Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996) is a modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s iconic play. Set in the fictional Verona Beach, the film brings the age-old tragedy into a vibrant, contemporary world with guns, fast cars, and Hawaiian shirts, all while keeping Shakespeare’s original language intact. The result is a visually dynamic and bold take on the classic love story.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Feud Between the Montagues and Capulets

The film begins with a news anchor delivering the famous prologue: “Two households, both alike in dignity…” Immediately, we are thrust into the chaotic, gang-ridden streets of Verona Beach, where the Montague and Capulet families are engaged in a violent, ongoing feud. Both families are depicted as wealthy, powerful, and embroiled in turf wars. This urban backdrop is punctuated by wild action sequences, neon signs, and religious iconography.

Romeo Meets Juliet: The Masquerade Ball

Romeo (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is first introduced as a brooding young man, mourning his unrequited love for Rosaline. However, his life changes when he crashes a Capulet masquerade ball with his friends. At the ball, Romeo sees Juliet (Claire Danes) for the first time, and they instantly fall in love. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, and Luhrmann’s stylized directing adds to the dreamlike, fateful quality of their first encounter.

The Balcony Scene: Love Blossoms

In the famous balcony scene, Luhrmann brings his unique touch to the setting, placing the lovers around a glowing blue pool rather than a literal balcony. The setting accentuates the passion and urgency of their love. Despite knowing their families are enemies, Romeo and Juliet vow to be together, and their whirlwind romance begins. This scene is often regarded as one of the most beautiful and iconic moments of the film.

Mercutio’s Death: The Tragedy Begins

Romeo’s close friend Mercutio (Harold Perrineau) is one of the film’s most flamboyant and unforgettable characters, injecting humor and wild energy into the early scenes. However, tragedy strikes when a brawl between Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin) and Mercutio escalates. Mercutio is fatally wounded, despite Romeo’s attempt to break up the fight. His dying words, “A plague o’ both your houses,” foreshadow the doom that awaits both families. Romeo, in his grief and rage, kills Tybalt in retaliation.

The Secret Marriage and Exile

Following Tybalt’s death, Romeo is exiled from Verona Beach by the authorities. Before leaving, he secretly marries Juliet in a chapel, with the help of Father Laurence (Pete Postlethwaite). Their marriage, intended to unite the feuding families, only complicates the situation. Juliet is devastated by Romeo’s exile, and her father’s decision to marry her off to Paris puts her in an even more desperate position.

Juliet’s Plan: The Sleeping Potion

Desperate to avoid her arranged marriage to Paris, Juliet conspires with Father Laurence, who gives her a potion that will make her appear dead for 24 hours. The plan is for Romeo to retrieve her from the Capulet tomb after she awakens. However, fate intervenes when Romeo, unaware of the plan, hears of Juliet’s “death” and rushes back to Verona.

The Tragic Conclusion: Romeo and Juliet’s Death

The film’s final act takes place in the Capulet crypt. Romeo, believing Juliet is truly dead, drinks poison just moments before Juliet awakens from her potion-induced sleep. Their tragic reunion is heart-wrenching as Juliet, realizing what has happened, stabs herself to join Romeo in death. The film ends with the families finally confronting the consequences of their hatred, as the voiceover from the news anchor reiterates the tragic tale.

Movie Ending

The film stays true to Shakespeare’s original ending, with both Romeo and Juliet dying due to a series of tragic misunderstandings. The film closes with a sense of loss and futility as the Montagues and Capulets are left to mourn their children, though any reconciliation between the families is only implied.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

There are no post-credits scenes in Romeo + Juliet, fitting the somber tone of the film’s conclusion.

Type of Movie

Romeo + Juliet (1996) is a romantic drama and tragedy with modern action elements. It’s also a stylized Shakespeare adaptation that blends contemporary visuals and settings with the original Elizabethan dialogue, creating a unique mix of genres.

Cast

• Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo Montague
• Claire Danes as Juliet Capulet
• John Leguizamo as Tybalt Capulet
• Harold Perrineau as Mercutio
• Pete Postlethwaite as Father Laurence
• Paul Sorvino as Fulgencio Capulet
• Brian Dennehy as Ted Montague

Film Music and Composer

The film’s music is a standout feature, blending a variety of genres, from alternative rock to classical. The soundtrack includes songs by Radiohead, The Cardigans, Garbage, and Des’ree. One of the most memorable pieces is “Lovefool” by The Cardigans, which captures the youthful, reckless passion of the movie.

The score was composed by Nellee Hooper and Craig Armstrong, blending lush orchestral themes with contemporary electronic sounds to mirror the mix of classical and modern elements in the film.

Filming Locations

Most of Romeo + Juliet was filmed in Mexico City and the surrounding areas. Key scenes were shot in recognizable Mexican locations such as:

• Chapultepec Castle: Used for the grand Capulet mansion.
• Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral: The backdrop for the church scenes.
• Veracruz: Coastal shots that serve as the setting for Verona Beach.

These locations were vital in creating the film’s tropical, urban, and chaotic atmosphere, merging the vibrancy of Mexico with the fictional world of Verona Beach.

Awards and Nominations

The film received critical acclaim for its innovative style and performances, earning several nominations:

• Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
• BAFTA Award for Best Direction (Baz Luhrmann).
• Silver Bear for Leonardo DiCaprio at the Berlin Film Festival.
• MTV Movie Awards for Best Male Performance (Leonardo DiCaprio).

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Claire Danes was only 17 during filming, while DiCaprio was 21.
• Luhrmann famously used extensive pre-production rehearsals to help the actors adjust to Shakespearean dialogue while working in a modern setting.
• Several scenes were filmed guerrilla-style in public locations around Mexico City, resulting in occasional run-ins with real traffic and onlookers.

Inspirations and References

The film is a direct adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, but Luhrmann’s vision draws heavily from modern pop culture, MTV aesthetics, and even comic book-style visual storytelling.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There were no significant alternate endings, but some scenes were shortened or altered to maintain pacing. The ballroom scene, for example, originally had extended dialogue but was edited to focus more on the visual spectacle and the first meeting between Romeo and Juliet.

Book Adaptations and Differences

This film is a faithful adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, preserving the original dialogue while updating the setting. The modernized elements—guns replacing swords, cars in place of horses—are the main differences. The heart of the story remains true to the text.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting at the masquerade ball, set to Des’ree’s “Kissing You.”
• The poolside “balcony” scene where they declare their love.
• Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech, filled with frenetic energy.
• Romeo’s confrontation with Tybalt, leading to Mercutio’s tragic death.

Iconic Quotes

• Romeo: “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?”
• Juliet: “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?”
• Mercutio: “A plague o’ both your houses!”
• Juliet: “Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The guns used in the film are labeled with their Shakespearean names, like “Sword 9mm” to keep the original references intact.
• Religious imagery, particularly crosses and icons, appears throughout the film, symbolizing the mix of faith, fate, and the inevitable tragedy.
• The costume designs often reflect the characters’ personalities (e.g., Romeo as a knight and Juliet as an angel at the masquerade).

Trivia

• Natalie Portman was initially considered for the role of Juliet but was deemed too young to star opposite DiCaprio.
• Leonardo DiCaprio flew to Australia to convince Luhrmann to cast him as Romeo.
• The film’s visual style was heavily inspired by MTV music videos of the ’90s.

Why Watch?

You should watch Romeo + Juliet (1996) for its bold reimagining of Shakespeare—combining classical literature with modern pop culture aesthetics. It’s a perfect blend of intense performances, particularly by DiCaprio and Danes, and visually stunning, colorful direction.

Director’s Other Movies

• Moulin Rouge! (2001)
• The Great Gatsby (2013)
• Strictly Ballroom (1992)
• Australia (2008)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Moulin Rouge! (2001)
• The Great Gatsby (2013)
• A Knight’s Tale (2001)
• 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
• West Side Story (1961)