Welcome to ‘Underrated’ some analysis of the films ignored by the critics, that deserve more recognition. Often our opinions are half made up before we even begin watching a film, thanks to the overwhelming amount of critical opinion now available on cinema. Therefore, I hope to shed some much-needed light on the films neglected by widespread audiences.
It is of course Baz Luhrmann’s reimagination of
Shakespeare’s classic tale, inspired by the idea that it would be the kind of
work that Shakespeare would be making in the present day. Set in a modern
version of the city of Verona, featuring all of the iconic characters from one
of Shakespeare’s most loved tragedies. The film ultimately follows a similar
timeline to the original, with many fights, many squabbles and of course plenty
of love and tragedy to go around. Whether it is Mercutio vs Tybalt, or Father
Laurence against the two families, the Capulets and the Montagues are once
again at each other’s throats, all thanks to the unlikely union of Romeo
(Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet (Claire Danes). In the same vein as the old tale,
Romeo and Juliet meet at a party hosted by their two families (now represented
as two rival business firms), from this moment, their love story is only headed
for a tragic and doomed ending.
The film has
a vivid style and identity that has now become synonymous with the Baz Lurhmann
filmmaking style. Overwhelming the audience with colour thanks to its fast-paced
editing style and a number of eye-catching shots. Luhrmann makes the infamous Capulets
ball into an ostentatious event with every frame drenched in prosperity and
class. The music is flashy, and the tempo is fast. This frantic and intense filmmaking
style plunges the audience through the movie as the doomed lovers hurtle
towards their shocking destiny. Clearly Shakespeare, but hugely recognisable as
a Baz Luhrmann flick all the same.
Another
facet I find criminally underrated about Romeo + Juliet is it’s eccentric
and brilliantly stacked cast. Of course, on the surface, a young Leonardo DiCaprio
will always engulf the screen with his charm and effortless good looks, but it
is the strength of the supporting cast that takes the film to another level. From
John Leguizamo's brilliant portrayal as the deeply flawed and jealous Tybalt, to
the always wonderful Paul Rudd whose depiction of the ‘boy next door’ Dave Paris
is full of hopelessness and depth. Nevertheless, the film would surely not be
the same without Clare Danes as the film’s co-title character. Perfectly encompassing
the inherent goodness of the two characters, highlighting that amongst their
relationship and all of the fighting that it caused, it was only Romeo + Juliet
who really mattered. Something that the two families realised when it was all
too late to make a change.
A film with a diverse cast, story, and attitude, yet somehow
still feels underappreciated to me. Maybe people were initially turned off by
another reimagination of Shakespeare, but Baz Lurhmann has worked his Australian
magic into something fresh, exciting, and unique here. If you didn’t quite
enjoy it the first time, I can only urge you to give the film a second chance.
Shakespeare will always be timeless, it just needs the right person to come
along and interpret it in the most inventive way possible, this is what Baz
Lurhmann has done with Romeo + Juliet.
A bold choice to carry on with the old story’s Elizabethan dialogue, but one that always feels oddly coherent in the films modern setting. A different kind of film, but a film that is undoubtedly something fun to watch instead of the same Fast and Furious film year in, year out!
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