Romeo + Juliet (1996)

What’s the difference between Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film Romeo + Juliet (also known as William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet), Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 version (starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey), and George Cukor’s 1936 adaptation (with Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer)? For starters, the latter one doesn’t have a lot of flesh flashing. Also, Baz’s flick updates the traditional Verona setting to Verona Beach, where the Montagues and the Capulets are locked in a bullet-ridden battle. Yes, this modern retelling incorporates guns rather than knives yet it retains the play’s original language. By blending the Bard’s verse with explosive action and teen stars (Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes) in the titular roles, Mr. Luhrmann delivers a screen adaptation that can actually keep junior high students awake in class. The movie also features contemporary music (The Cardigans, Everclear, Garbage, Radiohead, The Wannadies); a strong supporting cast (Brian Dennehy, Dash Mihok, Jamie Kennedy, Paul Sorvino); and Mr. DiCaprio’s pretty skin. In one scene, the rising star may make the members on audience members rise when he dons white boxers and nothing else while in bed with Ms. Danes. In other words, seeing Leonardo bare his chest as Romeo may give you a boneo! No wonder the leads won Blockbuster Entertainment Awards and were nominated for Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards. Leo also picked up the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival. And this doesn’t even count the statuette Mr. Man has for the young stud in his pants!