Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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4 po in m What is the Shakespeari: modernized film,"Romeo an replace sword replace horses. A ing theaters ii Leonardo DiCap Claire Dan LIGHTS! m&EM REACTION! DANIEL BROWN Staff Writer ROMEO AND JULIET *** (out of four stars) fou have never really experienced the drama of Shakespeare until you have seen Romeo spray a hail of bullets on his archenemy while reciting a soliloquy in iambic pentameter. Adding anachronistic twists to an age-old play, director Baz Luhrmann brings his audience a sexy, fast-paced version of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Luhrmann immediately tears into the plot of his film as membersofthe warring Montague and Clsire Dsi Capulet families engage n t h 11 r in a blazing gunfight . m outside a gasoline ilUllBdiatei station. Once aildieilCI Luhrmann's new angle 0ipn!1nt inl to the Shakespearean eie9ant 11,1 classic is established, of Juliet, the director focuses the audience's attention on the tragic characters of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare's timeless story of "two, star-crossed lovers" is rejuvenated in the hands of Leonardo DiCaprio ("What's Get I and to W01 Sur no Mtfnigffflflurai i rfrn otion i result when in classics are I? In the new d Juliet", bullets Is and cool cars iudiences are visitn droves to see rio as Romeo and es as Juliet. Eating Gilbert Grape") as Romeo and Claire Danes ("My So Called Life") as Juliet. Their characters' passion force them to make the ultimate sacrifice of death for love. With the skillful direction of Baz Luhrmann, Shakespearean tragedy takes on a new face. The director's style is : J. .rrti: OA. 1 i eiiiimsieiii ui vyliver oiune s aim m Born Killers" and Quentin Tarantino's : "Pulp Fiction" with its high-speed film sequences, unusual camera angles and extravagant visuals. Luhrmann's decision to tackle this film in a modern environment allows him to address the issue of gang violence over the universal background of forbidden love. Although he ===?=ji realizes Shakespeare's .. ,tragedy defies the H8Sj Oil tne limits of time, he insists hand , on changing the setting v strikes the story to give his a Ufi#h film originality. " LeonardoDiCaprio terpretation gives a wonderful performance as the love-struck Romeo. Near the beginning of the movie, DiCaprio struggles with his lines, but as the plot progresses, he becomes more comfortable with the character and the script. Claire Danes, on the other hand, Direc Eart 11Y7 /; // \~S V V %/ V< "k as Account Exe^ nmer, Fall and Spi wspaper, Garnet & WUSC FM stude ET i i IB lilMUHHIin IBM immediately strikes the audience with her elegant interpretation of Juliet. Her tour-de-force performance makes her a promising young actress. One fault in the film, however, can be found between the opening sequence and Mercutio's death. With the exception of Romeo and Juliet's first encounter, this period seems to lack the momentum that drives the rest of the story. Because of this segment, the entire plot becomes slightly disjointed, and the flow of the movie stagnates. On the whole, Romeo and Juliet was a worthy effort by Baz Luhrmann. The film is a refreshing change of pace for audiences who have seen older versions of Shakespeare's tragedy too many times. With a brilliant young cast and a talented director, Romeo and Juliet will be sure to please both young and old viewers alike. t Sale i Extr %ble tv cutives for Student ing semesters. Sell ? Black Quarterly st nt radio and earn o -i# fin. eg Student Media c. ;udent magazine and underw ommission plus great experi* X % Y i Advertising J Y. Lg&i k^^^^g|i'-^^//'i',.-7%^. \*a' '.^ N^fl v v Hp '^^igiir--^i ,^HIH>?"^ IP l&i*'^ ^ ^ *** ' HPr JMP is Experi a Money <ork expei Media Advertising. Positions advertising for The Gamecoc Friday, November 8,1996 IbBPPW^ ^m ^^wwpw| Photos Special to The Gamecock I Leonardo DiCaprlo is Romeo and Claire Danes Is Juliet in the adaption of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." The film uses the original language from the play. Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love despite the feud between their families (above). Later, Romeo takes a hostage while escaping the police (right). Baz Luhrmann directs the film. ence ) Hence! available for :k student Titing for ?nce.