Though Willy Shakespeare’s name is in the title, the movie is really Baz Luhrmann’s visual creation. The words are Shakespeare’s but Luhrmann sets the scene in 1996 Miami Beach and cast Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the immortal symbols of romance.
Director Luhrmann uses Shakespeare’s original dialogue, but uses the setting (as mentioned) and the music of the time instead of setting the scene back in the past as most other versions do. To that degree you finds songs by Garbage, Everclear, Butthole Surfers, Radiohead, and many others on the soundtrack. The soundtrack was so popular that a second volume was released at the time.
So now we come around to the 10th Anniversary of Romeo + Juliet (as it appears on the CD) and they’ve released this version. Now holders of volumes 1 and 2 might not want to rush out and buy this one. It’s basically volume 1 with 5 bonus tracks. I had actually forgotten about volume 2, but in doing some research into the soundtrack found it online and it actually contains 4 of the 5 new tracks on it.
‘Introduction to Romeo,’ ‘Young Hearts Run Free (Ballroom Version)’ by Kym Mazelle, Harold Perrineau, and Paul Sorvino(!), ‘Kissing You (Instrumental)’ by Des’ree, and ‘When Doves Cry’ by Quindon Tarver are all on the volume 2 of the soundtrack. The only really new track is ‘Everybody’s Free (to wear sunscreen) [’07 mix]’ by Quindon Tarver.
If you’re a fan of the film, you’ll already have basically all but one track of this edition. So you’ll have to decide if it’s worth the upgrade for you. If you don’t have it then you’ll be able to have the best of both worlds, so buy away.
Personally, my favorite Shakespeare update is Ian McKellan’s Richard III, but Luhrmann’s is just as compelling and is sure to introduce younger minds to the Bard.
‘Romeo & Juliet (10th Anniversary Edition)’ is now available at Amazon . Visit the soundtrack database for more information and a complete track listing.
Your Talkback on this Story