February is a month of love. It’s also a month of slushy roads, but it’s easier to find a movie with a romantic theme than a movie about road slush. So we’re picking Romeo + Juliet, the stylized Baz Luhrmann version starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes, as our movie of the month. (See the trailer here.) No, we don’t have a crush on Leo. It’s just a coincidence that this film comes on the heels of last month’s flick, Inception. And next month we’re focusing on the final season of Growing Pains. (If you get that joke, you watch too much early 90’s TV.)
This retelling of the tragic love story isn’t for everyone. Your parents and stuffy English teachers will probably hate it. The basic elements of the play are still there, but they're somewhat eclipsed by flashy visuals and over-the-top performances. But it’s these not-so-subtle changes that make the movie interesting. Instead of swords, the characters use guns. Instead of being set in Verona, Italy, the story takes place in Verona Beach, California. Instead of being mind-numbingly boring, it’s actually fun to watch. Or so I hope.
The truth is, I haven’t seen this movie since the mid-90’s, back when gas cost a nickel and Africa was still fused with South America. The film has a shaky, aggressive look to it, which further helps blur my memory. So watching it now will be like watching it for the first time. Only this time while I watch it, I won't be thinking to myself, "Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this movie could be stored on a thin plastic disc? And what does tongue kissing feel like?"
One thing I can’t forget, no matter how hard I try, is the irritating song “Lovefool,” by the Cardigans. Part of the eclectic movie soundtrack, this song was played in heavy rotation throughout the 90’s and 00’s, and could very well be the cause of the economic collapse.
On the bright side, the film’s director Baz “My Name Is Really Baz So Why Bother With a Nickname” Luhrmann asked Radiohead to compose a song for the end of the film, and the band recorded the haunting and wonderful “Exit Music (For a Film)” which was later released on their OK Computer album. So…yay!
Baz Luhrmann also directed Moulin Rouge, a movie I hate. Hate is a strong word, but it’s apt. My problem with Moulin Rouge was that it was all sizzle, no substance. Many yell at me, “Dan, that’s the point!” I stick my tongue out and make rude sounds as my retort. If I wanted to watch a fireworks display, I wouldn’t spend $10 on a movie and listen to Nicole Kidman slowly cough herself to death. Also, come up with you own songs! (Cast of Glee, I’m looking at you too.)
But Romeo + Juliet is based on a classic tragedy, so there’s substance behind the glitz and fairy wings. If it’s been a while since you’ve read the play, check out the SparkNotes. I know I will. Though I can talk about Hamlet for hours and hours and whisper about it for even longer, I’m not too familiar with Romeo and Juliet.
I had to read it in high school, but all I remember is that they die at the end, and that biting your thumb was a vulgar hand gesture in Shakespeare’s day. I also remember my teacher telling us that “Wherefore” means “Why.” And then Smartass Danny Bergstein raised his 9th grade hand and asked, “So if they needed to ask where the bus stop is, did they say, ‘Why is the bus stop?’ and sound like Dieter?” (Dieter was our foreign exchange student who spoke in English so broken it could give you a paper cut.) I didn’t get an A.
I also know there’s a character named Paris in the play, because that character is mentioned in Twilight. (I even drew his picture.) In the movie, he’s played by Paul Rudd. So…yay!
As usual, you should watch the film between now and the end of the month, when we’ll post a lovely discussion article where we can all fight about the style of the movie, the music, and whether the top in Inception fell. Watch along as I live-blog the movie on Facebook next Thursday, February 17th at 8 p.m. (EST), just in time for Second Valentine’s Day. I promise to be VERY obnoxious during the kissy parts.
This meeting of the SparkNotes Movie Club is adjourned until then. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Or as Dieter would say, “I go? Yes? Thank you?”
Poor Dieter!
Related post: The Top Fell! Let's Fight About Inception
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