Romeo and Julliet Review

Dear Todd Mccarthy,
I am writing to you in regards to the film review you wrote in variety magazine, about Baz Luhrmann’s version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. I often agreed with many of the points you made about the film, these were valid points which you made. Although on the other hand, on many occasions I was completely shocked and outraged at some of the things you said. You explained in your review "as irritating and glib as some of it may be, there is indisputably a strong vision here that has been worked out in considerable detail" summing up your firm opinion of the film. What I cannot understand is how you can say that the film is irritating when the film was able to make $144 million worldwide with its support from people.

Personally in my opinion I strongly disagree that the film was ‘ultimately saved by the manifestly indestructible qualities of the 400 year old play’. Baz Luhrmann was able to re-tell Shakespeare’s classic love story in more interesting, contemporary and exciting way. But at the same time as demonstrating this Luhrmann manages to keep the main, basic plot from Shakespeare’s play. By Luhrmann successful doing these things, he engages a wide range of audience, including teenagers, adults and elderly people. The contemporary style of the film that Luhrmann creates makes it easier for a modern day audience to grasp and relate to.

I also disagree that Baz Luhrmann’s film version does not ‘approach the emotional resonance of Frank Zeffrelli’s immensely popular screen version’.