The third major film adaptation of Shakespeare’s renowned eponymous tragedy, Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet uses the original Shakespearean English with a modern twist. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the doomed star-crossed lovers, this romantic drama has solidified itself as one of the best Shakespeare adaptations for its bold fusion of pop music, mafia aesthetics, and 90s teen culture. Moreover, Romeo + Juliet has been part of high school Shakespeare curriculums since its release, in part, because of how it brings to life his dense and clever wordplay.
This screening will be followed by a panel discussion with MU researchers. Free for Ragtag Cinema members.