About:

Title: Romeo + Juliet
Released: 1996

Fix: Your Young Leo Obsession, Shakespeare, Cautionary Tales, Shameless Nostalgia
Platform: Netflix

Netflix Summary:

The bard’s dialogue remains intact in this modern take on William Shakespeare’s tragedy, as the children of two feuding families are drawn together.

FYA Summary:

You know you watched this in 1996, and you may have even experienced a certain sort of awakening while watching the young, brooding Leonardo DiCaprio make out with Claire Danes in a pool. You might still listen to the soundtrack (Garbage! Radiohead!). Baz Luhrmann’s supersaturated version of Shakespeare’s classic cautionary tale is a classic for anyone who came of age in the ’90s.

Familiar Faces:

Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo

Claire Danes as Juliet

John Leguizamo as Tybalt

What a soul patch.

Paul Rudd as Paris

Poor Paris, Juliet just wasn’t…over the moon for you.


BONUS RED CARPET PHOTOS: The hair! The clothing! The 90s were such a glorious time. I remember feeling sad because my hair would not do what Claire Danes’ achieved.

Couch-Sharing Capability: Medium

While the setting is updated, the script is Shakespeare’s original dialogue. It definitely makes it fun and accessible (at least in as much a play about horny kids killing themselves can be), but you need to focus to get the most out of it.

On the other hand…you might want to grab your best pals from middle school and run around your home screaming “I DO BITE MY THUMB, SIR.” It could really go either way.

Recommended Level of Inebriation: Medium to High

In case you are not a Bard purist, allow me to suggest the bare bones of a drinking game.

The Official FYA Romeo + Juliet Drinking Game

Take a sip whenever:

  • Leo looks moody.
  • Claire Danes gives the wide-eyed stare of a fawn in the woods.

Take a shot:

  • Paul Rudd appears on screen.
  • You internally marvel at how much better Paul Rudd has aged than Leo, or anyone on this planet, ever.

Chug (for I would never suggest you pour one out, unless it’s down your throat):

  • When someone dies.

Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Recommended

If, for some reason, you haven’t seen this adaptation, it’s worth seeing at least once. If, like me, you grew up not quite understanding what the hell Mercutio was putting on his tongue, hearken back to your more innocent days with a viewing, posthaste.