Mancat Movie Monday - Romeo + Juliet

Kitties, I was very upset. My usual Friday Movie Review was interrupted! My mommy came home from work early on Thursday afternoon and didn't go to work all day on Friday because she had a severe migraine. I was so busy snuggling with her and purring for her to get better that I neglected my blog. However, I decided that was no reason to skip or delay my review . . . so today is MANCAT MOVIE MONDAY!

You may remember the family picture I had on my blog last Wednesday. Well, kitties, that picture was taken right before Mommy and Almost Dad LEFT ME to go to the Shakespeare Tavern to see Romeo and Juliet! I was one mad mancat. How could they leave me to see Shakespeare without me? ESPECIALLY the play that has my namesake in it?! Mommy explained to me that they don't let kitties in to see plays. I almost pulled out my "Igor Kittenovsky" disguise again, but then I remembered that seeing the play was mommy's Valentine's present to Almost Dad, and that we had the movie at home. So while they were gone, my sisters and I sat down with some temptations and a Dr Pepper I had Holly help sneak out of the fridge, and we watched "Romeo + Juliet."

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Directed By : Baz Luhrman

Written By: William Shakespeare (Play)

Craig Pearce (Screenplay)

Two households, both alike in dignity

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;

Whose misadventured piteous overthrows

Do with their death bury their parents' strife.

William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet Prologue

Kitties, if you can't sneak into a theatre to see the play performed live, this is the next best thing. While it is a more modern telling of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, the dialogue is straight from the original play. Although they use guns instead of swords, and Mercutio shows up to the infamous Capulet party in drag, the spirit of the play is still intact; in fact, this kitty reviewer dares to say that Shakespeare's work is actually enhanced by the modernization. Leonardo DiCaprio is a magnificent Romeo, and Claire Danes is a wonderfully luminescent Juliet. And as for Tybalt . . . well, John Leguizamo plays my namesake with verve and flair, a true Prince of Cats.

Tybalt

I have watched this movie many, many times with my mommy. There are parts that I can actually quote, like the prologue I added above. The ability of the actors in this film makes the sometimes incomprehensible Shakespearean dialogue easy to understand. Mercutio's death, and Romeo's subsequent killing of Tybalt, has never been portrayed with as much feeling as it is in this film, and when Romeo stands in the pouring rain crying to the heavens "I am fortune's fool!" it is hard for a kitty not to tear up in sympathy.

Romeo and Juliet Meet

There are parts of this movie to appeal to anyone. Ivy loves the very beginning, when the men of Capulet and Montague meet and have an altercation . . . she loves the comedy involved in the insults, and of course the ultimate explosion of the gas station. Holly loves it when Romeo climbs up to the balcony in order to sneak another peek at Juliet. My favorite parts are any of the fighting scenes . . . there is so much color and movement! My mommy's favorite scene is when Romeo and Juliet first see each other at the party . . . there are no words, only music, and yet no words need to be spoken; all of the wonder each feels is flawlessly expressed in their movement and faces.

Romeo and Juliet Kiss

I give this movie two paws up and an excited "chirp." This is definitely one of those movies that you must see . . . make sure your bean gets ready with pjs, a fuzzy blankie, yummy snacks, and plenty of tissue for the leaky eyes before you watch it together.

Happy Mancat Monday, Everykitty!