 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Romeo and Juliet
- Review Date: June 24, 2003
- PG
- Genre: Drama
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Wonderful, but a little too mature for some kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that four centuries haven't diminished the relevance of this tragic and brilliantly worded story, in which the examples of two feuding families drive home a fatal point. Still, teens may see the story as a glamorization of suicide and the subject is well worth discussing with them.
What's the story?
Franco Zeffirelli's ambitious production of ROMEO AND JULIET brought Shakespeare to the masses in 1968. He did it not by dumbing the play down, but by casting two talented unknowns, Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey (ages seventeen and fifteen, respectively) as the leads. Much like Titanic would thirty years later, Romeo and Juliet struck a chord with teenagers, who found its beautiful young stars' urgency and tragic plight irresistible. Shot in Italy, Zeffirelli's faithful production of the tragedy also features a very young Michael York as Tybalt.
Is it any good?
Unlike the peculiar travesty Romeo + Juliet, in which Leonardo DiCaprio and others spew Shakespeare's lines without understanding them, Zefirelli's performers breathe understanding into every ornate phrase, translating the sixteenth- century prose into something fresh and modern.
When Romeo first spies Juliet, you believe--even before he speaks--that he's irreparably in love. Their balcony scene is wonderfully passionate, and the finale all the more potent for Laurence Olivier's uncredited narration. (But a cautionary note to parents: Teens may see the story as a glamorization of suicide and the subject is well worth discussing with them.)
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's depiction of suicide.
Why do the two families hate one another?
How does the ending make you feel about love?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
HORRIBLE
This is an extremely weird show. I don't even see how people could like the play after seeing this film. We watched it in English and my teacher almost cried when everyone saw the sex scene. I wouldn't reccomend it and I would say that kids should probably stay away.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
One of the Best!
An incredible movie! It might be hard for a lot of kids to understand the language, but for the more mature high schoolers, this movie is pretty great!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
too many bad scenes
My English class at school watched this movie. It was pretty good except for the sex scenes they had in there. The had to show a back side of a man because they have no idea that we do not like that. They do commit suicide at the end. I don't recommend this movie for anyone under 16.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A WONDERFUL movie for mature tweens+
This film was rated before the "PG-13" rating was introduced, and in today's times would have been rated PG-13. The movie is well-acted, romantic, heartbreaking, and beautiful. The story of Romeo and Juliet is classic, and lovely. That being said, the social behavior is definitely an issue. Teens committing suicide and getting married very young (Juliet is only 14, Romeo is not much older)are disturbing. All is tasteflully done, and should not be an isssue for mature kids 11 and up. Kids 13 and up will get much more out of it though.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
bland obscene version
all right, im just going to say it. this is a horrible version of the movie. we watched it in my 9th grade english class, obviously because my teacher loved the older things. its just out of date. in the bed scene, where we see a naked romeo and a ful frontal juliet, a sub said "rewind it back". this is just perverted. the one with leonardo dicapprio is way better because there is almost no bad nudity.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I eagerly started ROMEO & JULIET with very high expectations, after reading scores of positive, nay, glowing reviews. However, this movie didn't impress me. Aside from decent performances by the two leads, the film has very little to offer by way of entertainment. Lots of colorful dialogue from the play is edited out, and many wonderful scenes in the first half are abridged. The majority of the second act consists of nothing but loud, obnoxious bawling and threats of suicide (and much of the bawling comes from Romeo, who I kept wishing would man up). Several characters, like the Nurse and Mercutio (who were two of the play's most charming characters), are just annoying in the film. Overall, the film comes across as banal and overstuffed. Even the exciting fight scenes are rendered terribly here. They are slow and seem like every inch is planned. The one exception to the banality of the film is the famous balcony scene, where the two young leads turn in sincere, naive, and inspiring performances that briefly gave me hope for the rest of the film. However, Romeo is reduced to a whiner, and Juliet becomes just a suicidal screamer. There is violence in the film, but it is very phony and I wouldn't be concerned with it. There is no profane language, but there are frequent light sexual innuendos. The sexual chemistry between Romeo and Juliet climaxes off-screen, but we see them waking the next morning. First, we see Romeo lying naked on the bed, then he gets up and stands nude in front of a window (we see the entire nude back of his body). He and Juliet then start to make out again, with him fondling and passionately kissing her bare breasts, which we see fully nude as she gets out of bed. Sorry, but I thought graphic nudity wasn't allowed in PG films. Lastly, the film culminates in suicide, which might be seen as glamorized. All in all, Romeo and Juliet is a waste of time. I really had hope for it, but it didn't come through.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Not for a young audience
this movie has a scene where the woman's breasts are very clearly visible, as well as the back side of a man. it should be rated 15+
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
first one at least was entertaining
this is a cheesy stupid movie. and i am at the most amused it is not rated R.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | book characters |
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Franco Zeffirelli |
| Cast: | Leonard Whiting, Michael York, Olivia Hussey |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 138 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 7, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | January 7, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | brief nudity and mature themes |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
