Cert PG
135 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild violence and sex references
Until a couple of years ago, I hadn't witnessed a single version of Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet.
Now I have seen so many that I could quote lines from it.
The latest to hit the big screen is David Leveaux's Broadway theatre production, starring Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad as the star-crossed lovers.
This is Bloom as we have never seen him in a movie: I have always thought that he lacked spirit but here he is full of sparkling passion opposite an equally zestful Juliet.
They are complemented by some outstanding performances from Brent Carver as Friar Laurence, Jane Houdyshell as Nurse and my personal favourite, Christian Camargo, as Mercutio.
Interestingly, considering that Romeo And Juliet is arguably the most tragic of Shakespeare's play, there is much comedy is this modern-day version. This enables the ensemble and Camargo, in particular, to win over the audience.
But what really struck me about this production, apart from the fact that the Montagues are white and the Capulets are black, was the great vigour of the cast and the conviction in their delivery.
As a film buff and a theatre novice, I was gobsmacked at how they remembered their lines without the benefit of a director shouting 'cut'.
For those who don't know the story - Romeo, a Montague, falls in love at first sight with Juliet, the daughter of his family's sworn enemy, the Capulets.
She immediately agrees to marry him but both realise that their kin will never accept the union.
Thus, they have started out on a path which can only end in disaster.
Most people will know the story but even if they do, I guarantee they will find this version utterly spellbinding. For me, more than two hours flashed by.
Laughs: A couple of chuckles
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 9/10