The film is set in a modern-day fictional city called Verona Beach and follows the story of two young lovers, Romeo Montague (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet Capulet (played by Claire Danes), whose families are locked in a bitter feud.
Despite the ongoing conflict between their families, Romeo and Juliet meet and fall deeply in love at first sight during a costume party hosted by the Capulets. They secretly marry the next day with the help of Friar Laurence (played by Pete Postlethwaite), hoping to unite their families and bring peace to Verona Beach.
However, their happiness is short-lived as violence erupts between the Montagues and the Capulets, leading to a series of tragic misunderstandings and fatal consequences. Romeo is banished from Verona Beach for killing Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt (played by John Leguizamo), in a fit of rage.
Desperate to be reunited with Romeo, Juliet seeks the help of Friar Laurence, who devises a plan to fake her death with a sleeping potion. However, Romeo does not receive the message about the plan and believes Juliet is truly dead when he sees her lying in the Capulet tomb.
Heartbroken, Romeo takes his own life beside Juliet’s lifeless body. Moments later, Juliet wakes up to find Romeo dead beside her and takes her own life with his dagger. Their tragic deaths finally bring an end to the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets, but at a devastating cost.
The film ends with the Montagues and the Capulets mourning the loss of their children as the sun rises over Verona Beach, symbolizing the tragic consequences of their long-standing feud.
“Romeo + Juliet” is praised for its bold visual style, inventive modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic play, and the performances of its lead actors. Baz Luhrmann’s imaginative direction, combined with the film’s stylish cinematography and eclectic soundtrack, has made it a beloved and influential interpretation of one of literature’s greatest love stories.