Romeo + Juliet
In modern times, in the city of Verona Beach, the Capulets and the Montagues are two rival business powers. The animosity of the older generation - Fulgencio (Paul Sorvino) and Gloria Capulet (Diane Venora) and Ted (Brian Dennehy) and Caroline Montague (Christina Pickles) - is also felt by their younger relatives. While stopping for gas, the Montague boys - led by Benvolio (Dash Mihok), Romeo's cousin - come face to face with the Capulet boys - led by Tybalt (John Leguizamo), Juliet's cousin. The two gangs quickly strike up an argument, which escalades into a gun fight between Benvolio and Tybalt, who set fire to the petrol station and create chaos in the city. The Chief of Police, Captain Prince (Vondie Curtis-Hall), forces them to lay down their weapons. Captain Prince reprimands the boys, as well as Fulgencio and Ted, blaming them for three street brawls. He warns them that if such behaviour continues, their lives "shall pay the forfeit of peace."
Later, Caroline expresses her worry over Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio), who has been depressed. Benvolio agrees to talk to his cousin and determine what is bothering him. Romeo admits he is in love, but that the object of his affection, Rosaline, does not love him. Meanwhile, Dave Paris (Paul Rudd), son of the Governor and nominated 'Bachelor of the Year', meets with Fulgencio. Paris has his heart set on marrying Fulgencio's beautiful daughter Juliet (Claire Danes), but the Capulet patriarch thinks she is too young. Nevertheless, he invites Paris to a fancy dress party he is hosting that night. At the Capulet mansion, as she prepares herself for the party, Gloria tries to convince Juliet to accept Paris' marriage proposal, citing his many attributes, but she is not swayed.
That night, at Sycamore Grove, the Montague boys and Romeo (dressed as a knight) meet up with their friend Mercutio (Harold Perrineau), who has gotten them each a ticket to the Capulet party. Mercutio tries to convince Romeo to cheer up and come to the party (which Rosalie will also be attending), but his love-sick friend declines. Romeo tries to tell him of a dream he has had, but Mercutio makes fun of him. Romeo, although he has a bad feeling about the night ahead, takes a pill Mercutio gives him, and they all proceed to the Capulet mansion. However, the effects of the drug and the wild party overwhelm Romeo, who goes into the restroom to wash his face. There, while admiring the fish tank, he spots Juliet on the other side, dressed as a angel.
Unfortunately, before they can speak, Juliet's nurse (Miriam Margolyes) whisks her off to dance with Paris. Romeo follows her and is spotted by Tybalt, who vows to kill him for invading his family's home, but Fulgencio stops him, afraid he will make a scene in front of his friends. Romeo and Juliet sneak into an elevator and kiss, but are spotted by Gloria when the doors open. Once again her nurse drags Juliet away, revealing Romeo’s identity as a Montague at the same time Romeo realises Juliet is a Capulet. A stunned Romeo is pulled out of the party by Mercutio while Juliet watches from a balcony and Tybalt reiterates his vow to kill Romeo.
Romeo quickly escapes his friends and sneaks back to the mansion, hiding under Juliet’s balcony. Juliet emerges into the yard, not knowing he is there, proclaims her love for him, for the only thing that prevents them from being together is their names, and there is no meaning in a name. Entranced, Romeo sneaks up behind her, causing them both to fall into the pool. Juliet is horrified that he has risked death to return, but Romeo tells her if she loves him, he doesn’t care if he is caught, and the two kiss. Knowing her nurse is looking for her, Juliet tells him that if he truly loves her and wants to marry her, he must send word by the following day, and she will be his forever.
The next day, Romeo goes to visit Father Lawrence (Pete Postlethwaite), and tells him he wants to marry Juliet. The priest is at first concerned that Romeo’s love for Juliet will die as quickly as his love for Rosaline did, but quickly realizes that the marriage of a Capulet and a Montague would end the rivalry that is destroying the city, and agrees to marry the pair. Romeo passes the word onto Juliet’s nurse, and the star cross’d lovers are married that very afternoon, with the nurse and Romeo’s friend Balthasar (Jesse Bradford) as witnesses.
At the beach, Tybalt is looking for Romeo, but stumbles across Mercutio and the Montagues. Tybalt insults Mercutio and the two are about to draw their weapons when Romeo arrives. He is loath to fight Tybalt, now the two are kin, and attempts to make peace, but Tybalt will not hear of it, and begins to beat him up. Mercutio interferes and is about to kill Tybalt when Romeo stops him. However, Tybalt jumps up and stabs Mercutio, killing him. A grief stricken Romeo chases after the fleeing Tybalt, causing him to flip his car. Alive, but injured, Tybalt drags himself out of the wreck. Romeo picks up Tybalt’s gun and shoots, killing him. Balthasar and Romeo quickly flee the scene as the police arrive.
Captain Prince learns what has happened from Benvolio, and banishes Romeo from the city on pain of death. Romeo, hiding with Father Lawrence, claims to rather want to die than be banished. At the Capulet mansion, Juliet prays, horrified by what her beloved Romeo has done. However, when a guilt ridden Romeo climbs through her balcony, she kisses him, and the two have sex. Meanwhile, Fulgencio decides that Juliet will marry Paris the next Thursday.
The next morning, Romeo awakens and prepares to leave, even as Juliet begs him to stay. He concedes, confessing he would rather be there than anywhere else. But at that moment, Juliet’s nurse interrupts, telling them Gloria is on her way. Romeo climbs out the window and promises Juliet that he will see her again. Juliet learns that she has been promised to Paris. When she refuses, her father loses her temper and begins to push her around, telling her that if she does not obey and marry Paris, she will be disowned and thrown onto the streets.
Under the guise of taking confession, Juliet goes to see Father Lawrence. She implores him to help her, holding a gun to her own head and threatening to commit suicide. The priest proposes she fake her death, so she will put in the Capulet vault, to awaken 24 hours later. Meanwhile, Romeo will be told of the plot, sneak into the vault, and, once reunited; the two would travel to Mantua to start a new life. He then gives her the poison necessary to make her seem dead.
On Wednesday night, after saying goodbye to her mother, Juliet takes the poison and immediately collapses. As the priest predicted, she is found in the morning, declared dead, and placed in the Capulet vault. Balthasar is horrified when he finds out Juliet is dead, and goes immediately to tell Romeo, who had not been home when the messenger arrived with the letter telling him of the plan, and so had not received it.
Despite his banishment, a traumatised Romeo returns to Verona, where he buys himself the most deadly poison available. Meanwhile, Father Lawrence discovers that Romeo has no idea Juliet is still alive. Captain Prince chases after Romeo, who hides in the church where Juliet lies. Lying beside her lifeless body, Romeo proclaims his love and kisses her. But just as she awakens, he drinks the poison. The two kiss again before Romeo dies. Distraught, Juliet picks up Romeo's gun and shoots herself in the head. The two lovers are discovered, dead, in each other's arms.
