The movie is called Romeo+Juliet :) And agree it is a great version. I'm pretty sure it is supposed to take place in a fictionalized LA - "Verona Beach" is a clever play on "Venice beach" since it allows the characters to just say "Verona" like in the play.
Also Polansku's Macbeth, Coriolanus with Anthony Hopkins, and King Lear. . I think there's a Richard Briers version which was really excellent, though you may find others. And of course Olivier's famous Richard III.
Re:Shakespeare’s Genius Is Nonsense (2014)
by foxhedgehog on Saturday May 27, 2017 @09:31AM
(#14429977)
There are many reasons why I would recommend the zeffirelli version over this one.
The text is unchanged, but the setting is contemporary gangs in Florida (or California?). The on-screen action, as well as hearing the text spoken with all the right rhythm and emotion makes it much easier to get the meaning.
As for reading, I believe the Arden Edition are the best-regarded annotations. I somehow ended up playing Macbeth in College and spent hours with the text, but it takes a lot of effort to start enjoying all the nuances, and having to perform may have made it easier to stay motivated.
(also non-native English speaker)