DiCaprio next starred opposite Claire Danes in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (1996), an abridged modernization of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy, which retained the original Shakespearean dialogue. DiCaprio was initially unsure about another Romeo and Juliet adaptation, but at his father's suggestion, he agreed to examine Luhrmann's work more closely. DiCaprio and Luhrmann then spent a two-week workshop exchanging ideas, which led to the collaboration. Romeo + Juliet established DiCaprio as a leading Hollywood actor; according to film scholar Murray Pomerance, DiCaprio's newfound popularity helped the film become profitable only days after its release. Reviewing DiCaprio's early works, David Thomson of The Guardian called DiCaprio "a revelation" in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, "very moving" in This Boy's Life, "suitably desperate" in The Basketball Diaries and "a vital spark" in Romeo + Juliet. The latter earned DiCaprio a Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 1997 Berlin International Film Festival. He then portrayed a young man who has been committed to a mental asylum in Marvin's Room (1996), a family drama about two estranged sisters, played by Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton, who are reunited through tragedy. He played Hank, the troubled son of Streep's character. Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly praised "the deeply gifted DiCaprio" for holding his own against veteran actresses Keaton and Streep, describing the three as "full-bodied and so powerfully affecting that you're carried along on the pleasure of being in the presence of their extraordinary talent".
DiCaprio next starred opposite Claire Danes in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (1996) an abridged modernization of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy which retained the original Shakespearean dialogue DiCaprio was initially unsure about another Romeo and Juliet adaptation but at his father's suggestion he agreed to examine Luhrmann's work more closely DiCaprio and Luhrmann then spent a two-week workshop exchanging ideas which led to the collaboration Romeo + Juliet established DiCaprio as a leading Hollywood actor; according to film scholar Murray Pomerance DiCaprio's newfound popularity helped the film become profitable only days after its release Reviewing DiCaprio's early works David Thomson of The Guardian called DiCaprio "a revelation" in What's Eating Gilbert Grape "very moving" in This Boy's Life "suitably desperate" in The Basketball Diaries and "a vital spark" in Romeo + Juliet The latter earned DiCaprio a Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 1997 Berlin International Film Festival He then portrayed a young man who has been committed to a mental asylum in Marvin's Room (1996) a family drama about two estranged sisters played by Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton who are reunited through tragedy He played Hank the troubled son of Streep's character Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly praised "the deeply gifted DiCaprio" for holding his own against veteran actresses Keaton and Streep describing the three as "full-bodied and so powerfully affecting that you're carried along on the pleasure of being in the presence of their extraordinary talent"