In a retelling of Shakespeare's original story, Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet (Clare Danes) struggle in their love for each other, despite the family's historical feud. The two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, both live in Verona amid strife for years. Romeo and his friends attempt to crash a party thrown by the Capulets, but Romeo sees young Juliet, the daughter of the patriarch of the Capulet family, and becomes enthralled. The pair meet and fall hopelessly in love, forced to hide their relationship from everyone around them. Both know that their families will never accept their relationship, and are forced to make hard decisions that will affect all of Verona.