Romeo and Juliet film review

Review, Pages 5 (1012 words)

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Luhrmann has been able to direct this version of Romeo and Juliet just brilliantly. He has been able to combine the 16th century love story with a 21st century Californian gang warfare. He takes the play and deposits it in a modern Verona Beach, that is part Miami and part Mexico City. He has been able to achieve this by using fast cars with roaring engines that replace horses .The guns stand in for swords and daggers. The Shakespearean language has been applied but a modern style of acting has been used which makes it far easer for the modern viewer to understand.

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If the viewer cannot understand the language they are able to interpret what is happening by the way the actors are acting.

This film would suit all ages and both males and females; the men can look at the beautiful Juliet and the ladies can look at the handsome Romeo. People of the older generation are able to appreciate the talent of William Shakespeare whilst the younger generations are able to indulge in the battle scenes between the two gangs or maybe the modern comedy

In the petrol station scene at the start there is an example of some modern gang warfare between the Montague's and Capulet's.

The camera angles during the fight are sharp and fast. As the fighting starts, the urgency of the situation is demonstrated. As the two gangs shoot at each other the camera continuously focuses on the sign; 'Add more fuel to your fire -this is clever because it is demonstrating the action between the two gangs.

It is showing how they keep provoking each other to try to get as reaction. During the fight, the speed fluctuates a great deal, sometimes moving very fast with the movement of the camera (very erratic) and occasionally moving in slow motion. Although the editing makes this scene overall fast paced the camera centres on Tybalt several times, in slow motion, as he prepares to shoot. His movements are like a ritual, which it seems he has performed many times. Every distinct movement is exaggerated. His taking his jacket off then taking his gun out and kissing it.

The camera also focuses on his skills with the gun. He doesn't seem to be disturbed by the situation in the least. He seems very comfortable with the scenario and takes his time in every movement rather like a cat. In fact all the characters in this scene seem to have an exaggeration on their personalities. The Montague's are very scared but they try to increase the volume of their voice to cover the fact. The camera angles in this scene focus mainly on the facial expressions especially eye movements .The exaggerated actions of each of the characters. It also focuses on the little things like the engravements on the guns and the signs at the petrol station to emphasize what is going on at the petrol station and to allow the viewers to understand the situation immediately and also form opinions about each character swiftly.

As you can see the start of the film is action action action! It only calms down when Romeo and Juliet first come face-to-face, gazing at each other through the transparent panes of an aquarium while a love ballad plays in the background (as mentioned before). This I think is the most romantic scene in the play. This happens at the Capulet's fancy dress party after they have met; Juliet is dragged away and is forced to dance with another man. Luhrmann has very cleverly dressed him in a space suit to make him look ridiculous and 'goofy'. The Capulet boys were dressed in demonic clothes e.g. a skeleton outfit or maybe a devils outfit. This is good because even if you do not pick up on it then it does not really matter its just an extra Luhrmann has added

The soundtrack featured throughout the film provokes different feeling emotions. Kissing You by Des'ree is the love theme song and is played in times when Romeo and Juliet are together to emphasise the love and mystery of seduction is portrayed. I believe Luhrmann chose this style of string harmony music to put you in their emotions and to be inspired to be in love. The hip up-beat music such as Pretty Piece of Flesh by One Inch Punch creates a contrast to the slow romantic scenes which in turn relaxes and somewhat hypnotises you. The fast paced music scenes are emphasised with fast beat music which speed up the heart rate with immense tension.

There is a brilliant effect to do with the lighting when Romeo goes after Tybalt, it is in the dark of the night and the only light there is, is that of the moon giving everything a blue tint. The viewers find it hard to make out the scene. The reason for it being dark is the fact that Lurhman was trying to show the audience the world through Romeos' eyes, blinded in anger and moving in confusion. In this anger and confusion he kills Tybalt. It stays dark up until Romeo and Juliet see each other again. When he goes to Juliet's house the colour returns. It's like Juliet brings the colour to Romeos' life. As the colour changes, so does the atmosphere. The ambience becomes romantic. In fact in this film when there is a change in the scene the colour and lighting seem to change with it to suit its mood.

The use of ECU (extreme close up) is a very god means of communication emotion when Romeo and Juliet kiss for the first time its focuses entirely on them through the panel of the fish tank - it makes you personally feel like you are there and makes you feel the emotion that they are feeling.

Luhrmann's flamboyant direction pumps new life into a well-known, much-adapted tale. Does this mean Shakespeare will become fashionable and cool once again?