Baz Luhrmanns Romeo And Juliet Review Film Studies Essay

Baz Luhrmanns Romeo And Juliet Review Film Studies EssayBaz Luhrmann brings a unique optical means to William Shakespe atomic number 18s renaissance tr elddy Romeo and Juliet. Set in a new-fashioned Verona Beach, Luhrmann sets the assertive and trendy tone of his adaptation within a decaying Miami City. at bottom minutes, the opening TV prologue hurls us into the tweed-hot intensity of the two struggle families, bombarding the earreach with chaotic action scenes and passion. Constructing an edgy and dynamic environment, his brash variation uses rapid cuts and erratic zooming techniques to create a comic strip vogue sequence against the multicultural backdrop of the graffiti scattered streets of Verona. though effective, the fidget of the camera becomes confusing, slicing the action into short, sharp images that buttocks mystify quite a than illuminate. Such fervent action so soon into the take aim is dizzying and unexpected. Luhrmann attracts the audience with his lively cinema style, speeding up the action to hype up the confrontation and the rivalry of the two families alongside an intense soundtrack of contemporary and favourite music. As a contemporary film director, Luhrmann clearly values the young audience who would usually only come into contact with Shakespeare in a school environment. This could explain the roaring energy of car engines and elaborate guns kinda of horses and swords professionally used in earlier productions.Encompassing the elegance of Shakespeares text, Luhrmann introduces the sense printed dealrs in a tender exchange of affectionate inwardness contact across the shimmering gentle of an aquarium. The correspond follow each new(prenominal) across the length of the glass in an enduring and delicately recent and romantic moment, capturing the innocence of the fated pair. Luhrmann creates a sensual and glamorously romantic standard atmosphere whenever the lovers meet alone. The balcony and swimming pool scene in p articular surrounds the pair in a glimmering sheen of water and light. Luhrmanns use of atmospheric lighting leaves the audience to swoon, drinking in the glow of the dreamy eyeball couple as they exchange their most iconic and enduring dialogue. Though their love is prohibited by tradition, ego and prejudice in the edict of Verona, Luhrmann exposes Shkespeares dramatic event to a contemporary world without limits, modernising the play with radical scenes of drug use, drag hassocks and public brawls. A couple so concern with the handed-down morals of their families in a world of law intermission and promiscuity comes as a stark contrast which at times, is unconvincing. As the audience enjoy the rowdy and loose morality at the Capulet Ball, it is initially somewhat difficult to believe that two young people in love would not act upon their passionate attraction. However, the undeniable peach tree of the couples love is infectious. As they lie in the church lit by thousands of candles, the beauty of Shakespeares romantic tale is undeniable in the soft, atmospheric style with which Luhrmann combines light and opulent religious design to glamorize the tragic scene in which the love affair comes to an end.The language used in this film is displace from the pages of Shakespeares text which is surprising and pleasing as the dialogue fits seamlessly into the style of the film. Luhrmann has stripped the dialogue right down the necessities in order to sell to a moneymaking(prenominal) younger audience who may not understand the complexities of the original dialogue. The bare bones of the text are delivered confidently, notably by friar Lawrence. Actor Pete Postlethwaites portrayal of the Friar as a new age herbalist gives the audience a glimpse of Shakespearean imagery and heartbeat as he optimistically agrees to marry the pair in a bid to turn the households rancour to pure love. Similarly, Harold Perrineaus portrayal of Mercutio adds an exotic and gari sh tempo to the film. Perrineau portrays him as entrancing and compelling, emphasising Shakespeares skilfully witty character, which becomes most moving during his speech before they are due at the house of Capulet. The evaporable style in which he presents this famous speech builds from a jolly and bawdy exchange with Romeo at the steps of a run-down theatre, to an fickle and passionate conclusion. Delivered naturally, Luhrmann heightens suspense by climaxing the speech with a furiously silken light and sound of a single firework. The audience are brought to a peak of tension and anticipation, unsure where this volatile character will suck in them next.As well as presenting an aggressively modern adaptation with the saddle horse and language of the play, Luhrmanns interpretation of Shakespeares tragedy is styled inventively by costume architect Kym Barrett. The clothing is eclectic and riotously colourful, complimenting the up-beat and psychedelic style of the film. Reflect ing the disposition of the characters, Kym Barrett executees the characters as a portrayal of their position in the society within the plot. The incompatible morality within the generations and conflicting traditions between the families is illustrated by the way they dress. The Capulet boys for instance, are urbane in smart and formal suits throughout the film, proudly reflecting their traditionalistic Latino heritage which Luhrmann portrays. Creating a contrast, the Montague boys are dressed in in truth casual beach shirts and board shorts, illustrating the less mature and jovial features of their characters. In a comparison to the younger members of the cast, the parental and authoritative figures are dressed in expensive and regal clothing, suggesting the traditional values of their society. Both women at the head of each household are seen to be dressed in the luxurious clothing typical of wives of influential men. As their wealth is illustrated in the elegance and glamour of their dress, the authority that their husbands hold within the city is excessively established. It is interesting to note that Luhrmann includes a modern style drag queen in this adaptation, dressed in a provocative and bold beady outfit. Though not unknown in the otherwise Shakespearean plays, cross dressing, most involve women dressing as men. Mercutios flamboyant style of dress at the Capulets ball is an expression of sexuality ineffectual to the plot, not a central theme to the resolution of the plot as in umpteen of Shakespeares plays. Luhrmann heightens the aesthetic sexuality in his film adaptation to attract a younger and more contemporary audience. The romantic characters of the film remain innocent. attired to reflect her youth, Clare Danes instils the naivety and youthfulness of Juliet in a modest white dress and plain style of hair and make-up. Similarly, Romeo reflects her adolescence and compliments her dress, choosing a simplex black suit and tie. Before they fall in love, the audience can pick up on their compatibility by the harmonizing styles of the lovers.The costumes and setting of the film amaze an up-beat and boldly elaborate overall vision. The audience are bombarded by an bald and lively interpretation complimented by an energetic soundtrack and attractive cast. Though improbably pleasing on the eye, Luhrmanns concentration on the aesthetics of the film does hand the story and dialogue for style. However, this interpretation of Shakespeares classic does bring renaissance drama into the 21st century. Luhrmann tells the story in an edgy and fast paced film which smashes the Shakespeares stereotype of stodgy, uninteresting plays that are difficult to understand.As a director, Baz Luhrmann revisits the play with enceinte attention, choosing to only leave out scenes that are really futile to the plot. This may be due to the audience his film is designed for, catering for the commercial audience who require more of the action a nd romance than the subtleties of Shakespeares dialogue. His style of order is sometimes intrusive, zooming in and speeding up the action in a way which draws the audience in, almost too close to the drama. His wild style of filming places the audience into the action immediately, which at times, particularly the opening scene, is noticeable and gaudy.This adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is significant in that only one other film edition is recognised with the same commercial acknowledgement. Franco Zeffirellis 1968 adaptation is a traditional take on the play, set in the 15th century rebirth period and filmed entirely in Italy. With only one other well-known film version of the play, Luhrmanns film has become an important alternate to the conventional style of renaissance drama. Largely shot in Mexico City, thither is a strong unapologetic ambience, giving the film more of an mental attitude than the traditional setting of Verona. Luhrmanns definitive rendition of the play is o utrageously swollen-headed and easy on the eye, opening the world of Shakespeare to a wider audience in a contemporary and brash interpretation that leaves the commercial audience missing more of Shakespeares compelling drama.