Baz Lurhmans modernization of Shakespeares classic Romeo and Juliet Essay Example For Students

Baz Lurhmans modernization of Shakespeares classic Romeo and Juliet Essay Baz Lurhmans modernization of Shakespeares classic Romeo and Juliet was, in my opinion, very successful and brought Shakespeare to a whole new audience. He combines modern issues with Shakespearian language to great effect, resulting in a rather contemporary but very enjoyable film. The main difference between the play and the film is that instead of ancient Verona in Italy, the film is set on Verona beach in modern day America. At first the film seems strange as the play is set in the present era yet all the actors are speaking in Shakespearian dialect, but as the film continues this adds to the impressiveness and excitement of it. By casting young popular actors/actresses like Leonardo Di Caprio and Clare Danes Baz Lurhman has brought in a younger audience who would not otherwise go to see a work by William Shakespeare, and the fact that the film is set in modern America and has scenes of violence involving guns and fighting would draw in more of a male audience than if it was set in 16th Century England. I think that by incorporating modern issues such as homosexuality, drugs and violence he has made the film more relevant to todays society. In the film it was never openly stated that Mercutio was gay, but hints are made at his homosexuality when he dresses up as a woman and by his feelings towards Romeo; he certainly likes Romeo a lot-you could almost call it infatuation. Hallucinogenic drugs are taken by the Montague boys before the party; this brings in a modern twist to the story. Another modern perk to the film is the fighting between the Capulets and the Montagues, featuring guns-which can commonly be found on many American streets nowadays. Baz Lurhman has been very clever in the subtle connections he has implied between Shakespeares play and his version, for example in the fight scene he subconsciously plants the idea of fire in your mind as the camera focuses on the sign reading add more fuel to your fire; on the side of the guns the word sword was written, and of course swords were used instead of guns in the old version. Also on their guns each families coat of arms adorned the handle of the pistol. The camera picked up on each of these factors by zooming in while all other action in that scene was frozen for a few seconds. Another example of this is the number plates on the cars, as while the camera zooms in on them the background is still. The camera pauses at first by each of the main characters and families and displays their name, as if to tell you who is who and who belongs to which family. The cinematography in this film is stunning as the camera acts like a human eye; it looks all around, darts from scene to scene, often circles people and closes in on things of interest. The camera very much focuses on facial expressions at times, a good example of this is when Juliet has just watched Romeo drink the poison; the camera closes in on her face so that it almost covers the entire screen and focuses on the one tear slowly rolling down her cheek, or during the fight scene near the start, the camera slam zooms on their eyes. The camera also goes quite far away from the objects in more panoramic shot; like at the start when it flies over the town of Verona and also when Romeo learns that Juliet is dead, the camera spiralled away from him up into the sky. A lot of attention is paid to water in the film. Juliet is first seen underwater in the bath, Romeo and Juliet first see each other through a fish tank and during the balcony scene they are in the swimming pool for quite a while, the splash of the water breaks up the otherwise silent background. The lighting in the film was used to great effect; the fairy lights in the Capulet garden provided an illuminated background, Juliet was silhouetted against the light from the lift and light was often used to light or shade peoples faces. The flashing light at the start of the film showing clips of what is to come is to entice you to keep watching and to implant the images in your brain. Sound is another important aspect during this film, when Romeo is at the party and his head is spinning because of the drugs he takes everything around him becomes blurred and all the background sounds are merged together, silence is also used quite often, like in the death scene, when the church is deadly qu iet until the gunshot which kills Juliet shatters it. Drama Coursework - Development and evaluation of Disasters EssayRomeo continues with his lines until again Juliet speaks. Gazing out into the night she cries out O Romeo pausing to step forward, Romeo then she gets louder wherefore art thou Romeo?. Then desperately, as if searching for an answer she says Deny thy father, and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not , be but sworn my love, And Ill no longer be a Capulet. From under the balcony Romeo wonders to himself, and quietly whispers Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? As Juliet starts to say more, Romeo stands beneath the balcony silently listening to all that is said, Juliet continues talking as if trying to prove that it is only their names that stand in their way, as she gets more worked up she moans O! be some other name. Romeo has been listening to all this and walks out into the garden were he can be seen from the balcony and says in a trusting, hopeful voice I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and Ill be new baptizd; Henceforth I never will be Romeo. Juliet jumps in shock, she didnt see Romeo and a look of surprise spread over her face. He climbs up the wall to the balcony as Juliet nervously glances around in case anyone might come along, As they talk their words are fast and urgent as if they have no time left and must get everything crammed in. After they have talked for a while Juliet takes Romeo to one side and whispers with urgency and worry in her voice If they do see thee they will murder thee! Romeo coolly replies, gazing in to her eyes, Alack! There lies more peril in thine eye than twenty of their swords; look thou but sweet, And I am proof against their enmity. Juliet worries for Romeos life and wants him to leave, but Romeo is in love and with a look of adoration towards Juliet he simply states My life were better ended by their hate, Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love. Juliet continues on to say that if he is serious then to marry her, they part with a final kiss, and as Romeo disappears into the night Juliet looks out into the darkness with a look of contentment on her face. The play Romeo and Juliet is complex and difficult to stage. I would very much enjoy a chance to produce it in the theatre or as a film.