Baz Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet - Essay Example

Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet (1996) Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet (1996) is a modernized adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic 1590s play Romeo and Juliet. Luhrmann’s version has transformed the original play from its medieval setting to create what has been described by Mc Carthy as an aggressively modern and assertively trendy adaptation of Shakespeare which has attracted criticism and acclaim in equal measure for the exaggeration of violence. However, is Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet a true and accurate depiction of the timeless love story? Does it capture the essence or convey the same emotion of Shakespeare’s original? To assess to what extent Luhrmann’s movie is representative of Shakespeare’s, the plot, setting, the film’s visual aesthetics and soundtrack shall be examined in this essay. In conclusion, it shall be argued to what extent Luhrmann’s adaptation addresses the concerns of Shakespeare’s original in a different and distinct time. The Plot Although Luhrmann’s production is set in the 1990s, the plot has a remarkably high level of congruence to that of Shakespeare. In comparison with Shakespeare’s original, the plot remains largely the same but there are major deviations used by Luhrmann in his updated version. Just as is in the original, the plot revolves around the tragedy of the two “star crossed lovers”, Romeo and Juliet, in the midst of the feud between their families the Montagues and the Capulets. The storyline is very similar to that of the classic beginning with a street brawl between the Montagues and the Capulets. In Luhrmann’s version, this takes place at a local gas station where a gun fight breaks out between Romeo and Juliet’s cousins-Bonvolio and Tybalt respectively- after the classic thumb-biting gesture. Luhrmann has modernizes the brawl scene from a street fight with sword to a chaotic gun fight which sets the gas station on fire- a typical 1990s movie feature. Luhrmann also incorporates a few twists into the plot to pace up the love story. At the Capulet party, for example, a dark skinned Mercutio played by Harrold Perrineau shows up as a drag queen. The meetings between Romeo and Juliet are also spiced up by the inclusion of an elevator romp at the party scene and in the swimming pool at the classic balcony scene where McCarthy argues that Luhrmann attempts to turn the reading of Shakespeare’s classic upside down in typical 1990s fashion. According to Gibbs, these scenes only serve to “amp up” the sexuality for its 1990s MTV-generation audience and keep the movie’s fast pace. Luhrmann also enhances the tragedy of some of the scenes such as the tragic twist at the end where Juliet comes to while Romeo takes the poison simultaneously. Luhrmann also goes contemporary with the plot by fitting in a few classic the “shoot them up” features from the 90s. These include a car chase after Mercutio’s death to represent Romeo’s slaying of the fleeing Tybalt. The helicopter and police car chase on Romeo near the end as he makes his way to the Capulet vault is also another 1990s addition. Other unique contemporary features include closed circuit television surveillance cameras as Romeo sneaks into the Capulet mansion which places the love story in the 1990s. The Setting While the original play is set in Verona, Italy, Luhrmann’s adaptation is set in Verona Beach-which according to Gibbs is meant to be a cunning adaptation of the original. Verona Beach is a modern sea side city which strikingly resembles modern day late 1990s Miami-but shot in New Mexico- with high rise buildings, gas stations, discos, hot dog stands and flashy vintage sports cars with roaring engines (Gibbs). Parts of Verona Beach are portrayed as a city ravaged by the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. In Luhrmann’s production, the Montagues and Capulets are two warring business empires, an update from the ruling style families in Shakespeare’s classic. Custom made handguns engraved with the bearer’s names replace the swords and daggers in the original. Gibbs notes that just as in was in the past, it was not strange for the youthful gangs to walk around with their swords as the Montague boys and the Capulets do with their guns holstered. The sophistication of the post cold war firearms places the production in the 1990s. In true gangland style, the Montague boys appear in casual and colorful Hawaiian beach shirts while in contrast the Capulets are donned in leather and suits with suspenders. Vintage sports cars with roaring engines replace the horses and live TV, a 90s feature, is used to announce the death of title characters in iambic pentameter. The choice of Verona Beach for the setting is also used to convey the effect of social decay on the tragedy that eventually befalls Romeo and Juliet. Parts of Verona Beach are ravaged by the senseless feud between the Montagues and Capulets. As shown by the apparent decay of buildings and social amenities such as an abandoned carnival by the beach and crumbling and blackened buildings. Verona Beach has also fallen prey to lawlessness. This is shown by the indifference of onlookers to brazen acts of violence such as in the scene where Tybalt kills Mercutio. They stand at a safe distance and stare and the revelers at the beach seem accustomed to publicly brandishing their firearms. The public brawls appear to have become commonplace and the Montague boys and the Capulets display their guns without fear of punishment- such as in the beach scene before Mercutio is murdered- brandishing them at will. It is against this background of social decay and the breakdown of the rule of law that Luhrmann bases the plot. Casting In Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet, the lead actors are Leonardo Di Caprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet. According to Berardinelli, the two lead actors suitably capture the role of the two ill-fated youthful lovers. The choice of Di Caprio, however, has come under criticism since Di Caprio seems uncomfortable at times reciting his lines in iambic pentameter. He seems to force out some lines. Claire Danes successfully brings out the youthful innocence of Juliet (Berardinelli). Romeo’s cousin Mercutio is played by the loud, charismatic and energetic Harrold Perrineau. Juliet’s’ cousin, Tybalt, is played by the slick Latino John Leguizamo. The casting of the lead characters is evidence that the movie is a 90s production due to the multicultural nature of the lead actors- Di Caprio is an American of Italian descent, Danes is an American, Leguizamo is of Puerto Rican and Colombian descent and Perrineau is of Afro-American descent. The multicultural nature of the cast reflects contemporary trends in filmmaking and it extends to even the supporting actors. Americans Paul Sorvino and Diane Venora are cast as Lord Capulet and his wife with the imposing Brian Dennehy as Lord Montague and English Christine Pickles as Caroline Montague. Others cast are English Miriam Margoyles as Juliet’s nurse, American Dash Mihok as Bonvolio, British-trained Pete Postlethwaite as Father Lawrence, Afro-American Vondie Curtis-Hall as Captain Prince and Jesse Bradford as Balthasar. Visual Effects Luhrmann uses bright and vibrant colors to enhance most of the scenes such as the colorful Hawaiian shirts and dyed hairstyles worn by the Montague boys and the rich mix of colors at the beach during Mercutio’s death scene. Film critic James Berardinelli refers to this as a “riotous splash” of colors. Then prominent use of the color blue in the swimming pool at the balcony scene has also been described by Gibbs as a montage for the love of Romeo and Juliet and the vibrant use of candles and light fixtures in the vault also creates a dramatic setting for the finale. Luhrmann has employed some modern special effects in the movie such as the rolling storm as when Mercutio succumbs to his injury and dies. Luhrmann also uses camera angles to enhance the dramatic experience. Camera angles and sudden cuts are used to dramatize the fight scenes. The camera angles such as those used in the wedding and in the crypt are used to enhance the drama. Angles are also used well in the car chases and the confrontation at the vault. This shows a recent or relatively advanced level of optical technology and places the movie in the late 1990s. Soundtrack In the movie, the range of soundtracks used has varied from soulful tunes by Des’ree to riotous and aggressive rock sounds. For instance, the theme for Romeo and Juliet-“Kissing You” by Des’ree- is played during the scene where Romeo and Juliet meet as Di Caprio stares at Danes through the aquarium. During the fight scenes, songs such as “#1 crush” by Garbage and "Whatever (I Had a Dream)" by Butthole Surfers are employed to enhance the gunfights and car chases which according to Berardinelli may confuse the viewer as to whether they are watching a rock video or a movie based on Shakespeare’s timeless romantic. The choice of soundtracks is used to bring out the different emotions of the various scenes. From the hate, rage and adrenalin of “Pretty Piece of Flesh” in the fight scenes to the moving and soulful R and B tunes of Quindon Tarver (“Everybody’s Free”) during the wedding scene. The soundtrack reflects the evolutionary trends of contemporary music. Garbage’s “#1 crush” was even nominated for an MTV music award in 1997. This places Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet in the late 1990s. Conclusion Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet (1996) is a modern day dramatization of William Shakespeare’s most famous play Romeo and Juliet. Luhrmann’s modernized production has transformed the original play from its classic setting of Verona, Italy to hip and modern Verona Beach where the tragedy of the two young lovers is set against the background of a gangland style feud between the two warring business empires- the Montagues and the Capulets. swords and daggers are swapped for customized guns, and street brawls are replaced by high octane action scenes such as gas station shoot-outs and fast paced car and helicopter chases. However, despite Luhrmann turning the play on its’ head, he has managed to retain the original plot, albeit with a few alterations to fit into the 20th century. He has retained the original Shakespeare lines, although the lead actor has some difficulty in pulling them off, and even incorporated them into a fast paced and high energy action scenes. His casting of Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes has received plaudits with critics hailing the choice of the youthful and innocent Danes as Juliet and the brash and impulsive Di Caprio as Romeo. The movie also uses fast camera cuts, stunning angles, and bright splashes of color to enhance the action scenes and paint the raw emotions of the romance and tragedy set against the background of either violent punk rock or soulful ballads. Having frequently been referred to as a movie for the MTV generation, Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet is a typical production of the 1990s. From the hip, urbane setting of Verona Beach with its fast cars, helicopters nightlife and high rise buildings to the dramatic police car and helicopter chases and camera cuts, Romeo and Juliet is a distinct production of the 1990s reflecting modern trends in filmmaking. Luhrmann captures the tragedy of the timeless classic caused by the senseless feud through use of the original Shakespearean script. He maintains the central theme of the story in true 20th century MTV fashion. From the ultra modern setting of Verona Beach, the multicultural cast, the modern visual effects, the diverse hippy and soulful soundtrack and the fast paced action, Luhrmann’s production is a distinct production of the 1990s. Works Cited Berardinelli, James. “Romeo and Juliet (1996)”. October 29, 2010. < http://www.reelviews.net/movies/r/romeo_juliet.html > Gibbs, Torri. Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" compared with Shakespeare's Original Work.” October 29, 2010. Mc Carthy ,Todd. “William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet”. October 29, 2010. < http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117911329.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 > Romeo and Juliet.  Dir. Baz Luhrmann.  Perf.  Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.  DVD.  Twentieth-Century Fox, 1996. Read More