The water within the tank looks very peaceful and innocent, possibly suggesting how they wish their love could be; it also looks very sensuous, we can connote that this demonstrated the deepness in which their love already has, the deepness of their connection. We see the way that Clare Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio look at each other, almost as though they wished this moment could have lasted for eternity; that the innocence and purity between their hearts in that small moment, where nothing else mattered to them, how important to them it was.
We can see that the fish tank actually acts as a barrier between the two of them. It stops them from standing next to each other, from fully connecting. It symbolises the walls between their two families, the war that keeps them apart, and eventually ends in tragedy.
During the party, we see many different costumes, the most obvious being Romeo and Juliet’s. They both show compatibility between the two of them. Juliet is wearing an angel costume showing her innocence and purity. Romeo is wearing a knight’s costume, showing nobility and honour. Juliet’s Mother comes to get her to dance with a man called Paris; Paris wants her to marry him. Her family think he would be a perfect match for her, but his costume definitely says differently. He is wearing an astronaut’s costume; this costume shows that he is slightly out in space, away from the rest of the world, possibly even self centred.
Tibalt does not want Romeo in his families’ house at all, especially not in his family; where as Romeo does not want violence! This shows more of Romeos’ nobility and honour. It also illustrates more of the barrier between Romeo and Juliet. It shows the side of their love that is forbidden.
As Juliet and Paris continue to dance, Juliet keeps laughing, laughing at the irony of her parents trying to set them up. She laughs at how incompatible they are. As she laughs, she keeps looking back over at Romeo, smiling all the time. Looking deep into his eyes, showing him the connection that she also feels.
When the song ends, Romeo walks back over to Juliet and declares his love for her. He takes her up the stairs and into the lift, there he kisses her. Juliet is very inexperienced with such a thing; she says ‘you kiss by the book’, suggesting she enjoyed it. The fact that he is the first man she has ever kissed shows another deep connection, it represents the true love she has for him. As they leave the lift, Lady Capulet (Juliet’s Mum), nearly catches them exiting together, they run back into the lift clarifying just how forbidden their love is, surely parents just want you to be happy?
As Juliet is dragged away by the nurse/carer, Romeo watches her go, then the realisation of who she actually is finally hits him and he is horrified to know the truth. When Juliet's maid tells her who he is, her face suddenly sinks, they both look at each other, they begin to see that maybe their fate, their love isn’t so pure, isn’t going to be so easy!
Mercutio takes Romeo out of the party, Juliet watches him leave in dismay. Romeo gets into the car, but he jumps out at the last minute, just before they drive through the gates. He begins to climb up the plants; he discovers that his armour is getting in the way, he removes the metal plating, this symbolises that his protection has been taken off, possibly by leaving his friends. It leaves him open to doing irrational things, and leaves him open to being hurt; he is willing to do so for love though. This portrays how pure his love for her is, that he is willing to be completely without any form of protection for her love to be returned.
Romeo describes her as his angel, referring back to her costume at the party. She is also wearing a white night dress, this marks out more of her innocence and purity, it shows her honesty.
As Romeo watches her come out of her the doors, she debates between the name of her father, and true love. She wants to stay loyal to her Father and her love, but the two are both conflicts of interest. Juliet wants to please her father but does not see what Romeo being a Montague has to do with anything. This really demonstrates the character of Juliet; it represents more of a barrier between her best interests.
As Romeo walks up to her and speaks to her, they both slip into the water, yet again the theme of water links the two of them. The water is very calm and shows the intensity of their love.
Throughout the film Juliet continues to wear her hair down, flowing freely, defining her sexuality. The definition of her sexuality shows a connection between the two of them again, but in a sexual way. The camera angles describe a struggle whilst Romeo is under water, suggesting that he may be trying to show the struggle Romeo and Juliet shall have later on during the film.
Elisabeth Underhay.
10H.
