In this essay, I will be assessing Baz Luhrmann's contemporary interpretation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I will be focusing on the meeting of Romeo and Juliet, played by Leonardo Dicaprio and Claire Danes respectively. I'll be contemplating how and why it makes it such a successful film, and why using certain settings and costumes can make such an impact on our perspective of the scenes. I will be commenting on how Luhrmann has interpreted the script so it fits in with contemporary America, but kept the use of Shakespearean language throughout. He also pays homage to many modern films, such as Grease, Hawaii 50 and James Bond. The range of genres makes the film open to a wider audience, as it has comedy, violence and drama, and it is not purely aimed at people interested in dated plays. They chose the actors because they are well known to the younger generation, making us more willing to see the film, even if we are not interested in Shakespeare.
The first time we glimpse Juliet, she is head down in a sink of water. Her hair is floating, and her eyes are wide open. The whole image gives us the idea that she has a certain purity about her, and with her hair floating on the water it suggests that a lot of her image is to do with beauty and sexuality. However, she could also almost look dead, with her pale skin, and staring eyes, maybe to mirror the conclusion of the film. The camera is in a very unusual position, facing upwards from the base of the sink. She is wearing no makeup, and is looking very innocent and oblivious to her surroundings outside of the water.
A little while before we see Romeo and Juliet's debut meeting, we see Romeo in a position, resembling Juliet in her initial appearance. He also, has his head in a sink of water. He has just come up from a party in the Capulet (Juliet's) household, and he is very much stoned, so he refreshes his face to try and stop himself hallucinating. His hair floats and his eyes are open, and the camera is still facing up onto his face, showing similarity to Juliet's. This is a subtle link between them, expressing their similarity, before they have even glimpsed each other for the first time.
A while later, he emerges from his refreshment, and turns to face a grand fish tank, on the opposite wall. He is mystified, yet intrigued by all the tropical fish, their beautiful surroundings and their home. Juliet is on the other side of the tank, and this is where they first set eyes on each other. The camera angles are excellent in this scene, switching to and fro from the two lovers, and in some of them, the camera is actually in the fish tank, and we get to view both Romeo and Juliet at the same time. ...
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A while later, he emerges from his refreshment, and turns to face a grand fish tank, on the opposite wall. He is mystified, yet intrigued by all the tropical fish, their beautiful surroundings and their home. Juliet is on the other side of the tank, and this is where they first set eyes on each other. The camera angles are excellent in this scene, switching to and fro from the two lovers, and in some of them, the camera is actually in the fish tank, and we get to view both Romeo and Juliet at the same time. All the music from the party down stairs has gone, with a magical silence, only broken by a light tune unlike the mad atmosphere down stairs. They stare at each other intensely, and then they both break into a smile, sensing the immediate attraction between them. When Romeo stares at her, an angelfish swims by, implying that something was about to happen with Juliet, be it just an attraction, or true love. When one looked through the glass and water at the other, the others face was slightly distorted, maybe suggesting surrealism. All the colours in the scene are very calm, and the choice of using a fish tank to intercept their first meeting makes it very magical, because it is a very unusual place to meet. Also, the use of animals in the scene makes it more beautiful, and intriguing, because you are not just focusing all your attention on the lovers, you have other moving items to relocate your view on. In my opinion, it is the most spectacular, and moving scene in the film, because it has been made so well. There is not much going on in the scene, but that's what makes it so special. It puts the feelings of Romeo and Juliet across without the need for words, and their personalities; from their clothing, to their body gestures and movements.
The world around them is completely different to the one that they are caught up in. Theirs is filled with love, dreams, and is so pure. The world outside theirs is filled with greed and hate. This relates to the fighting and rivalry relationship between the two families. The water in this scene really completes the atmosphere between the two lovers, as it is so calm and beautiful.
Romeo had come as a knight to the party, which really reflects his character and personality, and Juliet has come as an angel. They are both very simple but effective outfits, and they are a perfect match for each other. Romeo is the hero that has come to save the angel, and the angel will only accept the purest of gentlemen. Romeo is trying to save an innocent soul, and nothing is more innocent that an angel. White is a colour normally associated with purity and innocence. The rest of her family are wearing dark, heavy make-up, however she is in the minority because she is not. This suggests that she does not hide her true feelings, and we can relate to her, because we can feel what she is going through. Both the characters are portrayed like this the whole way through the film, and this is a very clever way of Luhmann to get this across to the audience early on.
She is taken by her maid to dance with Paris, her soon to be husband. He is dressed as an astronaut, another feature showing how the play has been modernised. It is not a particularly romantic outfit, and he is dancing strangely. This implies to the audience that because an astronaut and an angel are not well suited, Paris and Juliet are not a good match, however a knight is perfect. The lovers both laugh whilst Juliet is dancing with Paris, showing that they both acquire the same sense of humour. The camera flicks to and fro from the lovers, and then Romeo pulls her into a lift. The camera spins fast, and they kiss. It is a spare of the moment thing, and they are rebelling against everyone who thinks Juliet and Paris should get married. They are almost protesting, declaring that Juliet is not going to do what is expected of her, to marry the man her family have chosen for her, and should be allowed to marry whoever she desires.
The cinematography that Luhrmann uses works well as we see what is happening at the party from many different angles. This helps the audience to believe that it is real, and feel involved with the intensity of the scene. The camera shots Luhrmann uses fit in well with the film, for example in the lift when the lovers share their first kiss. The audience are able to see the expressions on the lovers' faces and it creates an atmosphere in the lift, with all the quick shots and fast movements of the lovers.
The swimming pool scene is a very interesting scene, and it is just after the party. They both fall into the pool, still dressed in their costumes. There is an underwater camera, and it is silent, and they share a passionate kiss, and a loving embrace. Romeo's hair is all swept back, and Juliet's is spread all over her shoulders and back. This suggests that their sexuality is very strong at this particular moment, as long hair suggests a lot of femininity, especially as its all floating about. Also, their clothes are clinging to them, which could cause more attraction to each other in many ways. There is a fountain in the background, and up lighters all along the ground around the pool, setting a very romantic atmosphere. When she hears the security guard coming, she arises out of the water, and pushes Romeo down to hide him from view, as what they are doing is strictly forbidden. This implies that when they are in the water together, they are all alone; no one else can meddle or trespass in to their secret world.
My conclusion is that I feel Baz Luhrmann's interpretation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has been an excellent success. It has proved that Shakespearean language can be used in any setting, and it is interesting when you understand what it is about. Luhrmann has kept the magic from the original version because he has kept many of the themes and settings that Shakespeare used, and I feel that this is important because Shakespeare is Britain's greatest ever playwright. Our perspective of the entire play has been changed totally by modernising a script that was performed over 500 years ago.
Romeo and Juliet Alice Digby 10J
English 13/10/2007
