Additionally, costume at “this ancient feast” of Capulet’s is interestingly selected by Luhrmann to comment further on the provocative nature of attraction..!
Dressed as such, his costume suggests power, wealth and royal status in keeping with his role in Act 1 scene 5 as the host to “welcome gentlemen” who loved his “dancing days” “girls” and the feast! However his stubborn, authoritative stance has led to an “ancient grudge” and refuses to have anyone “contrary” him.
Lady Capulet initially appears in revealing, figure-hugging corset, suspenders and boa. To her, “Age could not wither.” She approaches the guests at the feast with pride and success, clothed in gold, with her peacock feathered fan, dressed as Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. Her demeanour is flirtacious, as she is aiming to be what she’s not!
Perhaps the most provocative element in this key scene is contrasting music. There’s Mercutio, with his vibrant dancing and pelvic thrusts to the up beat, fast tempo, rhythmic song, “young hearts,” in keeping with Capulet’s desire to provide “unlooked for sport” and frenetic, good time. By contrast, Romeo and Juliet meet symbolically “through a fish tank of yellow and blue gliding, tropical fish against a musical background of “kissing you,” a soft leisurely, slow paced song, suggesting pure and cleanliness. It’s music which “smooth”[s] that which is “rough” in keeping with the holy imagery to describe their love.
Prepared as we are for violence right from Shakespeare’s prologue with the “grudge,” “rage,” “foes,” mutiny and even “death,” Baz Luhrmann’s version, similarly contains many hints of the parents “strife.”
“Fiery” Tybalt, the king of cats” is dressed in black and red colours, associated with “death” reminding me of the devil and the mafia. Even his horns and clenched metal teeth reinforce visually his violent intolerant nature as he “storm[s]” “to strike him dead I hold it not a sin,” seeing his “rapier”.
Using the original text and consequently Shakespearean language, the diction and tone adds tension and force to this scene. For example Tybalt’s sheering comment,
“A villain that is hither come in spite,
To scorn at our solemnity this night”
With its sibilance, echoes the satanic contempt. Also 85-91, with its pair of rhyming couplets suggests Tybalt’s determination to “finish” Romeo.
Visually, even Baz Luhrmann’s props reinforce the impending doom, matched by the low, sombre brass sounds. The Capulet insignia, of the lion and the crossed swords reminds me of Romeo and Juliet as the “star-crossed lovers.” Against the celebratory fireworks against a “dark” sky, our mind misgives, since the explosives evoke a mood of on coming destruction.
Like Shakespeare, Baz Luhrmann has made “this two hours traffic” on screen most entertaining especially with his choice of setting, in which he communicates so much visual information to us. Such as having this “ancient feast” of Capulet’s in his so called “great chamber” with its high roof, thick pillars, marble staircase and the constant use of the colour “gold” for instance, the silver and gold balloons, which suggests, power and wealth, yet we know from the proverb “all that glitters is not gold” and not to be taken in by appearances.
On the other hand, the nurse is very entertaining as well, as she is a larger than life, bustling and quite masculine – looking comic figured woman, in keeping with her rambling monologue in Act 1 scene 3, we find her entertaining as we recall nosey-parkers and meddlers such as Norris (Coronation Street), Peggy (Eastenders) and Betty (Emmerdale). The nurse, “cannot choose but laugh” and we with her; she “loves to hear [her] self talk” so amidst all the tension, the nurse’s character provides some light relief.
Even the contrasting camera angles/ movements make this scene highly engaging. We gather a small image/ thought of how some drugs react in our bodies as the camera shots are spinning and changing angles quite rapidly but the captured images are blurred or in a slower motion.
Also, the distancing shot when Romeo finds out that he is in love with a “loathed enemy” makes the scene highly engaging. Whereas when they were together, not knowing who each other were, the camera shots were close and quick but when they find out whom they really are, the camera slowly zooms out from each face as if they are growing apart or they disliking one another more each second.
Personally, at first I thought that this film was just another ordinary film but it’s not, it’s really good. An actual fact is that it is more about life than you would think, (as I learnt in class), its about war and conflict, having enemies for the sake of having an enemy, peace and relationships. I wouldn’t do anything differently if I had been the director. I think Baz Luhrmann did exactly what he intended to do, which was to “make this film provocative, violent and entertaining.” It changed the way I viewed Shakespeare’s play. I enjoyed this film even though I haven’t seen it all and I would definitely recommend it to others.
Rebecca Caldwell
