Romeo and Juliet Success

The soundtrack was oddly another reason for the film’s success; two soundtracks were released as a result. Both where popular and sold sellers having went five times platinum and exploded in to the top five on almost every chart. A number of hit singles also resulted from the soundtrack, including “Lovefool” by The Cardigans, the love theme “Kissing you” by Des’ree and a cover of “Young Hearts Run Free” by Kym Mazelle. The soundtrack was much more popular than Franco Zefferli’s soundtrack which had Italian Singer Nino Rota as the voice of the soundtrack. The signature theme is still argued to this day but I believe “Kissing You” by Des-Ree is the signature theme as it was played in the main scenes, Des-Ree also made a cameo appearance at the Capulet’s party. The song also reflected the current mood that the character’s where in and the atmosphere surrounding them.

Luhrmann’s modernization of the classic is what is believed to have made the blockbuster one of the greatest films ever produced and obviously a huge success. Many people including myself found the modernization extraordinary, swords were replaced by guns, horses were replaced by cars, and the whole film was directed to a younger and more modern audience. Luhrmann made the film “urban” and he even managed to kill of the clique that Romeo and Juliet was just a “romantic” film by including action packed scenes that appealed to both genders. Costumes also added to the success as the outfits were generally more casual with Juliet wearing Jeans and a T-Shirt and the Montague clan I Hawaiian T-Shirts. The only aspect kept of the original was the Shakespearean Language, this was clever of Luhrmann was some critics believed Luhrmann could modernize the film to the point where it is unrealistic. This was arguably the first time a man watched a “Romeo and Juliet” film without feeling feminine, Luhrmann kept is word by creating a “funky” Shakespeare play.

Along with cast, costumes and the complete modernization, Camera Angles were another reason of why the film was a success, Luhrmann and his crew carefully edited the film and made sure there were no “spoofs”, the camera angles where excellent showing the character’s facial structure. The stunts performed where also made superbly and the crew managed to make the action scenes seem genuine. In Franco Zefferli’s version the camera angles where considerably poor and the editing team tended to avoid close up’s and shot most of the film from a distance. For one of the first times in film industry an under-water camera was used, the unique creation was used in both the famous pool scene and when the characters first laid eyes on each other from the fish tank. The amazing creation was used so viewers could see the character’s facial expressions and in particularly Romeo and Juliet’s eyes. The Cameras where just another aspect in the huge list of things that made Romeo and Juliet a success.

As the film premiered in the box office it seemed that all cast and crew “hit the big time”, The famous of “Leo-Mania” begun with Claire Danes being contacted for several upcoming huge films. The awards and nominations seemed to be never-ending with four Bafta wins including Best Director won by Baz Luhrmann and a Academy Award Nomination for Best Art Direction. Financially the film was very successful and making a whopping 147 million pounds in the Box Office. It was no doubt that after winning these awards the film was considered a success and one of the greatest film’s in Hollywood History.

Well after analyzing several aspects that contributed to Baz Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet’s success it seems that the success comes down to the complete modernization, A-list cast, amazing soundtrack and incredible editing. These various factors all contributed in some shape or form to Luhrmann’s highly successful remake of Shakespeare’s classic tale.