The paradoxical situation exists in ‘Fair Verona’. To Shakespearean and Elizabethan audiences, Verona was thought as a hot, sexy, violent Catholic country. There this unusual adaptation was filmed in Mexico, bringing in the violence and the importance of religion to full effect.
The prologue also tells us of how the problem is solved, the plot of the play, and what kind of play it is e.g. ‘A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life…’ the star-crossed lovers being Leonardo DiCaprio (Growing Pains) as Romeo and Claire Danes (My so called life) as Juliet.
There are many ways Luhrmann uses text, shot types, images and music in order to set the scene for the viewer. The newspaper articles with their bold headlines almost tell the story themselves, e.g. ‘3rd Civil Brawl’ and ‘Montague vs. Capulet’.
The voiceover for the prologue is emotionally powerful. The newsreader is a real anchorperson which has a great effect of realism for the audience, this adds to the effects given by the images displayed whilst the prologue is being read.
The ‘strife’ between both families is automatically shown in the images introducing the most important characters. This is shown by the looks upon each of the families’ faces. One of the main images brought across is to do with the importance of religion, this is captured by some of the fast chaotic shots is also seen whilst the prologue is being ‘broadcast’. Most of the shots are of the statue of the Virgin Mary and large catholic churches.
You would think this all very traditional for the likes of Shakespeare, but then you see how different the approach is to filming a traditional Shakespearean tragedy. The true rivalry and the difference between this adaptation and any other is definitely shown when you see both sides with Tybalt (a Capulet) and Benvolio (a Montague) battling it out, surrounded by armed troops and hovering helicopters!
The film is unlike any other in its category and definitely beats any other filmed attempt of Romeo + Juliet at originality, but what makes watching this unusual adaptation incredibly worth while? The modern theme is carried out throughout the film, although the characters do speak the actual dialogue written by Shakespeare. The modern theme allows the two families to be portrayed very well. The Montagues are portrayed as more laid back than the grandness of the Capulets. The Montagues (Romeo, his cousins and friends) still ‘hang out’ on street corners, wear Hawaiian shirts and smoke their cigarettes. Where as the Capulets have their large mansion complete with swimming pools and gardens as well as their overly expensive cars and accessories.
Also the film consists of some of Hollywood’s finest actors and actresses. A few are the likes of John Leguizamo as Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, Pete Postlethwaite as Father Laurence, Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as I have already mentioned.
The film is a must see blockbuster as it is definitely among the best starring well-known award winning actors and successfully scores high on points for originality!
