Baz Luhrmann's Film Techniques to Make Romeo and Juliet More Accessible to a Younger Audience
The story of Romeo and Juliet has been added to and adapted to over
the year's though different film productions, but none more
spectacular and popular as the 'Blockbuster' Luhrmann created.
Luhrmann turned an Elizabethan play into a modern day action packed
film all could relate to and understand.
Luhrmann turned a historical tragedy into an up-beat action packed
love story. Luhrmann had an enormous potential for the movie he was to
create, and also had confidence in making a success of it.
He chose cast for the film wisely, a handsome leading man 'Leonardo ...view middle of the document...
For instance one of them falls backwards into the car, and the way he
handles the lady hitting him over the head with a handbag. All aspects
of the film show imagery and the usage of costume to present a
character and the personality.
However, perhaps one of the most obvious uses of imagery is water. It
appears in all the key scene throughout it shows purity and clarity.
Romeo washes his face in water at the party, which clears his mind of
drugs and he sees Juliet in a clearer light. Romeo and Juliet's first
vision of each other are through a fish tank full of water. Water
could also be seen as an object to show fate working. When both
Mercutio and Tybalt die there is water very much present
(sea/fountain). The swimming pool, obviously full of water, is used in
a key part of Romeo and Juliet, a point where it could be make or
break for their relationship.
Despite the changes to the text to show imagery and meanings in visual
ways, there are some scenes that are changed with no reason other than
to be different. The balcony scene for example. Romeo no longer climbs
up to Juliet, but he climbs up to find the nurse. Juliet then comes
down in the lift, to the same level as Romeo, by the swimming pool.
Even so, she still can't see him, and even walks right past him while
busy talking to the stars. This change doesn't effect our
understanding at all, but is more exiting visually than the
traditional scene. Also, the use of the swimming pool into the scene
Baz Luhrmann has managed to add more freedom of movement to the
characters and the added tension of the security guard coming out to
look, the whole time Romeo has to hold his breath underwater as not to
be seen. Juliet then returns to her calling nurse in her room by the
stairs so she is permanently in the view of the camera, not splitting
up the action or speech by entering a lift. It also avoids repetition.
Also candles are used to show passionate feelings and the burning love
and romance,light was also very important in the death scene, the
hundreds of candles provided a heavenly atmosphere, and the steps look
like steps to heaven, and also making the whole scene look very
symmetrical. The neon signs on the sides of the seats leading up the
aisle draw your eye to the vocal point, which is the sleeping Juliet.
The white dress she is wearing and all the white around her symbolises
the wedding she never had, and the double bed she is laid upon
represents her marital bed. When Romeo arrives and lies on the bed
beside Juliet the camera shows lots of facial views, it shows him
crying for her, and ripping her ring off the chain on his neck and
putting it on her finger. Then as...
