Romeo + Juliet directed by Baz Luhrmann

Based on Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Twentieth Century Fox (1996)

120 minutes

Vewing Level: 14 and up.

Summary:

In this abridged modernization of Shakespeare’s work, Baz Luhrmann sets the stage for a charged rendition of two feuding families whose respective son and daughter fall tragically in love. The Montagues and the Capulets are sworn enemies whose families spew their hatred for each other by fighting on the streets. The film starts with Samson, Tybalt, and Gregory, who are Capulets, fighting with Balthasar, Abraham, and Benvolio, who are Montagues. The quick-cutting editing style, which could be called “MTV editing,” sets the pace for this breakneck film. The confrontation ends with police intervention and a very aggravated mayor. Later that night, at a party thrown by the Capulet’s, Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love. The ensuing events include their union and secret marriage. Romeo slays Tybalt and is sent away, and Juliet will be forced to marry Paris, a bore. Coupled with a helpful nanny and the priest, there can be no happy ending for the two lovebirds of warring families. This fast-paced film only slows at the pivotal moments where Romeo and Juliet, as well as the audience, fall in love with each other.

Critical Evaluation:

In this abridged modernization of the William Shakespeare play, Baz Luhrmann manages to create an eye-popping, dazzling film that brings the story of Romeo and Juliet to life for both teens and adults. The visual imagery is what brings in the younger audience. If the filmmakers would have kept the original location of Verona instead of adding the backdrop of Los Angeles and Venice Beach, teens may not have found this film as titillating, and therefore their interest would have waned. This is also true for the modernization of swords and knives to guns labeled “sword” and “dagger” which seem to be used as accurately as stage fighting of actual swords and daggers. One of the best parts of the film is the masquerade ball where the viewer is able to see each character’s identity through their costumes. Juliet as an angel glows of innocence, and Romeo as a knight can be viewed as a protector or a knight in search for his love, which he finds at the party. Juliet’s mother as Cleopatra is a manifestation of the love of royalty that she has as she wishes to marry her daughter off to a prince. My favorites are Tybalt as the devil and his cronies as skeletons. The only murder in the play is at Tybalt’s hand, so he becomes the literal embodiment of death.

Reader’s Annotation:

To experience Shakespeare in eye-popping color and electric editing, see Baz Luhrmann’s
Romeo + Juliet. Immerse yourself in the tale of star-crossed lovers who did not have
a chance to enjoy the destiny that awaited them.

Author Biography:

Baz Luhrmann is a prolific writer/producer/director who was born in Sydney, Australia. He attended the National Institute of Dramatic Arts and started his film career with Strictly Ballroom (1992), which he followed up with Romeo + Juliet. His other film, Moulin Rouge, also depicts a beautiful and colorful, yet dark look of a decadent nightclub. Luhrmann’s next film is an adaptation of The Great Gatsby, which should enrapture audiences like his previous films, as well as lead viewers into re-reading the great classic.

William Shakespeare is said to have written 38 plays in his short life of 52 years. He is widely read by all and considered to be one of the greatest authors in the world. He is known for his comedic sequences and concurrent plotlines, as well as for continually transitioning from comedy to tragedy. Another vast area of study for historians is to pay close attention to the style in which Shakespeare wrote. He started writing in the conventional style of the day which eventually led to the use of stylized language and then to a more “natural poetry. He increasingly turned his metaphors and images to the needs of the drama itself” (Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare). No one can guess how much more he might have written had he not died at such a young age, but fortunately his works survive and are studied throughout the world. 

Genre: Romantic Tragedy

Curriculum Ties: This title can be used to give a visual context after reading the play
in an English class, though a parental notification may be needed for the violence.

Booktalking Ideas:

- How the play and film differ. Strong points and weak points.
- How the film did or did not make the play “come alive.”

Read-Alikes: (and View Alikes):
- Moulin Rouge directed by Baz Luhrmann
- The complete works of William Shakespeare such as
Hamlet, Othello, and A Midsummer’s Night Dream.

Challenge Issue:

The violence and suicide of a teenage couple could be called into question, but because it is based on a Shakespeare play I don’t think there are many parents who will be surprised by this film’s content since it follows the play so closely. The lessons of compassion and tolerance for others should be at the forefront of any discussion. The entire play is based on a rivalry, but if the two families could have come to an agreement, their cherished children’s lives would not have ended in tragedy.

Reason to include in blog:

When I was in high school, Shakespeare was a bit dull for me until it was brought to life by Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet. I think Luhrmann’s vision is a much more up-to-date take on Shakespeare. With its quick-cutting style of editing, colorful sets, and vibrant music, it will excite teens and give them a sense of understanding what they just read. Seeing Shakespeare acted out is one of the best ways to put the strong use of language out where teens and adults can both appreciate and understand one of the greatest writers who ever wrote.

 

References:

Alchin, L. (2005). William Shakespeare info (the Complete Works online).

Retrieved from http://www.william-shakespeare.info/

Baz Luhrmann. (2010). In The New York Times.  Retrieved from

http://movies.nytimes.com/person/100353/Baz-Luhrmann           

Modern Film Adaptations of Shakespeare.  (n.d.). In AFI. Retrieved from

http://www.fathom.com/course/28701907/session3.html  

Martinelli, G. (Producer), & Luhrmann, B. (Director, Producer). (1996).
      Romeo + Juliet. [Motion Picture]. United States: Twentieth Century Fox.

William Shakespeare. (2011). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare