Modern Day Shakespeare

In fair Comp II class where we lay our scene.

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny…. To modernize or not to modernize,

That is the question that many film directors and playwrights have asked themselves. The decision to give William Shakespeare’s Romeo+Juliet a modern twist was made by director Baz Luhrmann in a 1996 version of this tragedy. To date, this is the most recent version of Romeo+Juliet, and in my opinion the best for many different reasons. The basis for my opinion is on a list of different qualities that are important to me as a movie viewer. How the movie was directed, awards won by the movie, and the obvious overall entertainment value that I personally had while watching it are all aspects that I took into consideration. This movie serves as an excellent educational resource. It appeals to those in our generation by modernizing itself with music by Radiohead, Everclear, and Garbage. [Entertainment Weekly, Nov 1997]. It also brings in young actors such as Claire Daines, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Leguizamo, and Paul Rudd. Baz Luhrmann, who has

Romeo Juliet was nominated for different awards by bringing together a production team of directors Baz Luhrmann and Gabriealla Martinelli, production designers Catherine Martin and Kym Barrett, and composer Nelee Hooper. Romeo+Juliet was nominated for the 1997 Academy Awards (Oscars); being the prestigious award that it is reaffirms my opinion of the movie. The movie was also nominated for Best Achievement in Art Direction, Achievement in Cinematography, and Achievement in Directing [ www.romeoandjuliet.com].

This movie has many qualities that make it useful from a student’s perspective, but can also be entertaining to a movie lover. The very first scene of the movie opens with exciting music and scenes of Verona, Italy. Within ten minutes of opening you are introduced to Benvolio Montague and Tybalt Capulet who engage in a gunfight that leads to a gas station exploding in the middle of the city. This is all very fast paced for the action lovers. The movie also encompasses passion and lust that is first brought out in a swimming pool. The young couples longing for one another has to be kept hidden throughout the movie, and this is appealing to the dramatic aspect. Lines like, “dost thou bit thou thumb at me”? And jokes about clothing and sexual innuendos are comedic. The final scene, where Juliet slightly moves her fingers before she fully awakens to touch Romeo’s cheek, is full of tragedy and drama. Not only is this is a great movie to watch to educate yourself about the play, but can also enjoyed for entertainment purposes.

Being able to grasp this play is a benefit to any student who has ever taken an English or Literature course. It is hard to find a high school or college student who has not been introduced to this Greek tragedy, in practically every English course William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet is on the agenda. This may be intimidating to students because the play dates back to the 1500’s and is written in old English. Even though Shakespeare was believed to be twenty-six years of age when he wrote the play, it is still confusing for students in the 21st century to understand. Lines like, “ But passion lends them to power, time means, to meet tempering extr

Some topics in this essay:
Tybalt Capulet, California’s Verona, Baz Luhrmann, English Shakespeare, Strictly Ballroom, Capulet Juliet, Capulet Juliet’s, Mass Media, Juliet Capulet, Shakespeare’s Act, baz luhrmann, william shakespeare’s, entertainment purposes, written english, student’s perspective, 1996 version, daughter capulet, greek tragedy, modern day, latent day,