What makes Baz Luhrmann’s film Romeo and Juliet memorable?

Baz Luhrmann an Australian director truly has got talent. His Romeo and Juliet released in 1996 is a unique adaptation of one of William Shakespeare’s finest plays. The classic love story is set now in modern Verona beach stays true to the original text. The film really brings light to how fantastic Shakespeare’s plays are and many would agree that it does him justice. With a star cast of Leonardo Di Caprio as Romeo and Clare Danes as Juliet the film is a true success. Key elements such as narrative, mise-en-scene, representations and soundtrack really do make it unforgettable.

Instant pure love is what Romeo and Juliet have and always will have. This powerful narrative conveys this perfectly. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall instantly in love but because of conflict between the two families their lives together can never be. Set in Verona Beach there is always trouble between the Capulets and Montagues the cause of their hatred we never know of. Knowing that they must be together Romeo and Juliet secretly marry with the help of Juliet’s nurse and Friar Lawrence. After the wedding by misfortunate timing Romeo finds himself in a feu

d with Tybalt the leader of the Capulets, by defending Romeo Mercutio his friend is slain and dies. Outraged that Mercutio is dead for he be only an innocent civilian and not part of the family conflict Romeo kills Tybalt and is then banished from Verona Beach.

The love theme “kissing you” from the film is a ballad. It Elizabethan equivalent would have been a sonnet. Unlike Mercutio the singer is dressed very plainly in white like Juliet. This song is also like a dirge, which again brings the idea of death.

Back at the Capulet mansion Juliet is told that she is to marry Dave Paris in an arranged wedding. Deeply disturbed by this Juliet goes to the friar and threatens to take her life rather than marry Paris. The friar then concocts an elaborate plan to stop the marriage to Paris and get Romeo and Juliet back together. Romeo receives no notice of this plan and because of accidents; mistimings and malevolent fate things turn out for the worst. Romeo and Juliet kill themselves and only in their deaths the conflict between the Capulets and Montagues is resolved.

In conclusion Baz Luhrmann has effectively made a memorable film. Romeo and Juliet explores many ideas of love, hate and evil. All of which we come across in everyday life. The story is a tragedy and there is no “ and they all lived happily ever after” but the true complexity of the story has been brought to light by this fantastic modern adaptation. It is true to say that a picture is more than a thousand words and the use of mise en scene and representations create this love story perfectly. The soundtrack also added the emotions felt by the characters throughout. Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet is a true success and it will be remembered for generations to come for bringing Shakespeare to life.

Juliet is floating in a bath and she looks as if she is drowning. Juliet is also dressed very plainly and in white, which emphasises innocence, her hair is left down and she wears little or no make-up. When meeting with Paris she wears a very cold formal outfit, which makes her look as if she were going to a funeral.

In the representations Romeo is supposed to be mature and Juliet innocent but it is the other way about. In the first representation Romeo is quiet he is drowning. At the party he takes of his mask to reveal his true self and in his first meeting with Juliet the fish tank is separating them. The fish also look out of place just like Romeo and Juliet are in the wrong place they are strange fish. The love between them is always in the eyes and the camera focuses on this.

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