In terms of mise-en-scene, sound has proved to play a critical role in conveying significance to some of the more important scenes. As a viewer, music is the one of the most essential forms of design we can experience. It not only fills the silence while characters aren't speaking, but it sets the tone for what is to come; we have an idea of what to expect but we don't know exactly what will happen, creating excitement. In one scene, Romeo and his friends crash the Capulet costume party while high on drugs, and as Romeo is walking through the mansion, everything is heightened; the music and chatter around the room seem to increase in speed and volume until suddenly Romeo's head is submerged underwater in a jump cut as he's calming himself down and everything is silent. Before he even rises, the slow, romantic music begins to play and the audience knows they're about to meet Juliet.
She is dressed as an angel and he as a knight in shining armor, implicitly portraying the concepts they possess for one another in the disguise of participation in a costume party. Of course, this was not the first or only time the directors intended to illustrate the importance of costume design in the film. For instance, violence was not as punishable in the 15 and 1600s as it is today, thus deeming it necessary to be armed at most times. However, it would be pretty unusual to carry around swords in the 90s, therefore making the switch to guns an appropriate one. This is one example of modernization in attempts to make the story more realistic for our day and age, despite the fact that it still isn't all that normal.
She is dressed as an angel and he as a knight in shining armor, implicitly portraying the concepts they possess for one another in the disguise of participation in a costume party. Of course, this was not the first or only time the directors intended to illustrate the importance of costume design in the film. For instance, violence was not as punishable in the 15 and 1600s as it is today, thus deeming it necessary to be armed at most times. However, it would be pretty unusual to carry around swords in the 90s, therefore making the switch to guns an appropriate one. This is one example of modernization in attempts to make the story more realistic for our day and age, despite the fact that it still isn't all that normal.
It also serves as a perfect example of verisimilitude in that it probably wouldn't happen in real life, but we don't even notice because it fits into the story so well. A better demonstration would be the elixir Juliet took to get out of her wedding to Paris. Although it did indirectly lead to her real death, it was a potion to only make her appear so. Does that sort of thing even exist? I don't know. And I didn't even care until I started writing this blog post.
Ultimately, there are definitely parts about this production that make you question its relevance. It is surely entertaining, in a hilariously exaggerated sort of way, but a movie is not made without more respect to its audience than that. Aside from the die-hard Shakespeare fans (me), who would even want to watch a remake of such an old play? Well, there's a reason Shakespeare is still so popular after all this time, not just in entertainment but in schools, as well. It is a classic love story, after all! Whether you fall for someone your parents hate, or mom and dad try to force you into doing something you would rather die than participate in, it's not difficult to find cultural pertinence in any aspect of this account.
Ultimately, there are definitely parts about this production that make you question its relevance. It is surely entertaining, in a hilariously exaggerated sort of way, but a movie is not made without more respect to its audience than that. Aside from the die-hard Shakespeare fans (me), who would even want to watch a remake of such an old play? Well, there's a reason Shakespeare is still so popular after all this time, not just in entertainment but in schools, as well. It is a classic love story, after all! Whether you fall for someone your parents hate, or mom and dad try to force you into doing something you would rather die than participate in, it's not difficult to find cultural pertinence in any aspect of this account.
References:
Barsam, Richard, and Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies. New York City: W. W.
Norton & Company, 2013. Print.
Luhrmann, Baz, dir. William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet. Screenplay by Craig
Pearce and Baz Luhrmann. Fox, 1996. Film.
Barsam, Richard, and Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies. New York City: W. W.
Norton & Company, 2013. Print.
Luhrmann, Baz, dir. William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet. Screenplay by Craig
Pearce and Baz Luhrmann. Fox, 1996. Film.