Romeo and Juliet the Film

Romeo and Juliet the Film

Baz Luhrmann’s innovative version of Romeo and Juliet has an important

part in changing peoples portrayal of what Shakespeare is originally

about. A modern stereotype of Shakespeare has made many readers think

that Shakespeare is boring as it was written 400 years ago.

The party mood is established in the opening shots of the scene by

different focuses on colour, music and camera angles. At the beginning

of the scene, people are firing guns. A number of establishing shots

are used at the beginning of the scene to show the audience the

setting of the scene. The diagetic sound of the gunshots and fireworks

are muffled by the non-diagetic sound of raucous music. By using this

concoction of sound and camera angles it introduces the audience to

the corrupt household of the Capulets. In the play guns represent

death therefore foreboding what is going to happen later on in the

play. The audience know what to expect by the wild mood at the

beginning of the party. As the scene progresses the audience is

introduced to the Capulet mansion. Quick series of ‘cuts’ make the

party pacey. The scenes meant to be like this as the events of the

party are mirrored by Romeos mood. The party scene is guaranteed to

have an impact on the viewer. The music that commences at the

beginning of the party scene is upbeat, fast paced, Latino music

(Young hearts run free) this establishes the mood as the pace of music

matches with the movements and atmosphere in the party. This gives the

audience the impression that they are a part of the party. The

establishing shot is a long shot, which shows all the party guests and

their decaden...

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high angle shot to make Romeo look secluded and helpless and makes the

audience feel powerful and in control of Romeos feelings. Contrasting

this is the shot used at Juliet. A low angle shot is portrayed to show

Juliet’s understanding of the conflict. This type of shot makes the

audience feel vulnerable and know of Juliet’s understanding and sorrow

for Romeo.

The Romeo and Juliet party scene as a whole has effective

presentations that would make the audience have a mixture of emotions.

The mood of the party is portrayed with different camera shots,

costumes, diagetic music, non-diagetic music and the pace of the scene

changes. The director has used all of these techniques in the party

scene to make the audience feel involved in the party scene and make

them feel the same feelings and emotions that Romeo feels.