A Comparison of Scenes From West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet

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A Comparison of Scenes From West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet

Cinematography

The scene before the meeting scene in West Side Story Maria spins

around in her dress the camera then carries on spinning which creates

a colourful blurred effect on the screen. The effect makes her look

like she is almost spinning into the next scene.

When Tony and Maria meet, all the other characters that were dancing,

slow down and fade behind Tony and Maria. The room becomes dark and

there is a spotlight on Maria and Tony. All eyes become focused on the

two lovers.

In Romeo and Juliet at the beginning of the meeting scene Romeo takes

ecstasy. I think the director adds this in to create the feeling of

light headedness like the feeling you experience when being in love.

When the drug affects him the camera spins to create the blurred

effect. In the actual meeting scene the fish tank always reflects

either Romeo or Juliet depending on who the camera is filming. This

is how the audience knows that eye contact is kept throughout. When

Juliet is dancing the camera is made to look like its being shown

through Romeo’s eyes of how he sees her. In the elevator the camera

spins to symbolise the intensity of love and how it can almost make

you feel physically dizzy and nauseous. When their identities are

revealed to one another the camera zooms down to Romeo and up to

Juliet this could show their place in society or foreshadow the

balcony scene which comes later in the play.

Songs

When Romeo is under the effect of drugs the song in the background is

upbeat and cheerful. The song is called “young hearts, run free”

mimed by Mercutio. ...

... middle of paper ...

...Romeo and Juliet continue their exchanges and they kiss, but are

interrupted by the Nurse, who sends Juliet to find her mother. When

Juliet is dragged away they are both told where the other comes from

and they both realize the grave consequences of their love.

Maria and Tony Meeting scene

In the film, West Side Story. The two rival gangs, the jets and the

sharks meet at the school disco. They refuse to dance with any member

of the opposing gangs which results in a dance showdown. At different

ends of the dance hall Maria and Tony lay eyes upon each other. They

fall instantly in love and meet in the middle of the dance floor and

touch hands. They share a first kiss which is interrupted as the

other gangs realise what is happening. Maria is sent home and Tony is

left heartbroken that his true love is an enemy.

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