How Luhrmann Portrays the Meeting of Romeo and Juliet

830 Words2 Pages

How Luhrmann Portrays the Meeting of Romeo and Juliet

In this essay, I will denote and connote the hidden messages within

Baz Luhrmanns modern day version of Romeo and Juliet. I will explain

what the messages mean, and what things are the hidden messages. I

will analyse the images and shots within the party scene that Romeo

and Juliet first meet in.

In the opening shot, we hear diagetec sound. This sound is a woman

singing a love song. This indicates that there is some hidden love

story within the film in which is about to be revealed to us. We see

Romeo trying to shake off a drug in which he has just taken, we see

him in a very similar shot to one in which we see Juliet from during

the first time we see her. This lets us see that the love connection

is between the two of them.

As Romeo exits the bathroom, he looks at the fish tank, yet again;

there is a theme of water linking the both of them. As Romeo watches

the fish, he follows one of them down to the bottom of the tank; he

peers through a small archway. As the camera does a point of view

shot, we see another eye; it is the eye of Juliet. As they continue to

look through the glass, we know here for sure that they fall for each

other. There are many way in which this has been shown. They mirror

each others movements, they follow each other, but it looks more like

Romeo is leading, the tradition thing to do, let the man lead.

The water within the tank looks very peaceful and innocent, possibly

suggesting how they wish their love could be; it also looks very

sensuous, we can connote that this demonstrated the deepness in which

their love already has, the deepness of their c...

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...t the two are both conflicts of interest.

Juliet wants to please her father but does not see what Romeo being a

Montague has to do with anything. This really demonstrates the

character of Juliet; it represents more of a barrier between her best

interests.

As Romeo walks up to her and speaks to her, they both slip into the

water, yet again the theme of water links the two of them. The water

is very calm and shows the intensity of their love.

Throughout the film Juliet continues to wear her hair down, flowing

freely, defining her sexuality. The definition of her sexuality shows

a connection between the two of them again, but in a sexual way. The

camera angles describe a struggle whilst Romeo is under water,

suggesting that he may be trying to show the struggle Romeo and Juliet

shall have later on during the film.

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