Baz Luhrmann Romeo And Juliet Comparative Essay

In the opening scene of the modern adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet", the qualities of the feuding families: The Montagues and The Capulets are successfully exposed to the audience by the use of presentational devices. The director, Baz Luhrmann, has paid deliberate attention to these areas, which successfully portray the rival family member's temperaments. The use of different lighting, colour, music, sound effects, costume and make up are applied to represent the different families to show the distinction of the two. Areas such as framing, location, camera angle and movement help to express the diversity of the two families, making it apparent to the audience the existence of the two families resentment towards each other. This essay will
explore and reveal how the use of presentational devices has provided a successful interpretation for the audience, so that the two families similarities and differences are evident apparent.
The film, directed by Baz Luhrmann, has deliberately been set in modern time, rather than in the 1600's, when it was originally set. This has been done so that it appeals to the modern-day audience. To successfully portray that the film is set at present time, Luhrmann has set the location of the film at Verona Beach, USA, rather than the original setting of Verona, in Italy. The setting, of Verona Beach, is a city where aspects, such as gun crime and gang warfare are prolific. The setting there lends itself to conflict and power, which is demonstrated by the tall buildings, displaying the rival family's names on. The images of the tall buildings, which dominate the city skyline, show how the two families divide the city. Luhrmann has purposely situated the scene here, as it uses the audience's cultural knowledge to display the effects that Luhrmann has aimed to achieve.
The opening scene is set in a petrol station. This setting allows for the audience an indication of the hostility that is to follow. Props such as saloon like doors and swinging signs are reminiscent of those in saloons. Typically, western films, in such settings, contain fights; subsequently saloon settings are associated with violence. There is a sign that displays the message, "Add more fuel to your fire". This message becomes very relevant to the scene. There are continuous references to fire, for example, when the Capulets light their cigars. This has built up tension throughout the scene. The fire is a symbolic image of power, and so has been used to represent the importance and dominance of the two families in the city. At the end the audience finally view the fire that has been the crescendo throughout the scene. Luhrmann uses freeze frames with the character in the frame, and their role in the story. This is so that the audience can recognise the character, as the story progresses.
Baz Luhrmann has created a very evident dissimilarity between the two families, by deliberately contrasting the skin colours. The Montagues are fair with naturally pale skin and blond hair, although some members have dyed pink hair. The Capulets, contrastingly, have dark olive skin with dark hair, with a look suited to an Italian. These vivid differences allow for the audience to recognise the characters easily.
The first family encountered in the film are the Montagues. The Montagues enter the scene driving in a yellow car. The music used is upbeat hip-hop and this type of music is typically associated with adolescents. Luhrmann has amplified the lyrical content in parts of the music, for example the lyrics, "The boys! The boys!" are used for the effect to affirm the carefree and ruffian attitudes of the Montague boys. From this, the audience can already establish the youth like approach of the characters.
The Montagues are a display of bright, bold, and garish colours. This advocates that the Montagues are young, carefree and unreserved. Luhrmann's use of costume: brightly coloured Hawaiian style clothing is an implication of their youth-like qualities. Some members of the family have brightly dyed pink hair, suggesting their lack of concern of how others may perceive them therefore perhaps making a statement for themselves.
The Capulat's entrance create a more fearful imoression. When the Capulets arrive in the scene, the music immediately changes to a western type sound. The Western music is associated with western films containing guns and violence. From this, the audience associate violence with the Capulets. When the Capulets enter the frame, a black car is used for their mode of transport. The clothing used for the Capulets is dark and sophisticated. The colouring of their clothing implies organisation and seriousness. The Capulets have sculpted beards and neatly styled hair. This has been used to suggest that the Capulets take pride in their appearance and that they are self-righteous. The dark colours suggest a sinister and evil nature of the family. The colours of the family's costumes and cars create a profound distinction between the two families Luhrmann has also used basic props that form recognition of both families. The Capulets and The Montagues have their family crest incorporated onto their weapons, to show the devotion of the two families. The first prop that we see at the beginning of each family's entrance is their car. On both cars, they have number plates with references to the family name; for example, the Capulets number plate is "CAP 005". The Montagues car is a bright yellow sports car, revealing the young attitude of the family. The Capulets car is a black gangster type car with blacked out windows this creates a sense mystery and sophistication.
Camera angle and framing has been carefully selected to reflect on both families' attributes. For the primary encounter with the Montagues a long shot has been used to reveal and involve all members of the family. The shot is open, and suggests that the Montagues have no hidden agendas and that the first impression of jovial, lurid boys is dependable. When the Capulets arrive we first see the car and the feet of one member. This creates the sense of mystery with the audience intrigued as to whom these people are.
The family's arrivals at the petrol station create very contrasting impressions to the audience. When the Montagues arrive at the petrol station, their music is played loudly and they make intimidating sexual gestures to the nuns at the station. This emphasises the suggestion of immaturity of the Montagues and their loud and loutish attitudes. When the Capulets arrive at the petrol station the frame is only of their feet.

Luhrmann creates the impression that the Capulets are aggressive and organised. When a Capulet lights a cigar, it is again referring to the western theme, but it also shows calm and debonair qualities of the Capulets. A cigar is seen to be very expensive and sophisticated, reflected the qualities of the Capulets. The camera, which focuses on his feet, has been sped up to a close up of a Capulet's face. This is dramatic and unsettling and so leaves the audience disorientated. The camera angle has been placed, as it has to suggest that the audience and the Montagues are looking up at him. This is to insinuate his superiority and his God-like power.
Religious images are used throughout the scene.
Both the Montagues and the Capulets have religious adornments, proving that only religion unites the two families. Baz Luhrmann creates a symbolic image when the Capulets go into the station the nun comes out. This demonstrates that as evil goes in, good comes out.
Luhrmann has created different impressions of the families by distinguishing their reactions in situations. This image is a sinister portrayal of evil and sin. Luhrmann uses a close up shot on the Capulets to suggest the seriousness and control that the Capulets obtain. Fast framing has been deliberately used to express the Montagues panic and unawareness of how to respond. The fear of the Montagues is also portrayed by the way their voices become high and comic. Their whimpering indicates the Montagues fear of the Capulets.
The audience become increasingly aware of the rivalry. Luhrmann suggests that the Montagues, though proud to maintain the feud, fear the Capulets. This is shown through the conflicting mannerisms of the two families. A Capulet jokingly pronounces, "Boo". This results in a negative reaction that embarrasses the Montagues. The reaction makes evident the influential power the Capulets have and how they are perhaps the more aggressive family. In return for their humiliation, a Montague uses a juvenile hand gesture to insult the Capulets. This gesture reaffirms the irresponsible nature of the Montagues. The Capulets aggressively act in response to the insult by shouting at a high volume, expressing the violent side to the
family. Luhrmann uses the handling of props to represent the Capulet's handling of situations. When the Capulet reveals his gun, it is done slowly to suggest a sexual, perverse pleasure that he receives from it. It shows that in the form of aggression, he receives a gratification. The sexual nature of the Capulets is also demonstrated by the phallic image of the gun in the holster, as he reveals his bare chest. When speaking, the Capulets create a sultry, hiss like sound, similar to that made by a snake.
Baz Luhrmann has made the Montagues a figure of fun. This can be demonstrated by the action of the old woman hitting a Montague over the head with a handbag. This has been edited at a high speed, making a mockery of the Montagues so that they are made to look inadequate. Close ups of the Capulets face exhibit the immense control and concentration. When a child shouts from behind, the Capulet very quickly turns to shoot him. This shows the extreme concentration and proficiency of the Capulet. The fact that he turns so quickly was to show his seriousness and that he was prepared to use the gun.
When performing stunts, the Capulets shots are in slow motion. This causes admiration amongst the audience. However, when the Montagues are in the frames, shots are short and quick, to show the lack of control and order.
The Capulets use guns tricks, frequently used in western showdowns. When rolling and shooting through the air, it makes the image explosive. When performing gun tricks, the actions are sped up to show proficiency. The Capulets aptitudes are also expressed by the slow motion of some of their dramatic stunts. This order of introduction of characters has made the audience feel sympathetic towards the juvenile Montagues, and fear of the Capulets. Baz Luhrmann has deliberately introduced the Montague family to the audience first. The audience, by the use of presentational devices had established that the Montagues are harmless and seeking only fun. However, the audience learn that as soon as the Capulets arrive, so does trouble. As soon as the Capulets arrive, fear becomes present, which results in irrational responses from both families. This finally results in another conflict that continues to fuel the division between the two families. From observing the opening scene of "Romeo and Juliet", many presentational devices have been used to expose the qualities of the two families: The Montagues and the Capulets. There is an immense amount of thought and structure needed to create a successful portrayal of characters, as it has been increasingly obvious that a film is not only about characters and a plot. Baz Luhrmann has purposely used many techniques that refer to the audience's cultural knowledge. All of the presentational devices have been constructed and used to create meaning, which helps the audience understand more about the film and what is happening. There are many ways in which to create an effect, that it is only when identifying them, you understand their importance and relevance for the success of the film. In the opening scene, Baz Luhrmann has successfully portrayed the attributes of both families through the use of presentational devices. This is done so that his interpretation of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is expressed to its full extent.