Baz Luhrman's Production Of Romeo And Juliet

Analysis of Luhrman's Production of Romeo and Juliet

Baz Luhrman has effectively transported Shakespeare's, 'Romeo and Juliet' from a 16th century play to a 20th century film. Using the same text but different settings and resources, the film contains the essence of the play with technological advances. There are many things to consider when analysing the adaptation of a scene. Baz Luhrman has adapted the party scene by using many methods whilst still holding on to the original Shakespearian mixture of love, hate, excitement, foreboding and passion.

The type of shots that were used throughout the scene were all very different. The scene begins with an extreme close-up, low level shot of Mercutio's

Luhrman has chosen to give the audience such a detailed picture of it because the heart is significant. The extreme close-up has been used to express the idea that love is like a drug and we see this idea explored throughout the scene. Another close-up used is that of the invitation but this is purely for the information of the audience so they know how Romeo, a Montague, got into a Capulet party. Luhrman also uses an establishing shot of the young Montagues dancing on the old stage, again, for the audience's knowledge. There are many close-ups also of Romeo looking up at the stars and fireworks. In order to put the audience in the same position as Romeo, Luhrman uses low-angle shots of the fireworks and sky, to emphasise the idea of fate and the stars. The magical mood created by the fireworks is emphasised by another close-up of Mercutio's magic trick with a trinket box this adds to the atmosphere and feeling that 'anything could happen'. The Queen Mab speech itself is said by Mercutio's character with increasing speed. The

Another subtle choice of camera angle is during Romeo's premonition. In this scene it is a low angle long shot with Romeo walking towards the camera but when it actually happens the shot is from behind. This choice has been made because looking from below gives the feeling of insecurity and helplessness which, when you believe that your life is in the hands of the gods, is how you would feel.

Luhrman uses specific camera angles and shots to show the effects of the drug that Romeo takes. The shots are different each time and come very quickly, disorientating the audience as if they had taken the drug also. The audience is shown Lord Capulet singing and dancing through a long shot as though they too were in the audience, this emphasizes the importance of appearances to him and establishes his character. The sudden shot of Mercutio's made-up face shocks the audience even more until the even more sudden halt to the madness. The music, which had been increasing in volume and speed along with the shots, also goes quiet adding to the effect. Luhrman then uses camera shots to show that the drug has stopped working by making them