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Worlds apart: Comparative essay
Topic: How successful is Baz Luhrmann’s film appropriation of Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet?
Baz Luhrmann's film William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet is a very successful and
popular appropriation of Shakespeare's tragedy. Luhrmann remains faithful to the
play's original text, retaining the themes and ideas about love, marriage and revenge.
Using pop culture elements and a wide range of cinematic styles, the audience is
able to appreciate more fully the original Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Luhrmann
sees his film adaptation making Shakespeare more accessible to a wider and
younger audience by providing a modern setting and context. The language of
Shakespeare, which can be challenging, has been enriched by the distinct visual
style of the modern film style.
Luhrmann’s appropriation of the love story has a strong and confronting visual style.
He uses handheld cameras to show the threats and quick-cut editing to intensify the
conflicts between the warring gangs and the families. The highly choreographed fight
scenes and the sequences of distorted close-up shots give an edgy feel to the film.
Luhrmann’s setting is a created world of urban decay and gang warfare, which
distanced it from the original setting. At times the design, costumes and lighting
provided a surreal and detached world. The mix of pop culture icons, motifs and the
modern music soundtrack adds to the appeal of the appropriated work.
Many modern audiences find the language of Shakespeare difficult and daunting.
Luhrmann uses American accents in the film to make the original language more
alive and blend with the boisterous and passionate storytelling and modernistic
setting. Shakespeare intentionally wrote his plays to appeal to a broad audience. The
language in the original context was written for Elizabethan theatre goers appealing
to the groundlings, merchants, artisans and nobility who came to the Globe Theatre.
The film’s strong visual imagery and style add to the audience’s understanding of the
dialogue and action. The film enriches the scope and understanding for a modern
audience.
The strong visual style, modern music and settings make Luhrmann’s film a popular
and successful appropriation for modern audiences. The strong links with the story of
the original play and the teen audience, make Shakespeare more accessible and
enjoyable.
Worlds apart: Comparative essay
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