Journal #1: Film Reflection 1
1) Summarize the plot
The movie starts off with a news anchor announcing the death of Romeo and Juliet. The setting soon changes after to a gas station in Verona Beach. The modern city shows two gangs, Capulets and Montagues fighting, alarming us that they are enemies. Romeo a Capulet appears after the fight looking troubled about finding love which leads him to attend a costume ball set by Juliet's parents, Montagues, for Juliet and her arranged husband, Paris. During the ball, Juliet and Romeo meet and falls in love at first sight. However, the two soon realize their relationship. They have fallen in love with the one and only child of their family's enemy. Despite the situation, Romeo courageously confronts Juliet his feeling that Juliet feels the same about. Romeo proposes the idea of running away from their title of Montagues and Capulets and the two run away to get married.
What is interesting about the style of the film?
The biggest factor would be the setting. This movie unlike the original takes place in the modern 90s. The movie has actors wearing Hawaiian shirts and carrying guns instead of dresses and swords. The modern era also interestingly changes the story layout as well. For example, in Shakespear Capulets and Montagues feuds are caused by ancient grudges, while in this movie it is due to religious reasons. The famous balcony scene of Romeo calling out Juliet is done in a more modern approach in Juliet's swimming pool like most modern movies which have a pool scene. Through this movie, we are able to realize that this popular tragedy does not only fit in one era. Even with the new setting Director Baz Luhrmann's aesthetic of loud music and big action still captures the whole pressure and feverish feel of the story. Unlike the original play the plentiful actions and scenery provided help you understand better as well. This twist of Baz Luhrmann's taste makes an interesting view and change of the classic Romeo and Juliet.
The movie starts off with a news anchor announcing the death of Romeo and Juliet. The setting soon changes after to a gas station in Verona Beach. The modern city shows two gangs, Capulets and Montagues fighting, alarming us that they are enemies. Romeo a Capulet appears after the fight looking troubled about finding love which leads him to attend a costume ball set by Juliet's parents, Montagues, for Juliet and her arranged husband, Paris. During the ball, Juliet and Romeo meet and falls in love at first sight. However, the two soon realize their relationship. They have fallen in love with the one and only child of their family's enemy. Despite the situation, Romeo courageously confronts Juliet his feeling that Juliet feels the same about. Romeo proposes the idea of running away from their title of Montagues and Capulets and the two run away to get married.
What is interesting about the style of the film?
The biggest factor would be the setting. This movie unlike the original takes place in the modern 90s. The movie has actors wearing Hawaiian shirts and carrying guns instead of dresses and swords. The modern era also interestingly changes the story layout as well. For example, in Shakespear Capulets and Montagues feuds are caused by ancient grudges, while in this movie it is due to religious reasons. The famous balcony scene of Romeo calling out Juliet is done in a more modern approach in Juliet's swimming pool like most modern movies which have a pool scene. Through this movie, we are able to realize that this popular tragedy does not only fit in one era. Even with the new setting Director Baz Luhrmann's aesthetic of loud music and big action still captures the whole pressure and feverish feel of the story. Unlike the original play the plentiful actions and scenery provided help you understand better as well. This twist of Baz Luhrmann's taste makes an interesting view and change of the classic Romeo and Juliet.
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