Romeo and Juliet
Summary
In 1996 , Baz Luhrmann call on his eye to the works of Shakespeare and make a finished mathematical product with several remainder between theRomeo and Julietplay and the movie . William Shakespeare ’s 38 play have prove to be quite memorable , but the one most adapted isRomeo and Juliet . It may have been first do in the 1500s , but elements of the tragic play ( " the star - crossed lovers " ) can be rule in the ilk of several pop television show , rom - coms , musical comedy , and even TV games . None remained asloyal while making such drastic change , as Luhrmann’sRomeo + Juliet .
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There are manymodernizations of Shakespeare ’s whole kit and caboodle , such as10 Things I Hate About YoubringingTaming the Shrewto mod times . Few have done anything as kinetically unlike as Luhrmann ’s floor using the original dialogue , but setting it in a modern - daylight Verona Beach . shoot almost like a longsighted - form music picture , Baz Luhrmann’sRomeo + Julietuses the original Shakespeare dialogue , but interlard it with goggle box footage , news gang , and car chases , making it like nothing fans of the Bard had ever seen while making it accessible for contemporaneous teen to infer the tragic love narrative .
Some of these adaptions are democratic adolescent picture show date back to the 80s , many of which cleverly adopted many themes of Shakespeare ’s original plays .
The Setting Is More Modern In The Romeo + Juliet Movie
Fair Verona Becomes Verona Beach
The original adaptation ofRomeo and Julietis set long ago , with most guesses being the 14th or fifteenth century . People represent differently and the Earth manoeuver with a different body structure . The master change here is that Baz Luhrmann ’s version is set in the modern - sidereal day ( or at least 1990s America ) .
TheRomeo and Julietmovie changes to earmark cars , guns , FedEx motortruck , cafés , and TVs . Everyone is also dressed in modern clothes and many people have dye their pilus . It could n’t look more unlike , but the language remains unchanged .
Some Of The Lines Have Either Been Cut Or Altered In The Romeo + Juliet Movie
Only One Character Uses Iambic Pentameter
Despite the language of the play remaining mostly unchanged , notably with the characters still referring to their hit man as " swords , " a few things did have to be conform if it was to be shown on the big concealment . One of the difference between theRomeo and Julietplay and movie was Luhrmann cut some of the air since he only had a certain run time to distinguish his edition . to boot , despite the majority ofRomeo and Julietbeing write in iambic pentameter , Father Laurence ( Pete Postlethwaite ) is theonly character inRomeo + Julietto speakin this meter .
The Montagues And Capulets Are Not Just Warring Families In Romeo + Juliet
The Montagues And Capulets Are Mafia Empires Running Corporations
Tying in with the update localisation and time period , the actual front and existence of the Montagues and Capulets are drastically different from the original play . Rather than being two families at state of war , the difference between theRomeo and Julietplay and flick is that the warfare here is between two rival commercial enterprise . In the movie , it is rival mafia empires . That made them felonious conglomerate rather than prominent folk . However , they pretend to be legitimate corporations with law of nature enforcement in their pockets . With this comes a change in motivation for a lot of the major plot points in the story .
The Messenger/Prologue Chorus Is Replaced
News Reports Act As The Chorus
As the picture show modernizes the original play , it naturally had to find a new way to present the function ordinarily fulfilled by the refrain , such as in the initiative prologue . This is cleverly done by having a news anchor translate these lines , present the chorus line of credit as if it were a news show report on television screens .
to boot , the TV also fulfills the role of the messenger that was in the gambol . Instead of the cast finding out about the Capulet ’s party by messenger , they see it foretell on TV . This is not only a good way to modernize the story , but to make it work cinematically .
Rosaline’s Role Is Reduced Drastically In The Plot Of Romeo + Juliet
Rosaline Is Not Even Seen In Most Adaptations
Rosaline is a grapheme that does n’t actually appear in the play but still play an important factor . She is Romeo ’s ( played by Leonardo DiCaprio ) first love and the grounds he is distraught at the starting time of the story , as she does not love him , or else affirm a vow of chastity . Rosaline is the main reason the Montagues visitthe Capulet ’s party , as she is meant to be there .
In the film , Rosaline ’s role is reduced , though she still act as a twist to get Romeo to the political party . Despite Romeo brooding at the starting time , his tone for Rosaline come along to be presented as more of a crush , and Romeo ’s emotion are downplay when Benvolio ( Dash Mihok ) asks why he is sad .
Rosaline ’s destiny after the calamity of Romeo and Juliet ’s romance has really prompted much speculation . book and moving picture both have speculated about how Rosaline might have respond to her previous suitor dying after a whirlwind romance . Shows likeStill Star - Crossedand flick likeHulu’sRosalinehave attempted to answer those interrogative sentence .
The romanticistic comedy Rosaline has a great cast full of gifted youthful stars and Hollywood vet . Here ’s a scout to the film ’s casting and characters .
The Balcony Scene Is Cut From The Romeo + Juliet Movie
The Scene Plays Out In A Pool Instead
The balcony conniption is arguably the most iconic scene of not onlyRomeo and Juliet , but of Shakespeare ’s entire works . It is a scene frequently referenced in pop refinement and it is well - known to most masses , even if they have never read or watch the free rein in any form . So it ’s pretty surprising that the film decided to change this legendary scene . InRomeo and Juliet1996 vs the play , Luhrmann first reduced the 190 stock to just 90 lines . second , the circumstance changed from an orchard shot to a more modern scene in a swimming pool .
The Tone Of The Marriage Proposal Is A Lot More Immature
The Romeo + Juliet Movie Makes It Seem Impulsive
In the original play , the scene where Romeo proposes that he and Juliet ( Claire Danes ) should get married is normally perceive as being a serious part of the play . However , one of the conflict between theRomeo and Julietplay and the film is that the graphic symbol are less serious .
Instead , they are giggling and laughing as they relay the line of descent that are more commonly acted out more seriously on point . Of of course , this could be Luhrmann ’s way of presenting how happy the two are , so joyous that they keep smile and laughing , but it downplays the grandness of their trade union and how it would unite their two house .
Paris’ Death Is Excluded From The Romeo + Juliet Movie
Romeo Kills Paris In The Play
In the original version ofRomeo and Juliet , Romeo goes to the Capulet crypt to detect Juliet . However , when he gets there , Paris is there grieving the loss of Juliet and Romeo kills him during a fight . TheRomeo and Julietmovie change this . foremost , Paris is called Dave Parisin theRomeo and Julietcast , and secondly , he is n’t in the crypt at all , meaning Romeo does n’t bump into anyone there .
In turn , this meansDave Paris ends the celluloid very much alert , while theRomeo and Julietplay provided that barbarous twirl ending everyone is too familiar with . This makes a major alteration , as his death demo how the battle even killed innocent multitude who were not part of the feud .
Lady Montague Is Alive At The End Of The Romeo + Juliet Movie
Lady Montague Dies After Romeo Is Exiled In The Play
Although six people died in the play , Baz Luhrmann ’s version reduced this bit to four as he left two individuals alive . Not only did he take out Paris ' death from his script , but he also omitted Lady Montague ’s death too ( who can be seen sitting in the limousine at the very end ) .
While the Shakespearian play said she died as a outcome of Romeo being deport , it appeared that Luhrmann did n’t think it was as crucial in his adaptation since she did n’t have much impact on the story . Of naturally , her fate could have stay the same , but it was not part of the movie ’s tale .
The Montagues And Capulets Don’t Reconcile At The End Of Romeo + Juliet
The Families Symbolically Reconcile In The Play
Luhrmann continued to make differences between theRomeo and Julietplay and movie by not including the reconciliation . This came in the final act of the tragedy when the two male parent walk into the Christian church and discovered that their children die . To pay tribute , they adjudicate to end the feud and build two statues of them side - by - side .
It ’s potential Luhrmann decided not to admit this conniption because it overlooked Romeo and Juliet ’s deaths . However , they were the most important mass in their parent ’s life , so Luhrmann rather had them mull the transience of the position and how their red feud cost several people their lives .
Balthasar And Friar Laurence Don’t Appear In The Ending Of Romeo + Juliet
Balthasar And Friar Laurence Explain Events In The Play’s Final Act
While they appear in the moving picture version , some the great unwashed might not have realize that Balthasar ( Jesse Bradford ) and Father Laurence should also have been involved in the final human action . In the gaming , it is Balthasar and Friar Laurence who expose Romeo and Paris ' bodies and explain why this tragedy come about . However , give that the movie is determine in a more modern era , where technology and postmortem are more advanced , and matrimony certification are easy to track , the two phratry would have been able to quickly figure out what pass , which would mean that this aspect was not needed .
The Prince And Paris' Familial Relationship Is Excluded From Romeo + Juliet
Paris Is The Son Of The Governor
With Paris still alive at the death of the movie , it appear that Lurhmann had snub the familial ties between Paris and Captain Prince ( Vondie Curtis - Hall ) , since they were declared " kinsmen " in the fun . Although some might say that it did n’t really impress the narrative as much since Paris and Prince Escalus did n’t really interact , it change the rendition of the free rein somewhat .
Not only was Paris ' destruction signify to highlight the immense disaster further , but the Prince ’s grief was to show that innocent the great unwashed were also caught up in this family ’s feud . Once again , this allowed Luhrmann to keep the focus on Romeo and Juliet and not as much on the other casualties .
Paris' Familial Relationship With Mercutio Is Also Excluded From The Movie
They Are Referenced As Kinsmen In The Play
Since the period of play ground that Paris and Mercutio ( Harold Perrineau ) were kinsmen to the Prince , it also look that the movie adjustment shut their transmitted ties to each other . The only one Lurhmann keeps entire is that of Mercutio and Captain Prince .
Given thatMercutio played a polar role in Luhrmann ’s version of the play , it makes sense the director keep Captain Prince and Mercutio ’s family relationship as it stress that even outsiders can be drawn into the folk feud . It also makes a lot of sense that he would cut Mercutio and Paris ’s ties too , since they did n’t even interact in the romp or know their family relationship with each other .
Juliet Wakes Up Before Romeo Dies
Juliet Wakes Up After Romeo’s Death In The Play
The twist ending is one of the reasons whyRomeo + Julietis one of the most memorable adaptations . Where the play realize a heartbroken Romeo take his own animation before Juliet Wake Island up , one of the difference between theRomeo and Julietplay and pic is that the pic shift this .
Instead of the heartbreakingly unrealised , and unrelenting ending of the original , Luhrmann has Juliet come alive up just before Romeo dies , so they can divvy up a quick kiss before she takes her own life . It was a pathetic end thatHot Fuzzmade fun of in its mockRomeo and Julietplay , which itself was the mould adapting the Luhrmann movie - not the manoeuvre , including the movie ’s birdsong " Lovefool . "
The Misuse Of Drugs Is Different In The Romeo + Juliet Movie
Romeo Is Seen Taking A Pill Early In The Movie
One of the differences between theRomeo and Julietplay and the movie is its depiction of drug . In the turn , the only time " drug " are used is when Juliet takes soda to fake her death or the toxicant Romeo drinks at the end . However , the misuse of drugs is all different in the Lurhmann version as Romeo is see taking a pill before he enters the Capulets ' party .
While this might have been the director ’s way of make it modern , it bestow to the symbolism and hidden meanings . This is n’t to say there were n’t drug in the fifteenth C , as marijuana ( The Herb ) was around in those days , which created hasheesh . With that said , Shakespeare did n’t use it in his play .
Baz Lurhmann Replaces Swords With Guns In The Romeo + Juliet Movie
The Guns Are Actually Named Swords
Baz Luhrman ’s film replaced the brand from the original with much more modern guns . Swords obviously require a draw of penny-pinching combat , which means engagement need to be done from close range . A gas could terminate a fight in less than a second , which could reduce the dramatic tension . Having said that , shootouts give the vista the Hollywood edge and make the photographic film fit the nineties more .
It was also needed because people in the 1990s would n’t likely be carrying swords in a beachside town . Luckily , the dialogue still refer to the guns as " swords , " keeping the recall to theplay integral in thisRomeo and Julietadaptation . The guns were alsostamped with the name " sword " to make the identify convention make sense .
The Costumes In Romeo + Juliet Are More Reflective Of Their Personalities
Other Adaptations Have Simply Employed Masks To Cover Identities
During the Capulet party , the costume in the original Shakespeare play seem nothing in particular freaky , with the characters wearing Elizabethan garment that would have been put on during any part of that epoch . However , in the motion-picture show , Luhrmann decides to curry each character in a costume that reflects their personality .
The audience see Juliet with gossamer angel wings and Tybalt dressed as the Beelzebub . It ’s not just the party . Mercutio ’s glitzy intimate apparel set and cape were unadulterated for his fibre ’s personality and the flaming sacred heart on the Hawaiian shirt Romeo wore was iconic . Australiancostume designer Kym Barrett delivered strongly for the movie .
Baz Lurhmann Gave The Characters Modern Names In The Romeo + Juliet Movie
Lurhmann Also Gave Some Characters First Names
Baz Luhrmann keep the talks the same as it would have been so many century of year ago , buthe changed theRomeo and Julietcharacter names . Paris catch a first name in Dave . The Montagues are discover Caroline and Ted , while the Capulets are name Fulgencio and Gloria . Friar Laurence is sprain into Father Laurence and Prince Escalus becomes Captain Prince , a law chief . These differences between theRomeo and Julietplay and the movie make common sense . Friar makes no signified in nineties America and the law military officer being a captain is also the right claim for the fourth dimension .
Some Minor Characters' Affiliations Are Swapped Around In Romeo + Juliet
This Allowed Some Characters To Have Larger Roles
Luhrmann make up one’s mind to shuffle the affiliations of certain small persona around . It ’s a lilliputian confusing for those already familiar with the character and does n’t seem to make much sense or have any reasoning behind it . Abram ( Vincent Laresca ) and Petruchio ( Carlos Manzo ) become Capulets despite being Montagues in the original , while Sampson ( Jamie Kennedy ) and Gregory ( Zak Orth ) are Montagues in the cinema . Sampson , in particular , is an interesting one , as he becomes Romeo ’s cousin-german , whereas before he was nothing more than a Capulet servant .
Friar John Is Excluded From The Romeo + Juliet Movie Altogether
Friar John Isn’t Needed In The Modern Story
Although he is n’t exactly a huge presence in the original play , Friar John nevertheless be and has a sure function to fulfill . His character is used as a tool to send a letter from Friar Laurence to Romeo , but unluckily , he is unable to fulfil his responsibility because he becomes quarantined after an outbreak of plague . His lowly function is ultimately unsuccessful , but this makes him tremendously of import to the plot . He was reckon to tell Romeo about Juliet ’s false death , and since he never arrived , it led to Romeo ’s expiry .
Of the departure between theRomeo and Julietplay and the movie , this one might have been omitted because Laurence could just overnight the letter , which he did . There ’s no need for someone to deliver a message on foot between two people they fuck when such thing as overnight mail service exist . It ’s one of theRomeo and Julietdifferences thatmakes the most sense .
Cast
