How does Baz Luhrman engage the modern teenage audience with his film Romeo and Juliet
Using attractive actors and actresses, modern day costumes, props and way of life reflects Baz Luhrman’s intentions in his film. The music is up beat and up to date fitting in with the audiences interests, keeping them taken in by the film. The language is such a contrast to the props and characters, which is why Luhrman had to adjust all other aspects dramatically. Luhrman has not adjusted the script and language from Shakespeare’s version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in anyway. The characters speak in Shakespearean language, but live in modern day, which engages the audience impressively. He also mixes Romance with action, keeping every sort of person interested, he wanted to have an impact on everyone that watched the film. ... The characters used have the power to make the audience laugh, but also feel sorrow for them; teenagers feel they can relate to them, therefore, feeling empathy for them. ... Guns bring in the modernistic way of life; instead of swords, Luhrman used guns, but however he does not change the original script. ... Mercutio is neither Capulet nor Montague, but is best friends with Romeo. ... Mercutio socializes with everyone on the beach, making everyone feel involved and drawn to his friendliness, even the audience. ... In Shakespeare’s version, when Mercutio and Benvolio are bantering, there are no other people in the scene, but Luhrman has brought in extra characters to make it seem more like a small party, where everyone socializes with each other. Romeo is a young character and wears a blue suit. ... The music in the film is modern and could easily appeal to a teenager. Romeo and Juliet are both teenagers in the play and the music in the film could have been listened by them, if they were in modern day. ... At some parts, for example when Tybalt and Mercutio are fighting, the music is lively and jumpy, whereas when Romeo and Juliet get married the music is happy yet romantic. The music really helps make the audience understand the type of mood that the characters are in. ... When it comes to a sombre moment in the film the colours are dull, maybe grey and black, but when it is a happy moment the colours are dreamy and soft, maybe white or yellow. ... Whenever we see Juliet the colours are usually pale and dreamy, showing her innocence to everything in the film. ... Luhrman adds special affects to the film, during Act 3 Scene 1; he made the storm seem more intense than it actually was, even though during filming, there was a real storm.