Romeo and Juliet film response

Romeo and Juliet, directed by Baz Lurhmann

1. The film’s introduction is highly stylized. How does this compare to the beginning pages of Prince of Cats? Do you notice any similarities or differences? What are they?

          There is an early establishment the the two families do not like each other. The stylized old english dialogue in a slang/modernized way of speech. This is similar to Prince of Cats as well as the early introduction of fast action violence with no explanation. 

2. What effect does the scene’s rapid fire editing and speeded-up action have on the tone of the film? How does it set the stage for what might come next?

        In the the opening scene, rapid fire editing adds suspense and drama to the film.  Although not much information is given this early in the film, the fast paced action has you sitting on the edge of your seat. With all the drama and tension, it leaves you wondering who will die. 

3. What can you infer about the setting and culture of Lurhmann’s film as opposed to Shakespeare’s original play?

        In the film, they claim that the setting takes place in Verona, Italy such as the original Romeo and Juliet. However, it appears that the 1990s version is very modernised and gives clues to taking place in southern California. Starting with rap music and graphic language, the setting is very true to the 90s and not as picturesque as Shakespeare's play. 

Costume Party:

1. What are the narrative similarities between Lurhmann’s party scene and the costume party that takes place in Prince of Cats? How are these similarities visually represented in each work and to what effect?

        The party scene is from Romeo's perspective. He sees Juliet though the fishtank. He is dressed as knight and Juliet as an angel. As their eyes meet, the swelling ballad plays behind them as they start to fall in love. Their choice of costume is similar to the ones in Prince of Cats when it comes to representing personalities. In Prince of Cats, Juliet is dressed as Wonder Woman and Romeo as a clown. I feel that the film is portrayed as more of a sappy love story than Prince of Cats which had a very dirty, grungy, mood when it came to the party scene. 

Father Lawrence v. The Apothecary

1. What is your interpretation of presence of drugs in the play, film, and graphic novel? Do you believe the element of drugs could hold any symbolic meaning in the narrative of Romeo and Juliet?

       In the film, it show Romeo before the party taking drugs with a rowdy group of people that the pier. When he arrives at the party the drugs have gotten the worst of him and he starts feeling sick. While going to a quiet spot to seek refuge, he is in awe of a fish tank which then leeds him to see Juliet through the glass of the fish tank. This could perhaps question Juliet's state of realness. During Romeo's intoxication and state of mind, is he imagining her? Is she real or a figment of his imagination? 
Another large aspect of drugs in the film is the blue potion that Father Lawerence has prepared for Juliet to take. The act of Juliet taking the potion and "dying" affects Romeo in such a way that he too plans to kill himself for love.