Balcony scenes analysis

Like: 1996 Director: Baz Luhrmann

Hate: 1976 Alvin Rakoff

I love the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet the best. Especially on the Balcony scenes. In 1996 Romeo and Juliet, Juliet did not know Romeo who went through many difficulties in order to see her just because of the first sight. Romeo felt he’s falling in love. But after he asked the servant about who is that beautiful lady, he knew that she is a Capulet. But after he considered a long time, he decided to go to find Juliet. In 1996 version, unlike other versions, Romeo just climbed next to Juliet’s window but he had not courage to ask Romeo. From his facial emotion, he was considering should he interrupt her or not. Then he just stayed quietly and listened to Juliet’s soliloquy. At the same time, Juliet went out. She dressed in white, that is one element I love this version, because in other versions, Juliet wore in different colors, even though they could show her noble and rich, those customs could not show her naive and innocent as a fourteen years old young girl. Then Romeo began to be excited and asked himself should he hear more or interpret. Also he spoke in a very deep voice, afraid that Juliet would listen to his soliloquy. In this part, Romeo did not change his custom, also its the black armor, however, the Juliet just wore the white dress, these two colors are opposite to each other which also reflect their fate.  At this part, Romeo’s facial emotion changed from worried to excited because he listened to Juliet’s explanation on the conflict between Capulet and Montague.  Also after he spoke that “ or shall I speak to this? “ In this sentence, he had several deep breaths even though no one could listen to this sentence in the scene. But it clearly shows to the audience about Romeo’s thinking and action toward Juliet. The director did not use the too much light effect in this scene because he may want the audience to feel the atmosphere like they are in the scene of Romeo and Juliet. I noticed one detail that makes me love this version of Romeo and Juliet, when Romeo and Juliet jumped in water pool due to Romeo’s interruption, under the water, they wanted to catch each others’ hands and they wanted to huge. However, due to the water’s repulsion, they had to leave the pool and breath the air. I think it is also like the repulsion from their families because they are opposite. So whatever how much love they love each other, their families would use a large force to separate them. I think the director just make a hint here in order to reflect Romeo and Juliet’s future fate. 

I do not like so much about 1976 version of Romeo and Juliet. The first reason is the soliloquy from Juliet. When I watch this version of Romeo and Juliet I felt like I am watching a dialogue between Romeo and Juliet, Romeo spoke loudly and seemed he wanted to be found out by Juliet. And Juliet, in 1976 version, she just sat there and began to say her soliloquy, when I watched her soliloquy, I would say that there’s no facial emotion or body language, she just stood there and looked into the distance. This thing was normal for a girl who met her Mr. Right, however, it can not be showed on a girl who knew her lover was her family enemy’s son, so in this time, rather than expecting and showing love on her facial emotion, I would prefer to see some worries and ask some questions to herself in order to let the audience understand her circumstance.