Romeo + Juliet Post-Modernism

     Romeo + Juliet directed by Baz Luhrmann is styled in the post-modern style.  Luhrmann's goal was to have this movie be pastiche.  Pastiche is when one takes know examples of texts and combines them to create something knew.  In Romeo + Juliet, Luhrmann sets the story in modern-day, fictional Verona Beach, using old english, old time costume parties and a bit of western fights.  If somebody were to attempt this but fail, it would be simulacrum.  Romeo + Juliet is pastiche.

     One example of pastiche in Romeo + Juliet is the fight between to Capulets and the Montagues in the beginning.  In the original play the servants of the two houses are arguing, which starts the masters fighting.  The Capulet servants start it, saying

I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. 

In the movie they also say this, but the scene is filmed in a way that resembles an old western shoot-out.  Another thing that Luhrmann adds to create pastiche is a hip-hop, gangster flare.  He has both houses and even Frair Lawrence wear gangster clothing.  In one scene the Montagues are riding around in a "muscle car" with blaring music and guns raised.  At this point Romeo runs out of the car and says (also in play) to Mercutio.

He jests at scars that never felt a wound.

     Simulacrum is when somebody attempts pastiche but isn't successful.  Although Romeo + Juliet isn't simulacrum there are a few things that don't quite work.  There are times in the movie that the camera cuts to different scenes fast almost like a rap video.  This is half interesting, half distracting.  Another thing about the movie that is distracting and almost makes it simulacrum is all the catholic church references.  Juliet has a big shrine above her bed and there are statues and pictures of Christ and the Virgin Mary in the background of most of the scenes.

     Romeo + Juliet is a post-modernism film.  The film incorporates elements from hip-hop, westerns and the renaissance to be pastiche.  Though it has gotten bad reviews for being simulacrum, it is actually pastiche because it blends the different elements and influences well, creating a visually and otherwise entertaining movie.