Entry 3, Production Deisign/Direction

I think the choice by Luhrman to make a highly stylized film adaptation of a Shakespeare tragedy is a perfect marriage. The language itself is stylized, both in its poetry and its wit, and should therefore have the privilege of appearing as such. It is even more appropriate in modern times to do so, as many viewers are taking their cues from the acting, blocking and production design rather than the actual words (it isn't easy to follow the verse without the text in front of you). Other adaptations, like Titus aims at and achieves this mark as well, whereas the 90s version of Hamlet attempts to modernize the story but falls short; the film lacks style and color, its pallet being dark and monochromatic, in turn alienating the viewer instead of engaging him.