COCO | In this modern take, the characters inhabit a landscape where status remains a constant, a reflection of the power dynamics that define their existence. The Capulets and Montagues, each formidable in their corporate empires, maneuver through the sun-drenched streets of California — a land where ambition and lineage intertwine, shaping the fate of their children. The climate is post-apocalyptic in the image of the story. The Prince of Verona, now Captain Verona, emerges as an arbiter, a peacemaker. A role both ironic and poignant in the tumult of the 20th century.
The prologue unfolds through the lens of a new character : an anchorwoman, a figure who embodies the media’s omnipresent gaze. She takes over the Chorus later on, a modern oracle tasked with framing the narrative, her voice laced with the urgency of a news cycle that demands constant engagement. Through her, the audience is invited into a world where the past and present collide, and where the echoes of feuding families reverberate in the backdrop of a news report.
As she assures us of her responsibility, we sense the weight of the story about to unfold — one that is as much about love and loss as it is about the consequences of our choices in an era defined by superficial connections. Here, the timeless themes of tragedy and conflict are revisited, yet the same question lingers : in a world with power struggles, can the cycles of violence ever truly be broken?
Baz Lurhmann, like many directors at the time — think Clueless dir. Amy Herckling and Sleepy Hollow dir. Tim Burton — was motivated to refresh some classics of English literature. To do so, the acclaimed director collaborated with costume designer Kym Barrett. She dressed Romeo in Prada floral shirts and Juliet’s family, the Montague in opulent designs from Dolce & Gabbana. The original score also played a huge part on its own, with the supervision of Nellee Hooper, Marius de Vries and Craig Armstrong. « Angel » by Gavin Friday magically transcribed into the film’s fabric.
Images : Bazmark Productions
Nouvelles Vagues 