Romance Genre:
As you can see from my last post, I mentioned how musical films tend to be correlated with romance as well, and for this reason is why my group and I chose to also explore the genre of romance in addition to musicals.
Within the romance genre, the relationship between two people in love is usually the primary focus throughout the film. The films typically focus on passion and emotion, and evoke emotions in the viewer as they take them on the journey of the main characters’ love. Themes from young love, to love at first sight, to even hard times within love, are all popular themes within the romantic genre. The target audience is usually young females and young female adults. Women are usually more attracted to this genre because in the movies, typically it is told from the point of view of the woman protagonist.
The reason as to why this genre is so popular among a wide range of age groups is because people can relate to the plot. Couples and single people alike can find similarities between their own life and what is portrayed on screen. Many times romance films are realistic, following the notion that the film should imitate our “normal” version of love. These films emulate life as closely as possible, without fabricating too much, in many cases. These types of genre films usually have long takes and deep focuses, to take the viewer on the story of the main characters’ love. Many times in these films there will be location shooting and uncontrolled mise-en-scene. With the natural lighting and minimal editing, there is a more realistic notion placed on the film, allowing viewers to further relate to it or see themselves portrayed in the characters in a way.
For many couples, what this genre offers is something they can relate to. However, in many cases as well, these films serve as the ideal model of what people wish their future love would be like one day.
There are many different sub-genres based off of the umbrella romance genre:
- Rom-Com
- Romance Drama
- Fantasy Romance
- Historic Romance
- Gothic Romance
Rom-Com is the most popular sub-genre because it portrays a comedic situation that developed because of a romance situation. Typically this genre has at most two protagonists, which ultimately are driven to find love, but the obstacles that arise during this time, are what adds to the humor and makes the film a comedy and romance all in one. Target audience is typically young women and people that are in relationships that can relate to the plot. Also, the cliche in the movie genre is typically on the stereotypes of love. A lot of times the film is seen from the point of view of the woman. This film genre usually ends with a happy ending and the couple works through the obstacle they were initially faced with.
Color symbolism:
Red is used throughout the mise-en-scene of the film. Red represents energy and passionate love, since it is used in this context. Typically the woman will wear a red dress or roses will be shown in parts of the film to reinforce one of the key elements of the film as love.
Sound:
Often times, voice overs are used in the non-diegetic sound aspect of the film. This along with songs and background music that sets the tone of the scene is used in romance films a lot. Also, instrumental music is used to set the mood in some parts of the film as well.
Some examples of romance films are:
Casablanca (1942):
This film was about a man, Rick Blaine, who owned a nightclub in Casablanca and met his old love Ilsa, who he comes to find out has a husband named Victor. Victor is being chased by Germans and Ilsa has faith in Rick to help them to get him out of the country as soon as possible. Both of these men love Ilsa, but will let her go if it means she is better off.
Clueless:
This movie is an example of a rom-com that is about a girl named Cher who is the most lavish girl at her high school and is a matchmaker for a lot of her friends. As she realizes she has feelings for her ex-stepbrother, she soon falls for him. This movie is a mix of both comedy and romance.
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