"Clueless" is a typical Romantic film written and directed by Amy Heckerling in 1995. Clueless is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel “Emma”. Although it appeals to a large
audience, the target audience is actually the teenage generation and with this
in mind, Heckling makes the protagonists "Cher" relatable to the audience.
The genre conventions are highlighted within the opening scene as we see the main character shopping, this is one of the genre conventions as it shows the stereotypical belief of girls being focused on shopping and materialism. We also see a group of girls in a car playing music, this hightlights the protagonists social life and gives the impression of her being "fun loving and popular" a trait that is often given to main characters in a romantic films. The shots shown in the pictures below gives the audience an idea of the character and her social group, the mise en scene of the props suggest that she has money/comes from wealthy background this is because the character is carrying two large sized bags, meaning she has the money to shop and spend. The car she drives is expensive looking suggesting that she can afford to have the expense of the car despite her being young, this implies she is dependant on her parents.
We also see a shot of the characters dancing, presumably at a party, the editing of this shot is slowed down to make it seem like there pictures being taken. This is relatable to the audience as the age group the film is aimed at will be familiar with taking pictures with friends. It gives the impression of the character leading a fun life. Throughout these shots there is seamless editing, this gives the impression of the party being on going and that her whole life revolves around her having fun.
Within the opening scene the music continues to play throughout this gives the impression of the protagonists life being an on going party, the song "Were the kids in America" by Kim Wilde is significant as it helps sum up the characters and the lives they lead, they see them selves as the kids of America who have fun and party. Despite there being music playing throughout the shots we also hear ambient sounds of laughing and chatter, creating a sense of the group being close and connected. A lot of the shots in the opening scene are made up of handheld pans, this conveys the impression of the characters being wild and uncontrollable.
We are properly introduced to the character through her reflection in the mirror shown through an over the shoulder shot. The character is choosing what to wear and appears conscious of her appearance, this is a typical representation in Romantic films as they focus on love and attraction, therefore the characters often want to look their best in order to impress. The idea of the character not being able to find something to wear will be relatable for the audience; the teenage girls watching the film will be able to relate the feeling as they probably have experienced it themselves.
During these shots there is a voice over of the character giving an inner monologue, she talks about her life "I actually have a way normal life for a teenager" although she states this we as the audience she that her life isn't the norm for teenagers and its clear she is brought up in a wealthy area. Through her thinking her life is "normal" she gives the impression of being spoilt and not appreciating what she has. The voice over breaks the fourth wall between the audience and we begin to see her life from her perspective, this is often a convention of the Romantic genre.
The irony of her thinking her life is normal is emphasis through the miss-en-scene of her room, she has a computer in her room which determines her outfits for her. Something which the audience don't find "normal". There is a close up shot of the computer choosing the outfit for Cher, this is symbolic to show how she is dependent on others. Dependant on her parents for financial support and dependant on the computer for simply things like choosing what to wear.
No comments:
Post a Comment