Analysis of two films

Music and Lyrics (2007)

Directed by Marc Lawrence

              

Music and Lyrics, featuring Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore, is a romantic comedy based on the previously popular ‘PoP!’ eighties band member and 'happy hasbeen', Alex Fletcher. As he stretches his last opportunity at success – and last batch of dignity – he attempts to write a new song, ‘Way Back Into Love’ for Cora Corman (a hugely famous and up to date singer, performer, and PoP! fan). As he discovers a rather unexpected visit from Sophie Fisher, he also figures out a way of fitting the music with the lyrics. Working along side each other, they become inspired by their own love story.

The introduction automatically draws you in, as the audience gets a taste of the band’s original triumph to fame. The music video for ‘Pop Goes My Heart’ is shown, with various links to the traditional style. The short clips are changed by cheesy edits, with the images breaking up or flying to one side. Most of the video is set in a plain, brightly lit room with repetitive black and white check. Alongside this, the band members are dressed in their own monochromatic styles – with dramatic collars, silver shirts, over-sized ties, big sunglasses, and their hair very dramatically styled in true eighties fashion. Anyone that enjoys this genre of film is sure to find this introduction hilarious and a good indicator of the movement that the rest of the movie takes.

Throughout the film, there are lots twists of the camera as well as still shots. Often when the actors are moving around – particularly during the performing scenes – the camera tends to follow them as they move. This is often seen in programmes like the X Factor, and has relevance to this type of musical storyline, a hugely important aspect of the movie. The camera tends to only stay in one position during conversations and when the characters are sat in one spot. For example, the scenes with Alex and Sophie at the piano.

There are also many far site shots of the scenery outside the area that the main characters are. This creates a transition from one scene to another, bringing a new angle or mood to the unfolding story. It gives the audience an indication of where the film is headed next, making it much easier to follow as new hurdles are built for them.

The stage design is incredibly relevant and detailed at every scene change. Alex lives in a block of flats, done up with stylish monotones. It reflects the original music video, but with more modern design features – showing the change through time. On the wall are a few framed posters of PoP!, reminding him of the glory he is still living from and aiming for. It shows that this is an important aspect of his life, and one that he is still holding close to him. In front of the posters is a grand piano. The only music in the film is the music written by the characters, drawing significance on its focus in the film. It shows that music is of great importance in his life. It takes up a lot of the living room and is the first focus of detail.

This is clearly his own individual and private space. When Sophie tries to move the chairs to get into a better frame of mind, Alex tries to push her away. He does not like his furniture being changed, and becoming too restricted at the piano. Being separate and divided from the rest of the room gives him the space to express himself. As Sophie becomes a more significant part of his life, he allows her to become closer to the melody – and mix the meaning of the lyrics with what is going on in their lives.

(500) Days Of Summer (2009)

Directed by Marc Webb

This unique alternative to the more traditional romantic comedy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel star in the story about love, without the stereotypical ending. (500) Days of Summer is a creative movie which reflects the way that the characters eventually discover love; finding their way through the complicated and confusing journey that helps prepare them.

Across the movie, the film alternates throughout time, showing the characteristic contrasts: before, during, and after the relationship. It begins on Day 488, when Summer places her hand on Tom’s. There is a wedding ring on her finger, suggesting that the story will end with the marriage that Tom has always hoped for. At this point, the narrator warns the audience that this movie is not a love story, and it will not end in the way that we might predict.

Reversing to the first day, the camera draws into Tom, showing that the story is taken from his side of the romance. Unlike the typical boundaries of this type of comedy, the storyline focuses on the male lead instead of the girl looking for love. Summer has never had these expectations.

During the introduction, the clips follow the two characters as they go through childhood and become themselves. The camera moves unevenly like a home video. At constant and regular points in the movie, the image is sunk into squares – revealing aspects of the movie that are not seen in the reality of the situation. This gives the audience a greater understanding of the storyline and particularly, the characters within it. For example, the characters from Tom’s life respond to a question referring to their beliefs on love. This shows us how their ideas change in regards to the changing events. The box that holds the image indicates that it is drawing in on the feelings that are currently running through their heads. It is much more focused and closed off; holding certain, and particular images.

The clips of Tom and Summer are repeated at various stages, with individual shots that emphasize particular moments of significance. These same shots are used frequently, and make certain memories easier to draw on. This is a reflection of Tom’s thoughts as he looks back on the time they have spent together.

A recurring theme in the film is the retro inspired dress and music. Summer dresses in a way that resembles the fashion from the sixties, including the traditional hair cut: long fringe and curled ends. She tends to wear shades of blue, which is a bright and positive colour. Music is used from less recent bands such as, ‘The Smiths’, ‘Doves’, and ‘Regina Spektor’. The choices of music are relevant to the characters, their interests, and what defines them.

During Tom’s turnaround as he rediscovers his passion for architecture and focuses on building up the career that he has always dreamed of, the song ‘Vagabond’ by Wolfmother is played. This is quite a fast paced song, and takes Tom to the next section of his life, using his negative energy to work on developing himself. While he mourns over his ended relationship with Summer, he hits a ball aggressively onto the floor. Cleverly, the rhythm of the ball thudding against the ground starts to synchronize with the beat of the music.

This type of creative transitioning is seen throughout the film. Short animations are used to capture moments of time, just as the movie is about the alternating moments in their relationship. At the beginning and end of the film, images are drawn up like sketches, showing particular moments in the year (literally, Summer and Autumn.) There is also a moment as Tom walks away, and becomes a silhouette in the middle of nothing. These sketches add emphasis on his own drawings as he is inspired into designing architecture.