Romance Opening - Life As We Know It

Life As We Know It

Genre is clear, mise-en-scene contains all romantic conventions, the evening setting, the colour red appearing often as well as other couples walking past. The music also points towards the genre being romance. Although this opening the characters challenge to conventions through the lack of romantic interest between them which ultimately ends in disaster.

Starting music is a Non diegetic Amy Winehouse song which contains romantic lyrics as well as a passionate tune. Straight away we see that romance is present in the scene. The diegetic knock cuts the music out as we are introduced to a Man. Dialog then starts along with a subtle, calming jingle which sets the mood between to two for the audience. At the end of the opening, after their argument the women behaviour went from ladylike and calm to angry. The music changes to fit her mood therefore we get a more upbeat, higher tempo music as she storms away.

Two starting shots are extreme close ups focusing on a part of the body, first red lips then red shoes, the colour red connotes romance therefore the audience knows she is getting ready for a date. A long shot of the room shows her sitting there reading a book as if she is waiting for someone. Point of view shots are used as they are having a conversation. Long shot of them walking, her body is faced toward him suggesting she is making an effort and engrossed in what he has to say, whereas his body is facing forward suggesting he doesn’t really care for what she is saying. The man in this scene is wearing all black, which is quite neutral as well as his motorbike which is also black therefore he has showed no romantic interest yet, whereas the women is wearing red lipstick, shoes and also has a red car all signs she is wanting to find love. As they get in the car a couple walks past on the left being another sign that this is a romance film. Two shot of them in the car rather cramped and very awkward looking. At the end of this opening the camera follows the women back to her house but with the man in the background so we are still able to see them both, but it’s obvious they aren’t together. She then walks past a bush which finishes the opening scene while the credits play.

First character we are introduced to is a women, blonde, pretty, early 30’s and looking for love. We wonder why she isn’t in a relationship already. Quickly after we are shown a second character; a man. He is wearing a cap and casual clothes. He has definitely not made an effort compared to the women reflecting his laid back attitude. There are obvious signs of awkwardness, they know each other on a first name basis only which may suggest they have been set up on a blind date, that she was excited for but he felt forced into. As they are walking outside she is asking him question after question because he is not expanding on any of his answers, making her come across rather forward. Her expectations are higher than he can offer, she was expecting a car not a motor bike, she was expecting a planned evening not for her to have to organise it.

 It is plain to see that he is a hopeless romantic. They both are being pleasant and civil until he gets off the phone with his “Sick Friend” which was apparent it was a lustful friend of his. She has had enough of his rude and inconsiderate behaviour, she expresses how she really feels and they both go their separate ways. But the audience knows that they are most likely to cross paths again.