Film opening research

The Notebook (romantic)


The Notebook is a romantic film and has the opening to fit the specifications of this genre. The genre is quickly established in the opening from the use of the lake and sunset and an establishing shot on these natural features, both things with romantic connotations. The lake also establishes the setting quickly, the audience knows that the film will probably be set somewhere rural due to all the open space and foliage. The music is in a major key which automatically gives a feeling of happiness and love. But there is a minor bass melody being played underneath, this paired with the slow tempo gives an ominous feel to the opening and makes the audience question will the narrative be a happy one throughtout.

The use of slow motion throughout the opening gives the idea that time will be a strong theme running through the narrative of the film and when the older female character is introduced at the end the audience is led to believe that she is the main character as she is the only person we see but it also leads to alot of questions such as why is she there alone? And who is she? This makes the audience think that the films use of time will be looking at her time and how she ended up where she is. The cast and crew credits are very small and subtle. this connotes that the narrative is going to be focused more on the story and emotions of the film rather than the actors in it.

I like this film opening. the peaceful music that runs through establishes the romantic theme through its mixture of timbre and tempo. The opening gives an idea of what the narrative will be about but by not showing us many characters or any actual narrative or speech it intices the audience and makes them ask questions, hooking them into the film.