mediathroughpaulina: November 2021

What is a Romance Movie?

Within the film world, there are several genres and sub-genres. Romance is one of the major genres within the industry with its movies revolving around the journey of a romantic love story or stories. The plot typically follows the main character or characters and explores their emotions through their passage in love.

Content

Romance films develop a central love story focusing on the falling in love of two characters through the plot. Within the relationship, there is often a struggle or force which impedes the charters from being together such as socioeconomic differences or a physical move. Romance films usually end in one of two ways. There is the happily ever after where the love interests work past their challenges and love perseveres, this ending is what most audiences hope for due to its optimistic nature. The alternative ending is the exact opposite where the two character's romantic relationship ultimately fails. Moreover, some films include an antagonist who actively attempts to separate the couple such as a father forbidding his wealthy daughter from marrying a commoner. Typically, the protagonists are a heterosexual young white couple.

Production Techniques

Romance films are typically realism meaning they imitate our normal version of reality. Throughout the production, close-up shots are utilized to emphasize the emotion and intimacy being portrayed. Two-shots are oftentimes used to develop the chaining relationship of the protagonists. Lighting changes depending on the emotions of the shot. Low key light helps create a mysterious and seductive atmosphere while high key lighting results in a sense of warmth and love. Uplifting and warm colors are used with respect to color theory such as yellows and oranges. The costume design depends on the sub-genre of the film; a historical romance would likely incorporate fashion appropriate to the time period. Many Romance films are set in bustling cities or high schools connecting to the idea of the genre representing younger characters.

How it's Marketed

The target audience for Romance films is typically women from young adults to middle-aged depending on the representation and plot of the film. For example, a romance film revolving around teenagers attracts a younger audience. Given that women as a whole are the target audience, these films are marketed as an escape and fantasy from the love lives of their audience. The creators tend to give the people what they want, a happy ending within a fairytale love story. The interactions between the two protagonists are overdramatizing and can be viewed as unrealistic, hence the idea of "only in the movies". Additionally, the idea of a damsel in need of saving is commonly used in this genre.

Titanic

The film Titanic (1997) develops the love story of Rose and Jack who fall in love but due to socioeconomic reasons, they can never be together. Roses fiancé and parents are portrayed as threats to their relationship leading to them having to hide their love for another. When their ship tragically sinks, Jack heroically sacrifices himself so Rose could live. This plays into the damsel in distress idea where Rose was too delicate and needed a strong man like Jack.

Twilight

The film Twilight (2008) is a Romance film as the plot follows the love story of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen in a fantasy world. The underlying structure of the film is the typical boy meets a girl however, this film incorporates two love interests. The main character Bella is shown as obsessive over boys and other aspects of her personality are never fully developed. Similarly, Bella is depicted as needing saving by a man as she is too fragile.