G321: Analysing Film Openings

Film Opening: Catch Me If You Can



Genre: Mystery, detective, action chase

Narrative: Chases (clear from the title of the film)

Character: Someone being chased, the detective and person being chased are both introduced in the opening. These characters are pointed at using the airport signs using their actor names - making it clear who each of them is. The use of airport signs is an example of iconography.

Atmosphere: Excitement, suspense, chase, thrill

Themes: Imitation, wealth, brains, 'loner'

Setting: Retro feel as oppose to modern. Set in the USA (made clear by the yellow taxi caps in the opening sequence, airports, doctors, city setting as oppose to a rural environment.

Sound: Retro music, upbeat, fast paced to keep up the pace of the animation.

Titles: Integrated into the animation of the opening. Film title comes in really early showing a range of jobs and people who worked on the film.

Film Opening: My Best Friend's Wedding



Genre: Love, romance.

Narrative: Preparing for a wedding, friends being bridesmaids, imitate walking down the isle, irony of the bride catching her own bouquet, indication that something is going to go wrong (can tell from the lyrics of the song they are singing)

Character: Bride figure introduced (makes you assume there will be a Groom) bridesmaids introduced.

Atmosphere: Upbeat, light, airy, 'loved-dovey', not very modern, feminine (very pink and flowery).

Themes: Love, wedding, friendship, happiness, iconography of the wedding setting.

Setting: Shot in a studio - comes across as a 'tongue-in-cheek', shot as if they are on stage - reminiscent of a 1950's cheesy musical.

Sound: Upbeat, light, airy, love, a lot of the lyrics give away an indication of the storyline

Titles: Hand written font style - similar to that of a wedding invitation (fits theme well). Main star, Julia Roberts, and the supporting actress Cameron Diaz appear very early on in the title sequence (within 16 seconds). Julia Roberts would have had a massive box office appeal. The actual title of the film appears within the first 40 seconds of the opening.