Analysis of the Opening Sequence of Love Actually

LOVE ACTUALLY

For a better quality version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMScPVO4rLw&feature=related

A strong opening sequence would immediately demonstrate and clearly lay out the genre of the film in hand, meaning a good director would successfully be able to undertake this action within the first two minutes of a sequence. Taking this into consideration, I am therefore going to analyse the opening sequence of the film 'Love Actually' and come to a conclusion as to whether I personally think the director has set the story out successfully, but at the same time created a well needed and significant chain of narrative enigma.  

When starting the sequence, soft non-diegetic music is played which indicates the storyline following by giving off a tranquil feeling to the audience. The same music is played throughout the sequence and due to the fact the pace and tone stays identical, a comforting approach is once again handed to the audience, this instantly knocks out the possibility of the film being orientated around a thriller or crime. 30 seconds into the clip, a man starts to talk; everything he says is associated with love and this, for the audience, is the final clarification of the genre in hand which is obviously romance. "When the planes hit the twin towers, as far as I know none of the people on board were messages of hate or revenge, they were all messages of love, if you look for it I've got a sneaky feeling you'll realise that actually love is all around." This is one of the lines which the speaker reads, and for the reason that this was a very sensitive issue to be raised for a large number of the population we can tell that the film is going to be somewhat emotional, and evidently as real life as possible which makes the audience want to watch on to identify with themselves personally, referring to the uses and gratification theory.

Secondly, the camera movement holds a great influence in demonstrating the genre. By specefically choosing a long shot of two people hugging to open the scene, we promptly gain an insight of the devoted and affectionate relationship between the two. The camera then cuts away a number of times to show a variety of diverse people in equivalent situations, all hugging and kissing one another. This is the point in which the camera zooms in to the blissful faces of these girlfriends,boyfriends,friends,mothers and fathers which generates narrative enigma with curiosity of why these people are so contented and warm within this situation. This similarily links in with the representation of the characters, as the stereotypical American lifestyle is portrayed as being joyful and greatful of those around them, which is reinstated in the screen shots of the people appreciating life below.  

The editing in this opening sequence is relatively limited, a soft focus is set in place while the people are hugging, and this is used to distort the sight of the other people on show, as a deliberative way to draw the attention of the viewers to the definite situation. Conventional elements are used, and as previously discussed; the placid music which is played from the very beginning continuously gives off a serene feeling, which is a purposeful intention in what the director wishes the audience to feel. Close to the finish of the opening sequence the title of the film displays, as the speaker reads out “Love actually is all around” the words form at the bottom of the screen. The font used is white Arial, but with intent the editing of the single word ‘is’ in red. This is clearly prepared to highlight the dominant ideology of the film but similarly to signify the importance of love, making the audience think about the love they embrace themselves, watching on to see a different perspective. Below are screen shots of the editing of the title.

Fourthly, the mis-en-scene is just as essential for the sequence. By the decision to film at Heathrow Airport, a location which is common to most, the audience can relate to the film a lot more which makes it true to life. Due to the fact real life people were used in actual circumstances, their blissful facial expressions stand out, leading to a genuine reaction of the audience. The characters are therefore represented well as the emotions being shown are completely existent and believable. The normal ‘plain’ day to day clothing also re-instates this. Below are screen shots backing up the points which I have made.

Successfully, the director feeds enough information to the audience for them to grasp that the dominant ideology relates strongly to love, but smartly holds back enough of the storyline to create narrative enigma which leaves them wanting to watch on. The genre of the film is signified in the sequence through the embedding of the sound, camera, editing and mis-en-scene. The audiences reception towards this is positive, and by the time the opening sequence is concluding the audience is already engaged in the film wanting to carry on.