THE REAL AND THE ROMANTIC: Blending Genres and Shaping Stories
Realism: the artistic attempt to recreate life as it is in the context of an artistic medium. The artist seeks to report and reveal what he/she sees as accurately and honestly as possible.
Romanticism: a movement encompassing ideas like the free play of the mind, and imagination above all else. It embraces how things might or even should be, leaving the viewer free to interpret, surmise, and surrender to what they have felt as well as seen.
Looking over these definitions, I started to think about how these ideas, movements, philosophies, classifications--whatever we wish to call them-- translate into film. Eventually, I realized they reminded me that it is always of value to effectively explore the enigma of human nature when considering artistic expression in any of its forms.
When some people go to look for inspiration, they flip open a magazine, click through Pinterest, or take to the streets for some old-fashioned people-watching. While I'll not likely turn down any of these worthwhile past times; when I am looking for the ultimate escape, I most often take headphones and an audiobook with me as I walk my dog Maggie, or I sit back with my softest blanket and turn on a film.
Therein lies the magic!
I like my films like I like my music: pretty, meaningful, and varied! But even though I can appreciate most walks and classifications of film, I have my favorite genres...hey, we all do! I think I am most intrigued, however, when elements of Romanticism bleed into the realistic. While genre classifications are useful in cataloging and framing our understanding of films and their purpose/intentions, its in the mad mixtures that we often find the most delightful and unexpected colors.
When done right, every detail of the film's aesthetic has been considered by the director: From the ingénue's lip color to the height of her ponytail; from the gait of the protagonist to the color of his bicycle... and the curve in the road that he rides upon. The smallest details help masterfully execute the film's vision. While this can also be said about fashion spreads in Vogue or Elle, or even blogger outfits and influencer's Instagram feeds, the real wonder for me is seeing this kind of beauty in motion...all of it set to a fantastically fashioned score.
Film has long been synonymous with the greater, social, cinema experience. These gatherings have been great fodder for everything from family trips, friendly shared experiences, and dates for couples--old and new. As such, one of the earliest of the film genres was aimed at the shared enjoyment of couples looking to spark some romance. The early romance films' influence is so strong in cinema, one could argue that the vast majority of movie genres include many elements of these early romances. And, while the genres have all evolved over the years and hybridized, again and again, the basic tenets of chance encounters, meet-cutes, heartfelt passion, starcrossed and complex love triangles remain strong.
Love is an inexhaustible and eternal topic for movie directors of all times and cultures. They manage to show perfect relationships in very different and difficult situations. When watching such movies, we want to take a deep breath and say, "I wish this were true!" They can also rip out our hearts and put them in a blender with stories of forbidden love or love in impossible situations or environments, such as those doomed romances that unfold against a backdrop of war and violence. They ultimately leave us reaching for our tissues and crying out to the heavens, "Why, why, why?"
While all movies may dip their celluloid toes into the lush waters of romance, they seek to do so in new and intriguing ways. Sometimes, they explore the idea of immortality: does love last forever? Will it really, as Celine Dion seems to suggest in her sweeping Titanic score, "go on and on" (even after Jack has slipped into the icy waters of the Atlantic?) The notion of immortality, in love relationships or in our protagonists, themselves; is a concept rife with dramatic possibilities both philosophical and emotional. Age of Adaline, like Tuck Everlasting and even the Twilight series, explores this notion of "what if?" What if you could stop aging? What happens to our potential to love another if "growing old together" becomes a merely one-sided experience? (Age of Adaline trailer link)
The second film on the docket for the Year 1 scholars, we have Chocolat. This film brings to mind the idea of the magical female. A woman comes into a new place, and with her colorful and lively spirit, changes the lives of all around her. You may find yourselves reminded of The Secret Garden, Sound of Music, or even Mary Poppins! I think there must be some collective unconsciousness that appeals to all of us in the stories that unfold in this way; the women act as generous mother figures who breeze in and fix what is wrong with the world around them through their love and clarity. What is nice about these stories is even as our beloved protagonist brings beauty to the people around her, these people, in the end, also have a profound effect on her. (Chocolat trailer link)
Mixing genres seems to be the norm for our films today. Art imitates life, to be sure, and life cannot be put into the box of just one genre. Even when a film carries us away to the enchanting worlds of the director's and screenwriter's imaginations, there is that comforting, grounding realism that makes us hope for just a moment; maybe, just maybe, this could happen! In every genre and/or philosophical mixture, we seem to find some element of love or the possibility of it, too. I think that tells us a little bit about who we are--as viewers and creators. We may go to the movies to escape our lives, but I also believe that we go to the movies to rediscover the very best of them, too.
After watching the films, answer the following questions...
1. What elements of Romanticism (as defined in this blog) do you see?
2. What elements of Realism do you notice?
3. How would you classify the film with respect to genre?
Remember: They don't call it "Hollywood magic" for nothing. Let yourself get swept away in the possibilities as you view these films; but don't forget to appreciate the attention to details and aesthetics as a film student, too!
Cheers, and happy viewing!
ReplyDeleteP1:
The following films, Age of Adaline and Chocolat both represent elements of Romanticism and Realism in their characters and plot. As defined in Romanticism, Chocolat welcomes the viewer to have an open mind, and escape to a whole new world. It can be defined between the relationship of Vienne and Roux, but also for the town to accept something new in their lives and believe in the power of chocolate. Vienne displays herself as original character in Venice, as she does not allow people’s opinions of her to change her lifestyle, Vienne and her daughter challenge the creativity and open-mindedness of the people in town, often by inviting them to challenge their imagination in viewing a spinning bowl, and accurately selecting the chocolate that best aligns with their need or personality. Fascination is further developed as the chocolates mend relationships between wife and husband, and invite back a certain happiness and youthfulness in Armande. Age of Adaline comes closely related to the specifics of Romanticism in the film, as the viewer is challenged to believe in “impossible” situations. With Adaline’s immorality, she often hides it to herself and does not expose her secret in hopes to not worry others and guard her safety. The idea of immortality is already a fantastical one, as it has never happened before in a human’s lifetime. Not only the audience, but other supporting characters in the film have to use an open-mind in order to believe Adaline’s fate. Specifically Adaline’s boyfriend, Ellis, must accept this thought to be a chimerical idea, in order to gain a long lasting relationship with Adaline. The film also leaves interpretations up to the viewer at the end, as perspectives shift, and now the viewer has the opportunity to accept that Adaline has reached a moral life, signified with a gray hair Adaline found. The viewer often surrenders their preconceptions, and accepts the story in order to connect with the characters.
Realism is often a supporting classification of Romanticism. Instead of challenging the viewer's world, Realism keeps things simple, and in the realms of reality. The goal of Realism is to recreate life the way it is and portray characters and events in logical ways to the viewer. In Chocolat, the film never tries to prove that the chocolates are magic, but the ingredients in them have an effect on the characters. The film attempts to stay true to its time in Venice 1959, often playing an appropriate soundtrack of the 50s, and using discussions of war. When Vienne is talking with Guillaume, they discuss the losses faced in the war, which can be alluded to as WWII. Life is not filtered, as complications in marriage and relationships are seen, mainly through Josephine’s abusive situation. Discussions of the Mayan culture and their influence on Vienne’s journey, bring reasoning and logic to the film further with no special effects. In reference to Age of Adaline, although the elements of Romanticism can make Adaline’s immorality seem out of reach, scientific explanations are provided. These ways of proof are discussed by the narrator, who often references terms such as “deoxyribonucleic acid” and “anoxic state”, which convince the viewer that the events taking place are plausible. As Adaline lives through many decades, the scenery, costume choice, and color of the scenes often reflect the time period. For instance, when Adaline views the picture of her at a New Year’s party with what is believed to be during World War II. The scene is colored as she has the flashback of the picture, but then as the camera is shot, it's a black and white picture. Romanticism works to challenge the viewer’s mind and trust in immense possibilities, yet Realism keeps these possibilities grounded and provides explanations for them.
P2:
ReplyDeleteFinally, concerning the genres of both films, there are similarities and differences. Both can be classified as romantic films, as the protagonist falls in love, yet faces the battles that love comes with. Adaline has to decide whether or not to leave Ellis to start her “new life”, and Vienne is judged by her town by welcoming and working with Roux, who is seen as an outsider. The films also share the similarities of being dramas, in which romance is a sub-genre. Characters are represented in a realistic way, and both find drastic character development in the end. From Adaline’s constant change of identity and lifestyle, she decides to finally settle and accept her freedom in mortal life. Vienne was a woman constantly moving in life, believing she had to follow her Mayan cultural roots, however finds love and friendships in her established home in Venice. A difference, however, is Age of Adaline is classified as a fantasy, or more specifically science fiction. The events that take place to allow Adaline her immortality is proven to be feasible, even if far-reaching at times. Overall, both films grant the viewers challenges to their reality but find limits and aspects to drive character development.
1. What elements of Romanticism, as defined in this blog, do you see?
ReplyDeleteChocolat and Age of Adaline both let the viewer’s mind run free with the possibilities of the scenario. Age of Adaline does this especially so. The concept of never aging, practical immortality, comes with limitless possibilities. However, it also comes with missed opportunities. The largest example of the opportunities missed in the film presents itself in the form of love. It becomes impossible for Adaline to grow old with whomever she enters a relationship with, and therefore she vows never to enter a relationship again. The film then introduces a new possibility later on, with Adaline entering a relationship with the son of somebody she used to know. This leads to inevitable conflict.
2. What elements of Realism do you notice?
Chocolat and Age of Adaline are both very situated in reality. Chocolat is situated in a small town in France, which is very classical in its beliefs. The film addresses very real concepts, the ideas of rejecting somebody simply due to their beliefs being different from yours and the ideal of freedom. Vianne Rocher and her daughter Anouk arrive in a traditional French village. The religion-based aspects of the film are centered around traditional christian values. The 40 days of Lent are beginning right when she arrives, and she is seen as an envoy of Satan by the Comte. She is thus rejected by the society. However, the longer she stays there the more she grows on them. At first she is only accepted by those who are already radical, however, the more time that passes, the more people who are viewed as traditional begin to accept her and her standing in their society. By the end of the film, she has managed to institute a change in the society. This reflects how reality often is, where one or more outsiders integrate themselves into the society and their external perspectives can cause a rewrite of the system. While Chocolat is very much an oversimplification of this process, it still very much reflects the transition that societies undergo when outsiders are able to be integrated into the society as a whole.
3. How would you classify the film with respect to genre?
Age of Adaline is very much so a science fiction-based drama. While it isn’t high flying spaceships in a far flung galaxy, Age of Adaline centers around the idea of never aging and backs it with scientific terminology to make it appear somewhat realistic and thus draw the viewer into its plot. Chocolat is a drama-focused comedy. The film takes a comedic approach to restrictive societies and religions yet still develops the characters and their relationships between each other. The comedy is emphasized in the conclusion of the film, where the Comte is seen to have consumed the slightest amount of Vianne’s chocolate and proceeds to eat all of her chocolate in the display in a frenzied manner. The Comte then falls asleep and wakes up to Vianne and his apprentice having seen him in the display case. This is situational irony, as the Comte is seen as the most reserved person of their society yet even he has fallen head over heels for Vianne’s chocolate.
The element of Romanticism in Chocolat comes from her candy, as we see that she has a knack for knowing people’s favorites and with her ancient Mayan recipes, the people believe it does what she says it does, like rekindling the love in relationships. In Age of Adaline, the element of Romanticism is explored throughout the entire movie, with us believing it can be possible for a reaction of that sort with electricity and “science” can create immortality, and this realization hits William when he discovers a mark that only Adaline would have, and we feel everything he feels in an instant. This later hits us when she is no longer immortal after a second car crash, as she finds that she now has gray hair.
ReplyDeleteIn both films, the realism comes from the backstory of the main character in their respective films, Adaline in Age of Adaline and Vianne in Chocolat. In both of their stories, their constant need for leaving prevented them from being able to pursue love, believing this as the only way, hurting themselves in the process, in Adaline’s case it was also her immortality. The struggles of trying to belong in their communities while trying to remain detached effectively represents realism and becomes relatable for the audience.
In Age of Adaline, I would classify it as a science fiction, drama and fantasy respectively. The science fiction aspect comes from the exploration of the way the DNA in Adaline changed because of a lightning strike, and works to explain that in a scientific manner. The drama aspect comes from the plotline that Adaline hasn't been able to look for love since she wouldn't be able to grow old with them because of her condition, keeping her immortal. Finally, the fantasy aspect comes from the supernatural event explained by possible science with the lightning causing her immortality and paramedics “removing” her immortality with another strike from a defibrillator. With Chocolat, I would classify it as a comedy, drama, and an epic. The drama and comedic aspects work hand in hand, with the romance brewing between Vianne and Roux going with Vianne’s interactions with the townspeople like Armande when they stopped for chocolate, and another pairing with Vianne and Josephine, bringing the town closer together despite the burning of Roux’s ships. The epic comes into play with the setting and mention of German war, which was not too long ago based on the setting of 1959, and the story of Vianne’s mother with her father plays into the story of Vianne’s travels.
In the films, I see both romantic and realism aspects. During Age of Adaline I noticed the romanticism elements emphasizing what should be from Adeline’s daughter. Adeline’s daughter encourages her to find someone to spend her life with despite the fact that she does not age. When she is able to find someone, she wants to tell him what her secret that she kept but she is scared. The audience integrates their own thoughts and opinions on her choices that she made by allowing them to see Adaline’s internal conflict with herself and how the audience might choose between choosing to tell her secret to her lover or maintaining the secret. At the end of the film, Adaline chooses to confess her best kept secret and he accepts her as someone who he is deeply in love with. This romantic element was prominent because despite Adaline’s deepest fears of being rejected, he accepts her and soldiers the idea of ‘what should be.’ After confessing their love for each other, there is a resolution to the driving force of the movie which had been Adaline inability to age. At the end of the movie, Adaline is shown to slowly age and can finally spend a normal life with who she loves rather than being in constant contact, which seems mildly unrealistic because it was in fortunate circumstances that her issue was resolved but is also a characteristic of romanticism. I would classify the movie as a drama and a romance.
ReplyDeleteBesides demonstrating elements of romanticism, Age of Adaline also showcases realism elements, which include elements of life as realistically as possible. Anyone who is unable to age would be happy at first but soon, they would begin to worry that their identity would be discovered. Her fears were solidified when the government began to investigate and ran away from the possibility of being found. In this aspect, the audience is able to understand her dilmas of leaving people she falls in love with because she is afraid to settle anywhere or with anyone.
I found that Chocolat had been a more realistic film. Firstly, there were no scientific c fiction elements but focused on a normal life of the French. The town had been strictly Catholic town and quite devoted and conservative. They had been immediately disturbed by an atheist, single mother with a child who was more flamboyant. The realistic aspects of the movie were driven by the mother that could see genuine problems that all the town’s people were going through. Most of the problems that the townspeople were going through were able to be related to by the audience. Emotions conveyed in the film were most realistic because of the impulses, fears, and anger that each of the characters felt. Between the relationship of Viviane and her daughter, their relationship revolved around each other til they finally settled in a town after they found a home and were accepted into the town. By finally settling into the town, this is an element of romanticism that was equally incorporated into the film. Chocolate is a seemingly small food, and seems to have no significant impact on someone’s life. However, every time that Viviane would give someone chocolate, their life would be changed in a more positive way which seems unrealistic to them. For Chocolat I would also label it as a drama and a romance.
Part 1:
ReplyDeleteRomanticism doesn’t only explore romance and relationships within a film, but the imaginative components and how they connect the story with the viewer. Age of Adaline explores ideas that are considered impossible, making it so that the viewer has to surrender to the story and embrace the possibilities of “what if”. This is because the story follows Adaline Bowman as she lives her life with immortality. By exploring a story based on immortality, the film encompasses the power of imagination leaving the viewer submersed in feeling. Not only does Age of Adaline explore physical immortality through Adaline’s experience, but the idea of immortal love is also connected to explore the aspect of romance in intriguing ways. When Adaline finds Ellis, she attempts to create distance in their relationship to prevent heartbreak for both of them; however, Ellis becomes her closest companion. Their relationship signifies how Ellis was willing to love Adaline unconditionally despite her condition, representing how her physical immortality translated to her relationship of immortal love. These ideas of love that grow in unexpected circumstances can also be seen in Chocolat with the relationships between the protagonist, Vianne. The relationship that can be seen in this circumstance is the romance that blooms between Vianne and Roux, an outsider of the village. In addition to this romance, like Age of Adaline, Chocolat explores an imaginative narrative through the idea of chocolate that mends and connects. While the film doesn’t take time to prove that the chocolate in the film is magical in itself, it demonstrates how relationships and communities were healed, leaving the audience pondering over its capabilities. While both films shared these imaginative details, both explored aspects of real life, as well.
Real-life is explored within the films as they use the medium to recreate life in an accurate and honest context. While Age of Adaline explores the “what if” regarding immortality, it keeps the viewer grounded under consideration of how she is simply trying to live like anyone else. This forms a connection with the audience as Adaline pushes people away in order to protect others and herself from having to cope with more pain and emotion. The classification of realism within Age of Adaline can be seen, not only when considering what is explored in the story, but how the story is represented. This is because it follows a documentary-style film with narration and storylines that venture into the past, allowing for further context and dedication to portraying the real world in spite of the fantastical elements of immortality. Chocolat portrays real-world scenarios, as well, when considering the types of relationships within the community at hand. Not only are there romantic relationships, but familial and societal. For example, Vianne and her daughter, Anouk, begin with a strained relationship as they move from city to city; however, by the end, they become closer as they embrace their roles in the village and become aware of the emotional baggage that separated them from each other. This, in addition to the separation that Vianne faces from the rest of the village, creates a space that connects people that have faced similar circumstances and portrays an honest world.
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ReplyDeleteWith these real and imaginative backgrounds set for the movies, genres combine through their characteristics. For example, Chocolat falls under the conventions of the drama genre with a sub-genre of romance. This is because the protagonist follows the plot with simple interactions that lead to the creation of romance. This is seen in Age of Adaline, as well, based on its conventions. The aspects of the protagonists finding and experiencing love ties it into the romance genre, while the philosophical and emotional possibilities within the film make it classified under drama. This is because drama films are driven by realistic characters, situations, and stories that involve intense character development; romance falls under this as a sub-genre as these characteristics include the development of romantic relationships that act as a driving force, as well. Age of Adaline does not only follow these conventions but also fits under the science fiction genre as it uses its imaginative characteristics under the technology of DNA as it consistently narrates the science of “deoxyribonucleic acid”. These events classify it through reality and fantasy. The combination of genres and valuable characteristics makes the two films what they are in the sense of romanticism and realism, as well as mixed-genre, through blending conventions.
Tyler Dolack
ReplyDeleteElements of romanticism and realism are evident in both Chocolat and Age of Adaline. In Chocolat, the entire film is quite imaginative, while still remaining possible. A foreign woman, Vianne, arrives in a bitter village and provides them with an unfamiliar perspective of their lives. This could happen in the real world. However, it is unlikely that Vianne would provide this perspective by giving chocolate. The film allows the audience to believe that it is the chocolate that magically changes the villagers' lives, however, it is Vianne who does all the work. She is the one who unites a grandma with her grandson, saves a wife from an abusive relationship, and turns the mayor’s fixed mindset to one that is more accepting. The chocolate is merely a tool she uses to make people more accepting of her advice. It is playful thinking to believe that the chocolate and the chocolate alone magically does these things for the villagers. The entire film hides under a veil of romanticism while firmly remaining realistic. Due to that, I would consider this film to be a more realistic drama rather than a romantic drama.
Romanticism and realism is also present in Age of Adeline, which follows the story of Adeline, a woman who is not affected by the passing of time. This film is almost the opposite of Chocolat, as it is an imaginative story about something that the film proves to be possible. Adeline ends up in an accident that makes her immortal, something that is impossible, but the film explains it in a way that makes it sound possible. This conflict of possible and impossible is the essence of romanticism and realism. Even in the film, Adeline doesn’t believe it is possible and at first tries to explain her unaging form through skin products and diets. Once she accepts that she might be immortal, Adeline again tries to find an explanation, but fails. It is this disbelief that some might argue is realism. When Adeline is unable to find an explanation, she moves on and tries to live as normal a life as possible. A normal life is realism, yet Adeline cannot live a normal life while being immortal. Whenever she takes on a lover, she must abandon them because she cannot have that normal life. It is unfortunate, but that is the imaginative portrayal of the film. The entire film is a big “what if”, as it begs the question “what if we could live forever?” That question is imaginative, and yet the film answers it in a realistic way by stating why it would be not good. For that reason, Age of Adeline would be a romantic drama.