Couples Retreat
A comedy, drama. Four couples, which are close friends end up in paradise as they try to save their friends marriage. They arrive everything seems to be going well, but it is not long until drama kicks of as they find out they all have to attend couples therapy which starts problems in their marriages but it is still full of comedy.
In couples retreat there are clear uses of cinematography, editing, sound and mis-en-scene.
There is a lot of use of non-diagetic music, which has been added at different scenes.
Sound's
As the opening titles start there is an upbeat happy song, which makes us interested and keeps us entertained through until the movie starts. This music is quickly stopped when we hear a clatter of pans falling (diagetic sound). Then a little bit of comedy is introduced as the son pees the bed, this is then followed by a short guitar sequence. We then hear diagetic sounds of cups being placed back on table, spreading butter on toast, the sound of his steps. When family is in car we hear a mixture of non- diagetic and diagetic sound, of the car moving and cars around on the road and then we hear non-diagetic sound of the children’s video game. When ‘Dave’ is on phone to ‘Shane’ we hear the different sounds of what is going on in their backgrounds.
Looking at the Mis-en-scene such as their clothes, we can tell that it’s very cold how they have all are wearing big jackets and hats on. It is set in our time (21st century), as they are up to date on their technology. We see a dramatic difference on the props, which surround the actors when they arrive at their holiday destination (Eden East). As they are wearing bright colourful clothes, as we can tell by the high key lighting and how little clothes they have on that it is very warm. Their personalities seem to be a lot happier and relaxed. The difference of living conditions upgrade hugely as they have, five star restaurants, pools, Jacuzzis, spas and separate villas.
There is a wide range of cinematography used in just a little amount of time. The first shot they use is a panning shot, which starts at ‘Dave’s’ feet then slowly pans up to his head. We then have a P.O.V (point of view) shot of dad looking at son and then shot reverse of son looking at dad. When family is sitting down at table there is high and low angles used when husband is taking to wife, because husband is sitting down. Another pan shot is used when the car is driving by. When Dave and his wife are in shop having a discussion they use the shot technique shot reverse shot, this shows us both actors reactions when talking. When ‘Shane’ Is on phone and he looks through the window at his girlfriend they use a subjective shot. They use natural lighting to film in the morning and in light areas, which looks quite dull. They then go to use added lighting when indoors with no windows. They directors then use the camera technique A.E.V (ants eye view & birds eye view) B.E.V. when mum and dad are looking at small son and when son is looking up at dad.
This movie does use the three theories. Tzvetan Todorov, Vladamir Propp and Claude Levi Strauss. Todorov’s theory happens as it starts of equilibrium, then we have a crisis then a few complications and by the end of the movie everything is resolved. Propp’s theory is that there is a villain, a hero, damsel and distress, a false hero etc. They have all these characteristics as they are on holiday. We have Dave as the hero, he leads them all across the island. Synthia, as damsel in distress when she falls in the sea and more. Strauss’s theory takes place how they have kind/evil, relaxed/strict, flexible/inflexible and many more through out this film.
By using these theories it does make the film quite predictable, but we know that it will be a happy ending.
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