How far do the narratives of the films you have studied for this topic communicate similar messages

and values? [40]

The narratives of the Working Title films that I have chosen seem to follow a particular pattern and this together with the fact that the films tend to be of the same genre results in very similar messages and values being communicated throughout each film. Four Weddings and a Funeral (Newell, 1994) and Notting Hill (Michell, 1999) are particularly similar both in terms of narrative structure and messages and values. It is these patterns exhibited within Working Title romantic comedies that ensures that these films will enjoy financial success; the audience is sure to get what they want. The opening sequence of Four Weddings introduces us to our reluctant hero Charles and his unusual group of friends. Charles seems to be a charming, normal and relatively good looking young man, but the fact that he is waking up alone and the non-diegetic love song playing in the background have the effect of informing the audience that love will be valued throughout the film. We already suspect that our main characters search for love will be the basis of the films narrative. In a very similar way, Notting Hill opens with a traditional and fairly clichd love song being played over a montage sequence introducing a beautiful woman who we can only assume is the central love interest. This is followed by a scene in which our reluctant hero Will (a charming, normal, good looking man played, once again, by Hugh Grant) walks through Notting Hill telling us in voice over about how unlucky he has been in love in the past. We once again assume that the narrative will be dominated by his search for love. Indeed, we suspect that love will be the central value in this film. Both films open with similar narrative devices and seem to convey identical messages. As the narratives of both films progress, we meet Charles and Wills groups of friends. These friends provide both comedy for the audience and support for the hero and as things go wrong for the hero in both narratives the message of the importance of friendship is presented. In Four Weddings Gareths funeral coincides with Carries wedding and Charles is presented as being at a very low point in his life. His friends try to soothe and encourage him and he
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has heart to heart talks with both Tom and Matthew. We see that without Carrie, Charles friends are the most important people in his life; the audience is being taught the value of true friendship. In much the same way, in Notting Hill after Will is abandoned once again by Anna Scott, he turns to his friends and we see the support that they offer him. They listen silently as he tells them of his problems and then try to offer comforting words. Once again, the similar narrative structures of these Working Title romantic comedies reflect similar messages about the importance of true friendships. As the narratives draw to a close, the overall messages and values being presented return once again to the importance of true love and supportive friendship. In Four Weddings Charles brother David helps him towards the right decision and his friends gather round him after he jilts Duck Face at the altar. The climax of the narrative occurs as Carrie comes to see him and he finally confesses his love before kissing her in the rain. As the montage of photographs of his friends wedding is displayed we are left with two distinct messages; true love conquers all and real friends will always be there for you. Notting Hill ends in a very similar way. Wills friends help him in his race across London to the press conference where he confesses his love to Anna. The final moments of the film show the pairs wedding and we can see his friends smiling happily as they celebrate. Once again the messages of love conquering all and the lasting nature of friendship are presented to the audience in this typical happy ending. It is interesting that even in a more unusual WT2 comedy like Shaun of the Dead (Wright, 2004) which focuses on zombies rather than romance, we are left with very similar messages. Shauns motivation in fighting the undead is to salvage his relationship with girlfriend Liz and the final sequence shows them on a regular Sunday, drinking tea and planning their trip to the pub. True friend Ed isnt forgotten, and although he is a zombie, he is still there in the garden shed for Shaun to play computer games with! In true formulaic fashion, love conquers all (even flesh-eating zombies!) and friendship lasts. Each of the Working Title comedies that I have looked at follows predictable three act narrative structures and presents very similar messages and values ensuring that audiences looking for predictable yet satisfying films will get exactly what they want.
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