Monday, 19 November 2012

Student response to Exam Practice


'To what extent are your chosen texts typical of their genre?'

Good Response
In 'Sin City' many film noir conventions can be seen that are typical of the genre.The cynical protagonists in 'Sin City' are the main characters who are flawed and who don't value their own lives, these types of characters are one such convention that is a recurring feature of the genre or style. For example, Dwight is a cynical protagonist because he doesn't value his own life, he risks it all for Shellie, a typical femme fatale character role in the genre. By going after Jackie Boy, a corrupt cop (another regular convention) who is seen beating Shellie, Dwight chooses to protect Shellie which ultimately leads to his downfall. A specific scene which indicates Dwight's character is a cynical protagonist is seen when he is driving along in the car with Jackie's dead body sitting next to him. Jackie begins to talk and Dwight tells him to shut up. This indicates that he isn't in a secure mental state as Jackie is dead, he doesn't value a life who he regards as having no moral worth.

The use of a voice over narrative gives an insight into the cynical views of these types of male characters and allows the audience to view the world from their cynical perspective. One of the final scenes in the film, features John Hartigan, another cynical protagonist, like Dwight he also has a flaw, a heart condition. In the scene John shoots himself in the head, the voiceover lets the audience know why he is doing it and explains his actions with a very cynical outlook upon life. If he commits suicide then the villains will no longer go after Nancy (his femme fatale) by stating "An old man dies, a young girl lives" - another jaded and fatalistic viewpoint on the way this 'black and white' world functions.

Femme fatales also represent the power that has been gained for women and the scenes of the women in Old Town is a direct reference to the way that women had gained power during WWII. One scene in particular which shows the use of a femme fatale character is the scene with Dwight, Shellie and Jackie Boy. Dwight is at Shellie's flat when Jackie arrives, Jackie threatens Shellie, she is dressed very provocatively and uses her body and sexuality to try to distract the henchmen. She fakes whimpers' when on the floor to try to gain control of the situation, and is hit violently by Jackie, her vulnerability highlights the violence that is typically used by men to restore the patriarchal domination. Dwight's strong moral code to protect women highlights the way that a femme fatale must still rely upon a male, but also reflects their ability to be the cause of their demise too. These types of narrative events are a recurring convention of the genre and in 'Sin City' resemble the original film noir features of the 40's and 50's such as 'Double Indemnity' and 'D.O.A.' making them clearly typical.

Weaker response
'Sin City' is a post modern hybrid film, with a mix of several genres, including film noir, comic book and horror, as well as elements of romance. The genre of the film has been described as Neo-Noir, a modern type of film noir with updated themes, content and style.

'Sin City' itself is a film adaptation of the graphic comic book by Frank Miller of the same name.

The film adapts the film noir genre by using many conventions often found within typical films of the same genre. the use of femme fatale and a corrupt cop/false hero who smokes is classic film noir. The run down society setting where it rains a lot, and gives the film a sense of pathetic fallacy. Also the use of voice over and a non linear narrative helps to make the film typical of the film noir genre.

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