Representation in The Vow

The preferred reading of this film is initially based on a good mood where the film is set in an American, friendly urban area. Since we can establish that a man and woman are focused on as the principle characters, we typically assume that they are in a relationship, forcing our reading into understanding the genre of the film as being romantic. However as the events unfold in the opening scene the preferred reading changes to a more bleak mood where the reading is instead altered as we begin to interpret the film differently, rather into a romantic film that will explain the strain of an accident on a couple's marriage.

There are several factors that do play a part in engaging the reader into the film. One of the factors includes the voice over delivered by Channing Tatum's character giving the effect that he is directly addressing the audience. Moreover, the use of slow motion creates a more shocking experience with as close of an experience to that of a real car crash if the audience were to witness one. Thus the involvement is further intensified.

Location


From this shot we are given the reading that the film takes place in an friendly, urban area not riddled with crime, as may be associated with urban areas in many other films. Outside, a heavy layer of snow lines the street and cars, forever deepening as the snow falls from the sky. Immediately we get the impression that it is the middle of winter.

Music Box: cinema the couple just left

In this long shot we can see bright lights making the 'Music Box' stand out in the night. Since the lights are actually there, promoting the cinema (as is supposed to be) we can establish that the area isn't worn down, suggesting the area is moderately respectable and the wealth of the area is around 'average' rather than within poor conditions or higher class conditions where we would expect to see prestigious buildings.


Sound

As soon as the scene starts very soothing non-diegetic music plays. Among this the soft diegetic buzz of the cinema lights can be heard. Following this we heard the diegetic sound of the door opening and closing as the couple walk out of the cinema. As there is a long shot of the snow-filled streets, a non-diegetic sound effect resembling 'twinkling' can be heard so as to create a majestic effect caused by the snow. This helps in reflecting the beauty of the snow. Again, the sound of the cinema doors opening plays and the bustle of several people talking can be heard. Along with the additional diegetic noises being played (car door slam, seat belt being pulled, car puling away etc.) the music suddenly ends and this time diegetic music plays in the background, coming from the car's radio. Once the car has stopped the music ends and despite the dialogue between the characters, there is silence. Not long after this there is a voice over from one of the characters at which point non-diegetic incidental music fades in, building suspense. However, for only a moment the music fades out by which time the diegetic sound of a large vehicle skidding to a stop and crashing into the car, smashing glass at the same time,  is all that's heard. As the woman flies from the window, the music is slow and controlled adding to the suspense already established by the slow motion effect. As soon as she lands on the bonnet the music fades out slightly and is altered so that the diegetic sound of the wind becomes a very prominent sound. Behind non-diegetic music which build as the shot gets lifts higher, the faint diegetic sound of ambulance sirens can be heard. At the hospital the diegetic whirs of the hospital equipment and staff within it emphasize the intensity and significance of the incident.

Mood/atmosphere

The high key lighting in this film is provided by lamplight which i would expect to have been created through using larger lights other than those used in the set, so that the characters could be seen more easily. However it appears that no exact filter has been applied to the opening scene. In establishing a mood the light helps to create a more natural effect to create a realistic atmosphere, which in turn effects the audience in different ways depending on what's happening in each shot.

Music, on the other hand, is particularly significant at creating a mood and atmosphere. From the beginning the softening music is relaxing and so creates a warm and comforting atmosphere. The diegetic music played from the radio helps to establish the preferred reading further in showing how much the couple believe in love and love one another passionately. As with the silence before the crash the atmosphere changes and the sense of safety is gone. From here the contradicting statement that the husband makes via voice over, along with the harsh sounds of the vehicle colliding with the car turns the atmosphere cold and negative. The intensity of the melancholic music increases as the camera draws away from the scene, establishing an indefinite atmosphere filled with hopelessness and desolation.

Title

The credits at the start of the opening scene give information on the primary people to have been involved in making the film as an accreditation to those who have helped make the film possible. Following this the title fades in as the background is set out of focus. The fact that this has been done causes the audience to draw their attention to the title rather than what's happening in the background which is quite useful, particularly in knowing that titles can be ignored if something interesting is occurring in the background. The typography of the text is slightly informal and made white so that it can be seen above the background. The colour may have also been specified this way because of the fact that the film is about vows and the colour white has connotations of innocence and purity, a reflection of the meaning behind vows and their relation to the holy spirit in religion. The text is also in capital locks with 'VOW' having been written using a larger font for the purpose of catching the viewer's eye easier. Just as it arrived, the text fades as the same non-diegetic, calm and soothing music resides, playing in the background.