Genre codes and conventions essay

For my A2 film studies creative project I have decided to explore the gangster genre. Although codes and conventions change all the time I have decided to explore the typical codes and conventions of the gangster genre in order to create a film based up these codes and conventions.

Violence and murder are often seen as a typical gangster genre convention. This has been a convention of the gangster genre as violence and murder represent a lot of power and authority and that role is well established by a gangster in a gangster film, for example in ‘Reservoir Dogs’ the scene were Mr Blonde cuts of the victims ear, this represents the power that the antagonist has over the protagonist and therefore how violence is a convention of the gangster genre. Furthermore the affect the spectator feels from scenes of violence would be that of disgust but also know that these are key scenes in establishing the gangster within the film.

 

 

 

 

 

Another convention of the gangster genre would be the use of wealth, again being wealthy in a gangster movie means that the antagonist (gangster) has more power and authorities therefore making the antagonist seem like a more powerful figure within the film. Wealth is also used as a way of making a gangster lifestyle more appealing to the spectator, as usually in the films the gangster has a classic, expensive cars which makes them seem more appealing as a hero rather than someone would does bad things for a personal gain.

Mise-en-scene often affects the conventions of the gangster genre. In gangster films the gangsters often wear suits which again show wealth and power over anyone less superior then they are. Suits may also represent how they think that they look professional and that what they do is a career and that this lifestyle fits into the norm of everyday society. Suits also represent how they present themselves well and therefore care for other people’s opinions, although through violence  and murder they show how they’re not ready to accept other peoples values and opinions and therefore are people who are often mis-understood through their actions and how they behave themselves.

A regular theme within the narrative is a life of crime from a young age. For example in Goodfella’s Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) states in voice over that ‘As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.’ This represents how crime in gangster movies starts from a young age and progresses into adulthood making them the person that they are. In Goodfella’s particularly crime from a young age seems to be the bases of the cause for the destructive adulthood, in Goodfella’s we see what caused the character Henry Hill to think the way he does from years of physical abuse from his father and from the social pressures to become something everyone else saw as the right thing to do.  Films with themes of violence from a young age could be influenced by gangster of society, for example Al Capone often participated with violence from a young age and therefore makes the films seem more believable if the narrative follows a real life story which Goodfella’s does by being based up the mobsters Henry Hill.

 

 

Young Henry Hill

                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Older Henry Hill

 

Location is a key element in making a gangster movie. Typically big cities are used as these are the places were more crime is committed and therefore more crime is ready to commit. Also a big city location means that there are more people to control as a gangster is all about gaining power within the less powerful of society.

Big cities such a New York and Chicago are typically used, films which are set in New York or Chicago include:

·         Goodfella’s (NYC)

·         The Godfather and the Godfather 2 (NYC)

·         Public Enemy (Chicago)

·         Gangs of New York (NYC)

By having a large location like New York and Chicago it means that there are many locations to choose from and a typical location for a killing or crime would be in many of New York’s alleyways. And in old style gangster movies usually a shoot-out would occur in a bar or club between rival gang members.  Another location for a robbery is usually a bank were by the gangster takes from the hard working and keeps the money for himself, bank robberies of this sort usually end in a fatality. An example of a gangster bank robbery would be ‘Public Enemy’ were by John Dillinger (played by Johnny Depp and based upon a bank robber/ gang member) robs a bank during the great depression in America (1930s).

 

Lastly a convention of the gangster genre would be the rise and fall of the gangster. This is where by the spectator has seen the gangster throughout the film getting what he wants through crime, all these crimes lead to success. At the end of the film the gangster or mob of gangster are often punished for their crimes, either by being brought to justice by the authorities or being killed by rival gangs. An example of this is ‘The Godfather’ (1972) were Vito Corleone (head mobster) and his gang are all killed, following this a new boss (Don Corleone) is put in charge and ‘The Godfather 2’ is followed.  

 

In conclusion I believe that the gangster codes and conventions make sure that the spectator knows that the gangster is in a position of authority and has power upon his control.  Although a rise and fall storyline is a convention it’s to make sure that good reins over evil and that crime doesn’t pay, the message of ‘The Godfather’ was certainly that and as a convention is what is expected however codes and conventions are only their as a guide line and can be broken.

Another key point that I have learnt is that to make a successful gangster movie a lot of the codes and conventions have to be well thought about to be made successful and to come across to the audience in a way that represents the gangster genre.