This week’s reading on film genres in Film Art explored how genres work, I specifically found the importance of genre conventions in shaping viewer expectations. As I read the chapter, I noticed exciting connections between this chapter and the films we’ve watched so far, including Rear Window and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Viewing these films through the lens of genre alone gives me a better understanding of how the directors’ choices both add to and challenge their respective genres. Genres provide filmmakers with a structure to tell stories in a way that resonates with audiences who share a common understanding of these patterns.
The Grand Budapest Hotel combines elements of genres. While it can be categorized under comedy, it blends adventure, mystery, and drama. The movie uses familiar elements like a heist, a murder mystery, and a chase, all presented in Anderson’s distinctive visual style, which is very innovative under the comedy branch, creating a narrative that feels timeless yet distinct.
Walters, Jack. “See How They Run: Adrien Brody’s 10 Best Movies, according to Letterboxd.” ScreenRant, Screen Rant, 25 Sept. 2022, screenrant.com/see-how-they-run-adrien-brodys-best-movies-letterboxd/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
Rear Window follows the conventions of a thriller, like building suspense and mystery, but Hitchcock uses unique choices (such as the confined setting and restricted viewpoint) to amplify the genre’s impact. By limiting what we see to only what the protagonist sees, Hitchcock intensifies the suspense, drawing us deeper into the story. This approach shows how he works within genre expectations while pushing boundaries, aligning with the idea that genre conventions shape viewer expectations but also allow directors to add depth and originality.
Together, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Rear Window show how genre conventions can ground a film’s themes and shape viewer expectations while giving directors room to experiment. Viewing these films through genre shows how filmmakers use familiar styles to explore deeper themes. Genres provide a recognizable structure, but the inventive twists and other choices within these genres bring fresh insights.
This video really helped me understand genre in films and overall.