Narrative

Todorov's Theory

Todorov’s theory recognises the usual pattern for a storyline. This can often be applied to the vast majority of films.

One film which clearly complies with Todorov’s theory is “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)

The beginning equilibrium is that the main character, Don Lockwood, is a silent movie star who can just tolerate his co-star, Lina Lamont, and they pretend, for publicity to be romantically involved. Their films are very successful, and are both very famous actors.

The disruption of the film is that “The Jazz Singer”, a film with sound, has been very successful so all film companies are now using sound in their movies.

The recognition is that there is success from sound films, so there is no option but to turn the next Lockwood and Lamont film into a “talkie”. The problem is that Lina’s voice is not seen as suitable for the sound.

The repair for the disruption is for Kathy, Don’s love interest to talk over Lina’s acting, so it sounds like Lina’s voice. However, the audience’s find out that it is Kathy’s voice not Lina’s and she is “the real star of the film”.

The new equilibrium is Don and Kathy to star in their sound film together, “Singin’ in the Rain”.

Levi Strauss' Theory

Another recognises theory is Levi Strauss’ theory, of there being binary opposition. This is clearly visible in Titanic (1997).

Some opposition are:

Rich vs. Poor: Rose’s family expect her to marry into her own class, not someone who is of a lower class.

Male vs. Female: There are clearly to main characters, and Rose is supposed to act like a typical “woman” of that era.

Good vs. Bad: Jack is a good man, and Rose’s true love, which is against Cal, who is a conman who does not want to be humiliated.

Propp's Theory

Propp’s theory relates to both characters and narrative.

He outlined the different roles in films, which is obvious in the film Bridesmaids (2011):

Hero= Annie

Villian= Helen

The Princess/Prize= Lillian, her best friend

The Donor= Rhodes

The Dispatcher= Helen

The Mentor= Annie’s mother

Bridesmaids also relates to Propp’s theory of narrative.

Preparation: Annie lives in Wisconsin, near to her best friend. She has a job and lives with two room mates.

Complication: Lillian is getting married and moving away. Helen, is Lillian’s good friend who makes Annie feel threatened. Annie meets a police officer, Rhodes, who she explains her troubles to.

Transference: Annie is given the chance to be maid of honour and on several occasions, ruins the plans for the wedding preparations.

Struggle: Lillian and Annie are now barely talking, she is forced to move in with her mother, who is helping her life get back on track, after losing her job. Annie is no longer speaking to Rhodes who had become her love interest, and on the day of the wedding Helen tells Annie that Lillian has gone missing.

Recognition: Rhodes helps Annie find Lillian. Lillian and Annie make up and Lillian gets married. Rhodes and Annie then make up and she is now happy to have her best friend back.