The film generally follows the conventions of the RomCom genre, especially concerning gender. Much of the camera framework is used to demonstrate male superiority and female inferiority, shots such as two-shots, close-ups and long-shots, accompanied with high or low angles and editing techniques such as shot-reverse-shot etc emphasise this point. An example may be where Hugh Grant, playing the Prime Minister is higher in the frame than his female secretary. This not only demonstrates a superior position through gender but also through power and social status.
Concerning the narrrative, 'Love Actually' is unique as it does not follow the conventions of most RomCom films. 'Love Actually' uses multi-narratives to tell the story and introduce all the characters, non-continuity editing is used to allow the story to flow. However, in reference to Media theorist Todorov, all narratives have a conventional equilibirum-disequilibrium-resolution storyline and most if not all of the separate narratives have a happy ending- again conventional to the RomCom genre. Furthermore, Syd Field- a second Media theorist- agreed with the work of Todorov in part as he also explained that all storylines follow a beginning, middle and end structure similar to that suggested by Todorov.
By looking in more detail at one individual storyline, Hugh Grant plays the role of Prime Minister while his secretary is the attractive female Martine McCutcheon. Grant plays the lonely power-stricken character who in theory has everything he needs, e.g. power, success and money (this is the equilibrium). However, it soon becomes clear that Grant requires love to solve his problems (this is the disequilibrium). Grant finds solace through an unlikely source, his female secretary who is an average citizen and certainly not someone who the press would look lovingly upon if Grant was to take the relationship further becuase of his high political and celebrity position (the disequilibrium is continued). However, Grant ignores the opinions of others and proceeds to follow his heart and build a romantic relationship with his secretary therefore making him completely happy as he has finally found the missing piece- love (this is the resolution). The mini narrative has a 'happy-ending', this is conventional of the RomCom genre.
Lastly, stereotypical features such as sex, nudity and the traditional kiss can also be highlighted as they are conventional to the RomCom genre.
Will Piper
