It’s Kind of More Research (pt.2)

Unlike Keir, I am going to do a lot of research on my genre’s opening sequences. That being said here is my continuation of my analysis from It’s Kind of a Funny Story.

Costume

I had just left off discussing how the director’s use of sting made way for the dramatic change in tone presented by the introduction of three new characters. These three new characters are Craig’s parents and younger sister. They are presented as a normal nuclear style family ( a mom, a dad, a son, and a daughter) and every detail, from their clothing to their dialogue, emphasize this fact.

Their costumes present them as a kind loving family. Both women are wearing bright colorful hats and scarves, the mother is wearing natural looking makeup and the daughter has her hair done in pigtail braids. This shows the mother’s caring nature by showing she would not only take time to take care of herself (makeup) but her child as well (braided hair and hat). In addition to this the girl’s hair style also emphasizes her innocence. The father’s style also portrays him as a kind bumbling father, a common stereotype in family films. He is not super fit or out of shape, and he has a receding hair line but has a beard.

Dialogue

Dialogue also plays a key role in portraying this family dynamic. The father refers to Craig as “Sport” and the mother refers to him as “Honey” both common endearing terms used by parents that seem cheesy and out of place in the given context.

The family’s kind hearted, innocent nature seems almost sarcastic given the situation. It is odd that the parents are not freaking out that their son is trying to kill himself, they act as if it has happened before, maybe it has. This weird aspect of the story adds the comedy to the drama.

Other aspects of dialogue outside of what the parents call Craig also add to this comedy. Throughout the enter interaction they have with Craig they are more concerned about the state of Craig’s bike than Craig himself.

Throughout the dialogue with the bike it seems like they are using the bike as a symbol for Craig. The fact that the father has spent a lot of money on the bike and that the sister may want to use it when she is older symbolizes that the parents have put a lot into raising Craig and want him to be around to help raise his sister too.

This blatant disregard for emotion that comes with comedy mixes with the harsh realities presented by the dramatic plot of this excerpt from the movie making it off putting at times to the viewer. But over all the effect is intriguing and when mixed with awesome freeze frames like the one below,

the viewer begins to see what puts the funny in It’s Kind of a Funny Story.

Resources:

“Keir Gilchrist Quotes.” BrainyQuote, Xplore, http://www.brainyquote.com/authors/keir-gilchrist-quotes.

YouTube, youtu.be/s6g71gTLZQE.