Dear John Trailer analysis

The trailer for 'Dear John' clearly shows that this film is of a romantic genre. For example, the setting of the trailer at the start is of a beach and it looks quite sunny and hot, this is a typical setting for a romantic film and it is lighthearted, there is also a reoccurring theme of the moon and moonlight which is also seen as quite romantic.

The trailer states that the movie is based off a novel by Nicholas Sparks. Nicholas Sparks is a famous author and is known for his romantic novels. It is also stated that the novel comes from the author of 'The Notebook'. The Notebook is a very well known film and novel therefore, the information given in the trailer sets a high standard for this film and the audience have some idea about the genre of the film and what sort of things to expect due to it being the work from this specific author. The audience will expect to see some sort of happy ending.

Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum are both well known actors, they are also the types of actors and audience would expect to see in a romantic film. Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried have however been in different types of genre of film, but the main work would be of a romantic genre.

The iconography within the trailer would be the Iraq War. From this the audience can expect there to be some sort of separation between the two characters due to this. It also hints at it causing problems between the two of them. This is unusual to see in a romantic film as the two characters would normally spend as much time as they possibly could together.

The character representation of Amanda Seyfried at the start of the play presents her as a helpless character and is quite ditsy. However, as the trailer progresses we see that is not the case as it hints at her being well educated and wise ' You don't scare me John'. This is unusual to see in a romantic film as the women always seems clumsy and ditsy. The character representation of Channing Tatum presents him as a troubled, misunderstood man that turned to the military for help. This representation of the male character within a romantic genre is typical.

The trailer as a whole does not give much away about the two characters and how their relationship progresses. However, it does hint at a problem that occurs 'A lot can happen in 12 months John' this suggests that the two characters do split up at some point in the film . The title of the film can also solidify this point 'Dear John'. Dear John is commonly referred to as a letter that a 'sweetheart' from a soldiers life, would send when they wanted to break up with them, whilst they are at war.

The trailer is also very emotionally manipulative when the male character quotes ' well you scare me' This sort of script is expected in a romantic film, the line also allows the audience to learn more about the male and female character within the film and shows us how there relationship will play out.

All throughout the trailer there is a constant Enigma code of wether or not the two characters will see each other again, due to the separation being caused by war and the military. It is hinted at however when Channing Tatum's character is sitting in a hospital in normal clothes and isn't in the military environment. There is also quite a lot of action codes within the trailer. For example, bombs and gun shots but also at the start of the film when the male friend knocks Amanda Seyfried's character's bag off the pier. Channing Tatum's character jumps into the water to retrieve it and that is how they meet causing them to have an attraction to each other.

There are plenty of close up's in the trailer which is a reflection of the characters relationship as it shows that they are forming a strong bond fast.

There is a constant non diegetic voice over throughout the trailer through the use of a montage of the two characters reading the letters, this not only provides the audience with the information about what the characters are writing about but also provides the audience with the information about how much time they have spent apart.

There is a mixture of high and low key lighting in the trailer which presents the film as being lighthearted at some parts but also suggests that the film will touch upon some serious issues within the war.

Music from the famous band, Snow Patrol also features in the trailer. This is typical of a romantic film as they are used to sell soundtracks that feature in the film.