France on Screen: Intercultural Stereotypes in American Romantic Comedies (Forget Paris, French Kiss & EuroTrip)

Term Paper , 2006 , 19 Pages , Grade: 2,0

American Studies - Culture and Applied Geography

Paris has always been a popular setting for American romantic comedies: Vincente Minelli’s musical film An American in Paris, starring Gene Kelly, enchanted the American audience in 1951. In Billy Wilder’s Sabrina (1954), Audrey Hepburn’s character returns from France as a beautiful young woman, who obviously got enriched by Paris’s culture and lifestyle. The comedy Irma La Douce (1963), also directed by Billy Wilder, is entirely set in the bohemian Paris of the 1960s. More recently, Lawrence Kasdan’s French Kiss (1995) and Billy Chrystal’s Forget Paris (1995) provided the American audience with love stories set, or initiated, in France and thus supported the romantic image of the country. Chapter 2 of this term paper will focus on the genre romantic comedy, its main characteristics and origins. Furthermore, the success of romantic comedies will be investigated and linked to ever-changing cultural factors.
In romantic comedies, it seems nearly impossible for film-makers to completely avoid depicting stereotypes about the French and their country. In fact, comedies set in Paris or France intentionally exaggerate these stereotypes. Usually the American characters in these comedies are also depicted stereotypically. By underlining the intercultural differences between the two nationalities comic effect is created, which constitutes one of the main characteristics of a comedy. But what exactly are stereotypes and why do they emerge in the first place? And, more precisely, what are the origins of American stereotypes about France and the French? Why is Paris still considered to be the perfect place to fall in love? Chapter 3 will try to answer these questions in order to provide an insight into the concept of stereotyping.
Since the setting of Paris (and France respectively) and the genre romantic comedy seem to be a perfect match, chapter 4 of this term paper will be concerned with three American romantic comedies set in France: Lawrence Kasdan’s French Kiss and Billy Chrystal’s Forget Paris (both 1995), and a comedy from the current decade, namely Jeff Schaffer’s EuroTrip (2004). Here, a short summary of each film will be provided, as well as an analysis of the various intercultural stereotypes. Furthermore, there will be a closer look on the depiction of Paris and what is directly and indirectly associated with the city.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Romantic Comedies
  • Definition
  • Development
  • Romantic Comedies in Change of Time
• Stereotypes
  • Definition
  • Development
  • Social Function
  • The Origin of Stereotypes about France
  • How the Americans see the French
• Cinematic Examples
  • Lawrence Kasdan's French Kiss
    • Summary
    • Stereotypes about the French
    • Stereotypes about the Americans
    • Depiction of Paris / France
  • Billy Chrystal's Forget Paris
    • Summary
    • Stereotypes about the French
    • Stereotypes about the Americans
    • Depiction of Paris
  • Jeff Schaffer's EuroTrip
    • Summary
    • Stereotypes about the Europeans
    • Stereotypes about the Americans

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This term paper explores the depiction of intercultural stereotypes in American romantic comedies set in France. The focus is on how these films utilize French and American stereotypes to create comedic effect while reinforcing or challenging pre-existing cultural notions. The paper aims to analyze the historical development of romantic comedies and stereotypes, with specific attention to the origin and function of American stereotypes about France.

• The evolution of romantic comedies as a genre and their connection to cultural shifts.
• The role of stereotypes in shaping cultural perceptions and their impact on comedic storytelling.
• The origins and development of American stereotypes about France.
• The portrayal of France and its culture in American romantic comedies.
• The interplay of intercultural stereotypes and comedic effect in these films.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of American romantic comedies set in France and their portrayal of intercultural stereotypes. It highlights the enduring popularity of Paris as a romantic setting in American cinema, referencing films like "An American in Paris," "Sabrina," and "Irma La Douce." The chapter also emphasizes the prevalence of stereotypes in these films, suggesting a link between cultural differences and comedic effect.
• Romantic Comedies: This chapter defines the romantic comedy genre, outlining its typical structure, key elements, and historical development. It explores the genre's roots in silent films, its evolution through different periods, and its connection to social and cultural changes, particularly the impact of the sexual revolution.
• Stereotypes: This chapter provides a definition of stereotypes and distinguishes them from prejudice. It discusses the process of social categorization and how it contributes to the formation of stereotypes. The chapter also explores the origin and development of stereotypes, particularly those associated with France and the French.
• Cinematic Examples: This chapter analyzes three American romantic comedies set in France: "French Kiss," "Forget Paris," and "EuroTrip." Each film is summarized, and the chapter examines the specific intercultural stereotypes presented, focusing on depictions of both French and American characters. The chapter also analyzes the depiction of Paris and France in the films, considering both explicit and implicit associations.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Key terms and topics covered in this term paper include romantic comedies, intercultural stereotypes, American stereotypes of France, French cultural representations, comedic effect, social categorization, cultural factors, genre evolution, and film analysis. The paper explores these themes through the lens of specific cinematic examples, focusing on how American films portray and reinforce or challenge cultural perceptions of France.

• College: University of Hannover
• Grade: 2,0
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 19
• Catalog Number: V71265
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638631495
• Language: English
• Tags: France, Screen, Intercultural, Stereotypes, American, Romantic, Comedies, Paris, French, Kiss, Eurotrip, Forget Paris, Prejudice, USA