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.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Romantic Comedies
- 2.1. Definition
- 2.2. Development
- 2.3. Romantic Comedies in Change of Time
- 3. Stereotypes
- 3.1. Definition
- 3.2. Development
- 3.3. Social Function
- 3.4. The Origin of Stereotypes about France
- 3.5. How the Americans see the French
- 4. Cinematic Examples
- 4.1. Lawrence Kasdan's French Kiss
- 4.1.1. Summary
- 4.1.2. Stereotypes about the French
- 4.1.3. Stereotypes about the Americans
- 4.1.4. Depiction of Paris / France
- 4.2. Billy Chrystal's Forget Paris
- 4.2.1. Summary
- 4.2.2. Stereotypes about the French
- 4.2.3. Stereotypes about the Americans
- 4.2.4. Depiction of Paris
- 4.3. Jeff Schaffer's EuroTrip
- 4.3.1. Summary
- 4.3.2. Stereotypes about the Europeans
- 4.3.3. Stereotypes about the Americans
- 4.1. Lawrence Kasdan's French Kiss
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper analyzes the portrayal of intercultural stereotypes, specifically those concerning France and the French, within the context of American romantic comedies. It examines how these stereotypes are constructed and perpetuated through cinematic representations. The paper aims to explore the historical development of these stereotypes and their function within the comedic narrative structure. * The genre of romantic comedy and its evolution. * The definition and development of stereotypes, particularly those related to France and the French. * The role of stereotypes in creating comedic effect in intercultural contexts. * The representation of Paris and France in American romantic comedies. * Intercultural differences and their portrayal in film.Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting Paris's enduring appeal as a romantic setting in American cinema, citing examples from classic films to contemporary romantic comedies. It establishes the central theme of the paper: exploring the depiction of intercultural stereotypes between Americans and the French within the genre of American romantic comedies. The chapter then briefly outlines the structure of the paper, promising a deep dive into the genre of romantic comedies, an examination of stereotypes, and a detailed analysis of three specific films.
2. Romantic Comedies: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the romantic comedy genre. It defines the genre's characteristic structure, including the typical narrative arc of two individuals meeting, facing obstacles, and ultimately achieving a happy ending. The chapter traces the development of the romantic comedy genre from its origins in silent films to its evolution across different decades, highlighting the impact of socio-cultural factors such as the sexual revolution on its narrative conventions. Finally, it discusses the enduring appeal of romantic comedies, linking their consistent popularity to the reaffirmation of cultural values and the universal desire for romantic love.
3. Stereotypes: This chapter delves into the concept of stereotypes, providing a clear definition and exploring their social and psychological underpinnings. It discusses the development of stereotypes through social categorization, distinguishing between stereotypes and prejudice. The chapter further analyzes the origins and evolution of American stereotypes about France and the French, laying the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of these stereotypes in film. The significance of this chapter lies in its establishment of a theoretical framework for understanding how and why stereotypes are created and perpetuated.
Keywords
Romantic comedy, intercultural stereotypes, France, American cinema, Paris, film analysis, genre conventions, social categorization, prejudice, cultural representations, comedic effect, national identity.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Intercultural Stereotypes in American Romantic Comedies
What is the main topic of this academic text?
This academic paper analyzes how intercultural stereotypes, specifically those concerning France and the French, are portrayed in American romantic comedies. It examines the construction and perpetuation of these stereotypes through cinematic representations, exploring their historical development and function within comedic narratives.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
The text explores the evolution of the romantic comedy genre, the definition and development of stereotypes (particularly those related to France and the French), the role of stereotypes in creating comedic effect in intercultural contexts, the representation of Paris and France in American romantic comedies, and the portrayal of intercultural differences in film.
Which films are analyzed in detail?
The paper provides detailed analyses of three specific films: Lawrence Kasdan's "French Kiss," Billy Crystal's "Forget Paris," and Jeff Schaffer's "EuroTrip." The analysis focuses on how each film utilizes and perpetuates stereotypes about the French and Americans (and Europeans in the case of "EuroTrip").
What is the structure of the text?
The text is structured as follows: An introduction setting the context and outlining the paper's structure; a chapter on romantic comedies defining the genre and tracing its evolution; a chapter on stereotypes providing a theoretical framework; a chapter analyzing specific films; and finally, a conclusion. A table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords are also provided.
What aspects of the films are analyzed?
For each film, the analysis covers summaries of the plot, identification of stereotypes about the French and Americans (or Europeans), and an examination of how Paris and/or France is depicted. The analysis seeks to understand how these cinematic representations contribute to the perpetuation of specific stereotypes.
What is the significance of the chosen films?
The chosen films represent a range of romantic comedies that showcase different aspects of the portrayal of intercultural stereotypes between Americans and the French. They provide a case study for examining how these stereotypes function within the genre's conventions and comedic structures.
What theoretical framework is used in this analysis?
The analysis uses a theoretical framework based on the understanding of stereotypes, their social and psychological underpinnings, their development through social categorization, and the distinction between stereotypes and prejudice. This framework helps to explain how and why stereotypes are created and perpetuated.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
The keywords associated with this text are: Romantic comedy, intercultural stereotypes, France, American cinema, Paris, film analysis, genre conventions, social categorization, prejudice, cultural representations, comedic effect, national identity.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2006, France on Screen: Intercultural Stereotypes in American Romantic Comedies (Forget Paris, French Kiss & EuroTrip), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/71265
