Expressions and Ideologies in Across the Universe - Movie Review Example

March 25, Expressions and Ideologies in Across the Universe Introduction The ability to reach audiences is one that is based on the expressions that are used as well as the ability to tap into the popular ideologies that are created. When looking at the film, Across the Universe, there is the ability to understand a different perspective of popular culture as well as ideologies which are used within the film. The film takes the perspective of ideologies and genre from an alternative approach while developing a different option for the audience. By looking at the option for Across the Universe, there is the ability to understand how to cross through various ideologies and genres. The film is able to create a different approach to working toward experiential genres while developing a different expression for the audience that has been developed. Genre Study of Across the Universe The aspects of Across the Universe are based on the genre of a musical and drama. The concept is set against the backdrop of the 1960s. The mixture of the story is inclusive of a love story with the problems of war that are associated with this. The main characters move through the love story by using the famous and popular rock songs of the 1960s, specifically through the songs of The Beatles. The movement of the story is able to combine the war story with the romantic ideologies while allowing the musical approaches to lead the main story forward. This brings the story into context while allowing a study of the history of the musical to create a different outlook to the particular 1960s movement. This allows the particular movie to show the concept from the artistic developments as well as the way in which the historical developments occurred during this time frame. The approach used with the musical is the first aspect that is developed with Across the Universe, specifically which creates a different relationship to the performance. The musical genre is one which is defined specifically by the lyrics that are created for the performance. The lyrics identify rhythmic verses that explain a situation or are developed to express feelings at a deeper level through the genre. This is combined with the ability to use the combination of speaking with the lyrics to create and develop a combined set of efforts between the two concepts. By doing this, there is the ability to create and develop various classifications and alternatives that allow the genre to create the correct approach to expressing ideas and emotions. The cultural data that is expressed through the musical is the main component through the songs, specifically because this links to the history, social obligations and the features that are expressed through the various concepts. The lyrical data combines with the expressions to create the historical understanding as well as the deeper meaning and expressions of the characters through the use of song (Mayer, Neumayer, Rauber, 2008). The use of the musical in Across the Universe combines the expressions with culture and classification that is developed. The lyrics are defined by The Beatles, which were an icon of the particular time. This immediately creates historical and cultural relevance to the genre as well as to the musical. This is furthered with the lyrical features that are established through the film. These relate to the emotions of the love story and to the history of the war while allowing the spectators to identify the deeper meaning of the 1960s and the transformations that were occurring during this time. The cultural features that are associated with this are able to create layers of effectiveness, specifically because the genre identifies and grounds the ideas of the 1960s. The lyrics and associations with the Beatles songs begin this because of the knowledge and popularity of the music. This is further developed with the understanding of the cultural associations with the ideas of love and movement against war during the time frame. The development of characters and music combines with this to show the spectator the ideas of the 1960s and the realities of the time, specifically with the use of the musical genre (McKay et al, 2010). Ideologies of Across the Universe The use of the musical for expression is combined with ideologies that are conveyed through Across the Universe. The first ideology is to create a theme based around the 1960s and the historical changes that were occurring during this time. The director conveys the problems and complexities of war. This is intertwined with the rock and roll movement as well as the movement of the hippies in creating a different set of efforts. The ideologies which are developed are based on conveying the differences in the military and the political arena. This is shown through the effects that this has on each of the characters and the responses that they take toward the war and the changes in politics. The ideologies are furthered with the representation of the era, specifically with the shifts and the different movements which were taking place during this time frame. The use of music, representation of different historical areas and the flashes of historical references toward the war and political changes were able to show the impact of the 1960s toward current history while showing the theme of development and change during this time (Tremonte, 2010). The representation of ideologies is furthered with the cultural and social ideologies. The first aspect of this is through the conflicts which arise with gender. The historical relationship to the 1960s was based on the rights of women as well as race, specifically which led to Civil Rights movements and other aspects. The characters that represent gender are divided by women who are interested in the movements of freedom as well as others that are interested in gender that is more conservative and based on the 1950s. The ability to see this transition adds into the understanding of liberation as one of the main themes. The women that are in the film convey this through the relationships to others as well as to the different levels of understanding that are created in terms of expressing sexuality through romance and gender roles (Benshoff, 2011). The film is able to develop this specifically with the characters as well as the ideologies that are shown with the diversity of characters that are associated with the film. The aspects of gender with Across the Universe combine with ideologies of the film that are based on liberalization and movements in culture and society that were specific to the time. The war, civil rights movement and the approach to race and equality are seen as undertones through the film. Different actions are taken by those that are a part of the movie while intertwining this with the popular culture of the time frame. This is seen through the protests against the war, beliefs of the different characters and the conveyance of ideologies through the music and actions taken. The representation of this ideology is a way of showing the fight for freedom in society at the time while combining this with the voice of society that was pertinent for this time frame. The voice that is created is based on the understanding of society changing into new ideologies based on the political and cultural upheavals of the time. The interest of the director is seen by creating a personal relationship to the voice of the 1960s in creating peace and freedom among all in society. The development of liberalization as the main voice is seen by combining the different elements in the film, such as the music and the various scenes, with the historical actions that were a part of the time frame (Bucholtz, 2011). The ideologies associated with the film were not only based on the general changes of the 1960s and the ability to convey the changes toward liberalization during this time frame. The dynamics of romance in the film were also noted, specifically with creating a link to the film with the experiences established toward the spectators. The ideologies that are associated with this are created specifically with the romantic overtone between the characters and the way in which this is expressed. This creates a conflict throughout the film because of responses by the characters. The conflict is not only based on the budding romance but also relates to the cultural shifts and the political agenda of the time. The director is able to show how the ideologies of one aspect reflect and change the personal lives of those that are looking at the film while creating a different approach toward the ideologies that are associated with this. By doing this, there is the ability to create and develop different alternatives toward the facts that were occurring while showing how this affected personal lives, romance and the ability to create a specific relationship toward others that were a part of the film (Quart, 2011). Film Techniques The ideologies and genre combine with the film techniques that are a part of the specific film. Across the Universe uses editing as one of the main techniques to create the necessary approaches to the film. Cutting different approaches as well as combining the music with the various areas of the film is one of the ways in which this is done. The editing has longer pieces and segments to the film to develop the story and the different musical elements. However, the scenery is continuously changing and developing, specifically with the approach of creating a stronger understanding of the ideologies that are a part of the film. By using the editing techniques, there is the ability to have an in – depth feel of the historical and social elements while creating a deeper relationship with the characters. As this is done, there is the ability to move into the scenes that were a part of the time frame, specifically to express the conflicts of the time as well as how this occurred. The editing remains one of the most important aspects in developing the relationship of this historical time to the audience (Rabiger, 2007). The film that is created is furthered with the digital techniques and approaches toward the film. The choice of scenery, shot styles and the way in which the camera relates to the characters is able to convey the necessary message. The film works with close up shots and angles that are able to create a personal relationship to characters such as Jade. This is combined with longer shots and landscape elements that are able to show the historical backdrop and cultural shifts of the time. By combining these two throughout the film, there is the ability to move into the characters perspective and romantic ideologies taking place. At the same time, the historical features and the ideas of freedom and liberalization with the cultural and historical aspects are highlighted. The transfer between these two main techniques is able to show a different approach toward the ideologies while creating a deeper understanding toward the ideologies of the film. The aesthetics as well as the ability to show the different perspectives and point of view is then able to create an alternative relationship with the techniques that are used (Anderson, 2009). Conclusion The concept of ideologies and genre are able to work toward a larger theme in various types of films. The movie Across the Universe is able to show the historical elements of the 1960s and how this shook and transformed the history of the time. The film looks at the historical, cultural and political perspectives of the time to show the main point. This is combined with the popular culture and the genre that is used in combination with this particular film. The approach is one which is then able to combine the use of the musical and ideologies with a deeper meaning and romance from the characters. Working with the film editing and the main ideologies is then able to allow the spectator to have a personal and deep relationship to the movements of the 1960s as well as the significance which these expressions had toward the making of history and the changes of society and culture. References Anderson, L. (2009). “Film Technique in Fiction.” Taylor and Francis 7 (1). Benshoff, HM. (2011). America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality at the Movies. New York: Routledge. Bucholtz, M. (2011). “Race and the Re-Embodied Voice in Hollywood Film.” Language and Communication 71 (2). Mayer, Rudolf, Robert Neumayer, Andreas Rauber. (2008). “Rhyme and Style Features for Musical Genre Classification by Song Lyrics.” ISMIR. McKay, C, JA Burgoyne, J Hockman, JBL Smith. (2010). “Evaluating the Genre Classification Performance of Lyrical Features Relative to Audio, Symbolic and Cultural Features.” Society for Musical Studies 81 (3). Rabiger, M. (2007). Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics. New York: Routledge. Taymor, Julie (dir). (2007). Across the Universe. California: Revolution Studios. Tomaric, J. (2010). Filmmaking: Direct Your Movie from Script to Screen Using Proven Hollywood Techniques. New York: Routledge. Tremonte, CM. (2010). “Film, Classical Rhetoric and Visual Literacy.” Journal of Teaching Writing 31 (2). Quart, L. (2011). American Film and Society Since 1945. UK: Routledge. Xu, M, J Wang. (2011). “Using Context Saliency for Movie Shot Classification.” IEEE. Read More