A level task 5, macro analysis

1. MEDIA TASK 5: MACRO
FEATURES
Need for Speed (2014) And Drive (2011)

2. CONVENTIONS OF THE GENRE
• Need for speed conforms to the conventions of a car film, it includes car
chases, long panning shots of cars, and loud engine noises. The characters
are often seen behind the wheel of a car, and the cars dominate most of
the conversation between characters. The film is set in the southern states of
America, and is modern. The characters are all young and love racing. The
characters are all very competitive, which conforms to the genre.
• Drive is set in Los Angeles, and goes against many conventions of the racing
genre, as it strays into film noir territory. The main character talks very little,
and Is very violent when necessary. The film mostly follows the plot of the
Driver having to kill people to keep himself and others safe from mobsters,
and whilst there are car chases included, which conform to the genre, the
film does revolve around the driver in his car.

3. NARRATIVE THEORY
• Need for speed demonstrates perfectly Todorovs theory, The start is
equilibrium, when everyone races happily. Then is disruption, when Dino kills
Pete during a street race, and Tobey is sent to prison. Next is Realisation,
when the team realises that they should enter the De Leon. It continues with
restoring order, as Tobey saves Dino, and wins the race. Equilibrium is
restored, as Tobey and Anita end up happy together.
• Drive does not as closely follow Todorovs theory. It still begins with a loose
equilibrium, as the driver knows what he is doing with his life. The disruption is
when he meets the family, and discovers their Fathers problems. Realisation
is the point where the Driver helps rob the Pawn shop. Restoration of order
continues throughout the film, as the Driver kills Mafia members, but
equilibrium is not truly restored at the end of the film, the Driver is still on the
run.

4. CHARACTER PROFILES
• Driver: average appearance, 20-30 years old, white. Very quiet, but a very
talented driver, and very ruthless in getting what he needs done. A criminal
at the start of the film, he tries to use his skills to help the family. Loyal to things
he loves, such as the family he meets. He chooses to save them rather than
himself at the end of the film. This character challenges stereotypes, as he
isn’t a family loving, middle class man with a steady job and a family,
however, he reinforces the stereotype of a noir criminal, by being a criminal,
but working for good.
•

5. REPRESENTATION- DRIVE
Age
Drive includes characters of all ages, from children to men in their late 60’s
Gender and sexuality
Women are largely underrepresented in Drive, only two women have
significant roles, and both are in their 20’s, no older women are shown.
Drive has a male protagonist, and the female need is in need of the mans
protection and help. Sexuality is not featured heavily in Drive.
Class and status
Most of the characters featured in Drive are lower class, as shown by their
accommodation, and their attitudes to money. There are a few richer
characters in the form of the mobsters, who seem to be portrayed as evil.

6. REPRESENTATION- DRIVE
Regional identity and ethnicities
Different regional identities are shown in Drive, stereotypical Italian mafia
members, a Hispanic man, though the majority of the cast are American. The
Hispanic man shown conforms to racial stereotypes, as he is a criminal who
was in prison. African Americans are hugely under-represented in the film,
there were very few, if any, and none were in significant roles.