Ferris Bueller's Day Off film opening analysis: The opening establishes Ferris Bueller as a mischievous protagonist who fakes being sick to stay home from school. It introduces the film's themes of humor and rebellion in a way that draws the audience into the plot. The mise-en-scene of Bueller's nice home and his messy room foreshadows his disobedient character and the events of the film. Breaking the fourth wall, Bueller talks directly to the audience to establish rapport and set up his plan to play hooky. The juxtaposition of sentimental music when his parents are shown and rock music when they leave further characterizes Bueller and hints at the freew

1. AndrewGoldman A-LEVELMEDIA STUDIES
‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ film opening analysis:
Themes: Immediately the titular character Ferris Bueller is introduced in a comical nature as
his face presents him as being sick when in reality he is faking being ill. This gives the filman
instant theme of mischief and humour and a relaxed theme as the audience is in no
immediate position to have to understand the films plot as it’s introduced right at the start
of the story.
How the Action / Plot is introduced: Ferris Bueller breaks the forth wall after successfully
fooling his parents and talks to the audience about himself and thus enables the audience to
warm into the plot. It’s an easy yet effective way of easing the audience into the plot and
giving the audience and Bueller an immediate relationship and thus creating a likeable
protagonist whom the audience will support during the plot which has been outlined by
Bueller feigning illness and staying off school.
Mise-en-scene: The Establishing shot of well kept, high status home with 3 cars in drive
create a very conservative, well off portrayal of the Bueller’s which brilliantly juxtaposes the
themes that the film entails. The costumes of the parents are smart and expensive looking
whereas Bueller in his pyjamas and un-kept bedroom gives a theme of rebellion and
disobedience – this foreshadows the events of the filmand Bueller’s character as a whole.
Therefore Mise-en-scene is crucial in the opening titles as it deciphers the overall theme and
narrative of the movie and its protagonists
The audience’s reaction to this opening would likely be one of delight and satisfaction as it
applies to everyone who plays by the rules and likes to see a rebel in his prime. The casual
nature of Bueller’s character is one that the audience would instantly strike a bond with –
especially when the break of the forth wall is shown. Certainelementsmake thisforthwall
breakmore enteraining,one beingthe suddenendof the music.The soothingand slightlyover-
sentimentalmusicplayingduringthe naïve parentslinesisentertainingasitperfectlyencompasses
whatthe atmosphere shouldbe like duringthistype of situtation.Assoonasthe parentsleave,this
musicstopsand isreplacedwithrockmusic.Thisjuxtapositionof musicisa representative of the
wayin whichBuellerisviewedbyhisparentsandbythe audience.Italsoimpliesthe tone of the rest
of the movie,rocklike andfree of anyrestrictions.