This document discusses the differences between conventional films and those directed by an auteur director. It provides examples of genre theory and auteur theory in film analysis. Specifically, it compares Quantum of Solace, a conventional action film, to Leon, directed by auteur director Luc Besson. Key differences highlighted include setting, product placement, character representation, and adherence to genre conventions. The document also analyzes Pulp Fiction as another example of an unconventional auteur film directed by Quentin Tarantino that defies expectations through its narrative structure and character development.

1. How to Analyse a Film
When analysing film there are two methods that can be used; genre theory and auteur theory. Most
analysts group films into genres such as comedy, horror and action and then look at the codes and
conventions of this style of film. The codes and conventions are
different for each genre for example a teen comedy would usually be
set in a high school and include parties and themes of growing up
whereas a horror would often be set in an haunted house and include
props such as knives. Some movies do not follow codes and
conventions and are usually directed by an auteur director; this
means their productions are less conventional and he challenges accepted genre conventions. By
breaking conventions the films often attract a cult audience instead of the wider audience that
conventional films attract.
The films that I am going to compare are Quantum of Solace and Leon. Leon is directed by Luc
Besson who is an auteur director, unlike the film Quantum of Solace which is directed by Marc
Foster. There are some clear differences in themes between the two films including product
placement, in The Quantum of Solace you see lots
of branding such as Aston Martin and Audi cars as
well as Omega watches and Sony Vaio laptops. It is
rare to see product placement in auteur movies as
the brand could be damaged, for example if
Napoleon Dynamite was to drive an Aston Martin
in the film the brand would be recognized for this
but not from the intended audience of the brand. Conventional crime/action films portray the
protagonist to be smartly dressed and smooth talking as you see in Quantum of Solace, Leon
however is not like this as an auteur director doesn’t follow conventions. In the James Bond saga he
has a signature drink; vodka martini, shaken not stirred whereas Leon chooses to drink milk
throughout the film. Another distinct difference is the setting; Leon is set in a lower class part of
New York, mostly in small apartments or rooms whereas
Quantum of Solace has much more interesting settings. James
Bond films are often filmed in luxurious locations like Sienna, Italy
or huge casinos which is why the protagonist dresses smart and
drives expensive cars to further appeal visually to the audience.
Unlike James Bond, Leon does not wear smart clothes or drive
nice cars, he wears the same clothes throughout the film as well
as an old looking beanie hat and circular sunglasses which are
iconic to the film. At no point in the film do we see Leon driving a
car; he walks everywhere which suggests he doesn’t travel much.
The representation of females is very different in these films,
Quantum of Solace and most other conventional films from this genre use beautiful women that get
close to the main protagonist and often fall in love with him or die trying to help him, again this is
visually appealing for the audience. In Leon the only female representation is a young girl; Mathilda,
which is very uncommon, throughout the film we learn that Mathilda is in love with Leon which is
conventional of this genre of films but the age of the girl gives a strange mood and creates an on-
going wonder for the audience about what will happen between them

2. Another crime film by an auteur director is Pulp Fiction. This is directed by the most famous auteur;
Quentin Tarantino who also directed films such as Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill and Django Unchained
which are all very unconventional movies. There are many differences between a typical crime
movie and Pulp Fiction; firstly the language used is somewhat offensive and unexpected. Tarantino
uses lots of derogatory terms in his films, this type of language would not appeal to everyone which
is why the movie has gained a cult following.
The character representation in this movie is the main difference between an ordinary film and
Tarantino’s auteur approach to a crime thriller. Although the 2 main characters; Samuel L Jackson
and John Travolta who play hired hit men are extremely popular and recognizable by all audiences.
Unlike a conventional crime movie that focuses on the
protagonist for the majority of the film whilst only showing the
antagonist a few times Tarantino switches this and builds a
background for the pair allowing the audience to connect with
them. The characters are developed throughout the film
showing their personal lives as well as typical hit man antics
which makes the audience more interested, at some points in
the film the characters could even be considered as the protagonists. For example when Jules
Winfield (Samuel L Jackson) talks an armed robber out of hurting people whilst trying to rob a diner,
this is unexpected from a hit man as you would expect him to say nothing or kill the robber himself.
In my opinion scenes like these are what make auteur movies more interesting than convention
movies as you never know what to expect. Usually in a crime movie the audience are hoping that the
protagonist will win the war but in this movie the antagonists are the audience favourite; this is due
to the jokes they tell and the insight into their lives almost making them seem like the protagonists
which defies Vladimir Propp’s character theory.
Tarantino is considered one of the greatest auteur directors of all time
due to the non-linear narrative. His films do not have a defined
beginning, middle or end; the films switch from different perspectives
which means that the same is shown multiple times from different
peoples point of view, because of this a character could be killed and
then reappear in the next scene which is very confusing to the viewer if it
is their first time watching the movie. Pulp fiction begins and ends in the
same diner at the same time with a very famous scene, it is only then
when the movie ends that the viewer can piece the film together.