Deconstruction of Film Openings- MCGUFFIN FG

Film Openings

As part of our research we deconstructed openings of particular films to understand the conventions of films that the audience expects to see and view as correct.

FORREST GUMP- MGUFFIN

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic romantic-comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis and starred Tom Hanks, as the protagonist. The story depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump.

The chronological order is presented below...

 Conventionally, Forrest Gump makes use of a McGuffin to create enigma for the audience. A McGuffin acts as a motivator or catalyst that influences the protagonist to pursue. The feather in Forrest Gump is the McGuffin and the directors make use of this device in the opening. A long tracking shot is used as the feather gracefully falls in accompaniment with the slow and graceful music evoking positive light hearted emotions from the audience. It can be said that the opening immediately makes a connection with protagonists personality which is slow witted and naïve but goodhearted, therefore the opening song and feather could symbolise aspects of the protagonist. Following on as the tracking shot moves further down the location and time period is cleverly established through the white building cars, and people. The character is established by the McGuffin as it finally lands at the feet of Nathan Bedford Forrest (Tom Hanks) after dodging many people, denoting to the audience that this is the protagonist/most important character- a pan up shot is used before we see the face. To establish the time period further a wide shot of a bus smoothly enters communicate 1981 to the audience. Thus this opening conforms to conventions of a film by:

• establishing the character with the aid of the McGuffin which also creates enigma.
• establishing the time/location  (America) by the bus/cars and buildings.
• The mood this creates to the audience is light-hearted and positive which matches the genre of the film which is a romantic-comedy film.
• The McGuffin will drive the narrative on, Questions go through the audiences mind such as who is this character? Why is he on his own? The director provides little information intriguing the audience to watch the film.