WHATS EATING GILBERT GRAPE TRAILER ANALYSIS

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By Emma Whelan

The exposition
The exposition of the trailer aligns audiences with the character Gilbert through the voiceover used setting the scene. The non-diegetic soft guitar soundtrack emphasises the simplicity of the life lived by the Gilberts and sets the location out to be a small town in which not much happens. Audiences are also introduced to the Grape family through the inclusion in the voiceover this is my family . The quick cuts between scenes emphasises the mundane life of Gilbert Grape and evoke sympathy within the audience for his character.

The titling
The titling used is simplistic and allows a focus to be prioritised on the narrative. Interestingly, titles do not appear until towards the end of the trailer which allow an exposition and character alignment to be made between the viewer and the characters within the narrative. The serif text shown in bold white with spaced tracking emphasises the serious nature of the narrative and retains a sense of elegance and timelessness in its story. The production credit to Paramount Pictures informs viewers that the film is similar to other films produced by paramount such as The Great Gatsby ensuring the film will be popular amongst viewers.

How and when are characters introduced?

The character of Gilbert is introduced as the main protagonist, an old style voiceover is used to introduce his character and his role in Arnies life to align the audience with him and to suggest his character has a overriding sense of morality. The character of Arnie is introduced as the second most prominent character, the comedy associated with his character will hopefully be a great influence in our own production of the social realism genre.

The character of Becky is introduced nearer to the end of the trailer as Gilberts love interest, she almost takes Arnies place in his life after he is taken away and therefore portrays a sense of innocence.

Why is the voiceover used?

The voiceover of Gilbert Grape is used throughout the trailer to suggest a sense of continuity within the narrative. A mini narrative is almost formed through his storytelling which engages the audience and allows them to align themselves with Gilberts character therefore sensing his own pain.

The use of the voiceover and chronological titling may link to the routine set ways of autism which may be reflected through the tight structuring of the trailer as a mininarrative within itself.

How is sound used?

The non diegetic soundtrack used combines a starting guitar setting up the story as a small town but increases in volume and tempo as the trailer progresses. The inclusion of the high pitched piano and strings creates an uplifting feeling to the soundtrack which suggests that not all disability has to be viewed as negative