Love Story

LOVE STORY

Love Story is a classic boy meets girl film. It was directed by Arthur Hiler and was released in 1970. Jenny and Oliver meet in the University library, Oliver is studying law at Harvard and Jenny is studying music at Radcliffe. Oliver is your typical Harvard jock, he plays ice hockey and comes from a wealthy family on the other hand Jenny comes from a poor background and has to work very hard to get where she is. Jenny is fiery and sarcastic and is constantly teasing Oliver for being a jock. She is passionate about her studies as is Oliver who is working to go to law school and is one of the top in his class. When they first meet Jenny is in complete control of the relationship. The film follows them as their relationship develops, but when they decide to get married Oliver's family disapprove because of Jenny's background. Oliver doesn't care though he has always had a rocky relationship with his father and they go through with the marriage anyway. They then have to support themselves as Oliver goes to law school. When they are trying for a baby, however, they find out that Jenny is ill and dying. Tragically Jenny dies and through the tragedy Oliver's father reaches out to him. The film has a linear structure and follows their story in time order.

The film is filmed in quite a simple way, there are no effects or special techniques used, I think this reflects their relationship, it is clear that they love each other more than anything. When Jenny and Oliver are in the early stages of their relationship there is a montage sequence of them play fighting in the snow to music, this sequence shows the audience how they feel about it other, it shows the viewer the fun they have and how happy they make each other. Giving the audience this insight into their relationship makes them emotionally connect with the characters. When Jenny and Oliver get married there is a good use of a two shot of them at the alter, this shot shows how close they are. Another effective moment in the film is when Jenny dies Oliver gets into her hospital bed and the light is really dim and there is a almost spotlight on them. The low key lighting adds to the dramatic mood of the scene and helps the convey to the audience the emotion in this scene. The camera then pans out to show a high angle shot of the both on the bed, this shot is really beautiful as it shows the relationship they have and the devastation Oliver feels. A high angle shot is usually used to make something look insignificant but in this scene it does not, it makes the couple look vulnerable and helpless, but not insignificant.

The music in this film is really dramatic; every time something significant happens the same piece of music plays,it is a theme tune for the film. The theme tune was written by Francis Lai and is named after the film. There are some mild sex scenes in this film and some nudity, i think it is done tastefully though, the audience see how the couple connect physically and are aware that their relationship is at that stage but you are not shown too much. Seeing theses intimate moments between the two characters makes the audience feel involved with their relationship and makes the film effect them more emotionally.