Iconography
Most iconographic aspects to see in romance films are;
- The big kiss scene at the end
- Happy ending (the characters find a happy ending either way)
- There is always an antagonist, who attempts to break up the relationship (or a disaster which causes the two main characters to not be together)
- Happy music is always played at the end of the film (in a few cases a recent pop song which really doesn't fit in)
Stereotypical aspects:
Lighting - When it comes to the lighting in romance films, they tend to consist of warm colours, such as oranges, reds, and dark yellows. This letting the audience generally feel the colours, without noticing them specifically. Which can help them relate to the diegesis, or at least one specific character. This making them enjoy the film more.
Costume - Costume in romance films often varies, by class, and obviously gender. Although in most cases the males would tend to dress remotely smart. For example; in the film 'Titanic', although Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) was lower class/working class, he always dressed smart. Wearing smart brown pants, a white shirt, and some braces. The females generally tend to wear more feminine clothing, when it comes to a male and female falling in love, in the narrative. So they tend to be seen in skirts, and also dresses - usually following the same colours as the lighting. Reds, yellows, oranges. Colours that make them more desirable.
Performance - The usual performance in romance genre films, is that it is most likely the female that is looking for love. Although in some cases that has been broken, for example; 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' it is the male, Charles, (Hugh Grant) that is looking for love in the narrative, although he doesn't actually want to get married. This breaking the usual convention and style of a romance genre, although the film was a big success.
