Niambh Maher

How are protagonists represented in The First Time and Angus, Thongs and
Perfect Snogging?

Throughout this essay Im going to compare and analyse how the use of micro-
techniques affects the representation of the protagonists in an American and British
film. The films I have chosen to compare are The First Time (2012) produced by
Destination Films and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008) produced by
Paramount. Both of these films are teen romantic-comedies and share a lot of generic
conventions of the genre.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging is a book adaptation directed by Gurinda

Chada who also famously directed the award winning Bend it Like Beckham (2002).
The film starred Georgia Groome (Georgia Nickleson), Aaron Johnson (Robbie),
Kimberly Nixon (Lindsey) and Eleanor Tomlinson (Jas). The BBFC certification for
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging is a 12A due to conventions of romance. In this
film we see 14-year-old Georgia trying to win over the most attractive student at her
school, Robbie. Whereas in The First Time directed by Jon Kasdan and starring Britt
Robinson (Aubrey Miller) and Dylan OBrien (Dave Hodgman) we see Aubrey and
Dylan fall in love over the space of a weekend after meeting at a party. The BBFC
certification of The First Time is also a 12A due to the same reasons as Angus
Thongs and Perfect Snogging

Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging starts with a Wide Shot of Georgia walking
down the road dressed as a stuffed olive with her dad driving slowly next her talking
to her from the car. This immediately starts of the film
with a comedic element connecting to the genre. Not only
this but due to the stuffed olive costume Georgia is
perceived as a unattractive misunderstood teen
exemplifying the theme of coming of age. This is a
countertype of a protagonist in a Romantic-Comedy film
as are typically perceived to be attractive. However this
means that the love interest will have to fall for her despite her flaws, which is a
generic convention of the genre. The slow non-diegetic upbeat music enhances the
comedic element of the scene emphasizing the slow pace of her walking. Furthermore
clearly shows the equilibrium of Todrovs theory (1).

In comparison The First Time starts with a two shot of Aubrey and Dave slow dancing
in an alley to soft low tempo diegetic music. This immediately connotes romance and
foreshadows a relationship between the two characters. Unlike
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging both characters are good-
looking and have an immediate attraction to each other. This
also shows a clear sign of Todorovs theory and the
equilibrium; both characters are living their normal basic lives
(1). Aubrey is shown to not be a stereotypical teenage girl; she
doesnt enjoy partying and has simplistic hair, clothes and make-up. This perceives
Aubrey as naturally pretty. Just like in Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging the male
protagonist is very attractive, this is stereotypical from the romantic-comedy genre.

(1) Todorovs Theory 1

(2) Barthes Theory
Niambh Maher

The major plot disruption (1) during Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging is the love
interest Robbie being in a relationship with the films antagonist slaggy Lindsey.
This is shown in a long shot of Robbie and Lindsey holding hands. Lindsey has
blonde hair and a slim developed body making her a lot more attractive in comparison
with Georgia. Lindsey is represented as a stereotypical girl
within the film. This makes Georgia in comparison seem
inferior signifying Barthes theory by exemplifying the
semantic code (2). This is because it connotes she will never
be able to get the love interest. Not only this but clearly
signifies Todrovs disruption (1). It is a generic convention
that the male protagonists other woman are superior looks wise to the female
protagonist. This is due to the generic convention of the love interest looking past the
protagonist flaws and seeing the beauty from within.

The main plot disruption during The first time is Aubrey having a boyfriend and
Dave being in love with his best friend Jane. The main comparison of Jane and
Aubrey is shown in an over the shoulder shot of them talking about Dave. Jane is
clearly drunk taking several swigs from a wine bottle during the conversation and
rambling on about how boys treat her. This immediately
shows Aubreys personality to be superior to Janes due to
her unattractive drunken state. Just like in Angus Thongs
and Perfect Snogging Jane is shown to be a lot more
attractive physically than Aubrey. Jane has heavy make
up on with her hair in perfect curls. In comparison
Aubrey has minimalistic make up and is wearing a slouchy jumper. This connotes (2)
that Aubrey doesnt really care about her appearance making her a counter-type for
how females are presented in the film industry.

In the final scene of Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging a medium shot zooms out
into a wide shot of the protagonist Georgia and her love interest Robbie kissing.
Kissing coupled with slow happy non-diegetic music is a
generic convention of the romantic-comedy genre as it
clearly connotes (2) love and relationships to the audience.
This connects to Todrovs theory as it exemplifies the
resolution within the film. The protagonists kissing at the
end of a romantic-comedy is very stereotypical as it
connotes (2) a happy ending and highlights the characters
over-coming the disruption (1) within the film. This shows
the protagonist finally reaching their goals and falling in love. In this scene Georgia is
wearing a nice figure-fitting dress and a lot of make up perceiving her as more
attractive.

In the final scene of The First Time Aubrey runs back to the car to kiss Dave with a
slow happy non-diegetic love song playing in the background. This clearly shows the
protagonists reaching the new equilibrium (1) and connotes (2) both love and romance.
Furthermore just like in Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging Aubrey seems to be
wearing a little more make up then usual. This perceives her as more attractive

(1) Todorovs Theory 2

(2) Barthes Theory
Niambh Maher

possibly due to her finding love. Not only this but along with Angus Thongs and
Perfect Snogging the film ends with the protagonists
kissing showing a happy ending.
Bibliography:
Todorov, T., Translated, R.H., Todorov, P.T. and Howard, R. (1973) The fantastic: A
structural approach to a literary genre. Cleveland: Cleveland, Press of Case Western
Reserve University, 1973.
In-line Citation:
(Todorov et al., 1973)

Bibliogarphy
Barthes, R., Translated, Roland Barthes and Allan, G. (2003) Roland Barthes.
USA and Canada: Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2004.
In-Line Citation:
(Allan et al., 2003)

Well: You analysed the micro-elements in the scene well.

T: Analyse more.

(1) Todorovs Theory 3

(2) Barthes Theory