OPENING SEQUENCES AND CHARACTERS - 'DEAR JOHN'

The first film I am going to be analysing how they introduce characters and their traits, and how this affects the audience, is the film 'Dear John'. 'Dear John' is a romance film. 

The film 'Dear John' opens with a voiceover over images. The images are of a soldier in war being shot. It is a powerful introduction to the main character and sets the tone for the film's emotional journey. It begins with a voiceover from John himself who narrates a letter he's writing. He reflects on his life as a soldier and the moments that helped to shape the person he's become. This allows the audience to see inside his thoughts and how he is feeling as he has been shot in war. It helps to position the audience with John and to emotionally connect with him and his story. The setting which he is in shows the physical and emotional traumas he has faced during his life, establishing his character as a tough, disciplined individual that has faced more challenges than the average person. For the audience, the opening sequence creates immediate empathy for John. The opening sequence also features a flashback from his childhood, giving the audience even more indication as to how his past experiences have affected him today. The opening sequence lays a good groundwork for the emotional conflict between his love for Savannah and his commitment to his country and to the army. This opening sequence creates an emotional connection between the viewer, and the main character, causing them to want to continue watching and view the rest of his story. The second part of the opening sequence features John seeming to be carefree, surfing on the beach. He then sees someone (Savannah) in distress after dropping her bag off the pier. He immediately jumps in the water and gets it for her, showing his care for others and their happiness. He jumps off a 20 foot pier, also indicating his sacrifice for others and his loyalty towards other people. Introducing the character in the opening sequence has a great effect on the audience as we feel connected to the story, and want to see how this romantic connection continues.