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http://kecasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/p/badlandsnbk-messages-values.html


or this section of the exam paper it is important to directly answer the question by referring to film sequences from ‘Badlands’ & ‘Natural Born Killers’. It is also essential that you use film language (mise-en-scene/camera etc) and make use of key issues such as narrative and genre conventions.

• The names of the film’s directors and the year of the release is mentioned early on
• The question is addressed in the opening paragraph
• The keywords in the question are referred to throughout the essay
• Good detailed reference to the film has to be at the core of any answer. Try to use sequences.
• This must have some indications of the use of film language – mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, sound and music. 
• If you don’t do this many examiners will view your information as mere description.
• If the question has the word narrative in the title – you must refer to narrative. Use the language to underpin this – i.e. resolution, closure, structure, cause and effect, pace, linear/non-linear. Anunderstanding of narrative and the way it functions should be at the centre of your response.
• Representation is also an issue that should be employed in your answers. This could focus on individuals, groups, location, America or gender. 
• If necessary also refer to genre; in terms of conventions, iconography and expectations.
• Wider contexts need to be employed in your answer. How are these films American? What influence does the time in which they were made have on these films? What events are they based upon?
• You must compare and contrast these films directly. Look for points where these films sharedistinctive elements and also if possible where they differ.
• Give your own opinions of the films – linked to what needs to be discussed in terms of the question. Support with reference to the films. 
• Try to ‘think outside the box’. Candidates who offer more thought provoking responses tend to get higher marks. 
• Write a short conclusion that draws you and the examiner back to the terms of the question. Remember that this is the last thing that they will read before they put a mark down.
• Three to five sides should assure quality and quantity.

Key Themes

• The ‘American Dream’ – something everybody can attain; ‘pop’ icons, mirroring or copying
• Dysfunctional Family - A result of unrealistic ideological beliefs 
• Rootlessness – The characters have no ‘roots’ or ties to any family, for a variety of reasons, and they embark upon a ‘road trip’ to sustain their love. 
• Modern Fairytale – The films present a highly romanticized view of what it is to be in love. Love conquers all, overpowers obstacles and anything is morally acceptable to maintain the relationship.
• Animalistic Nature: Trapped/Freedom – notions within their environments and the characters situation. There is a constant struggle between these opposing issues to maintain the partnership.

Characters
One approach to reflecting upon the question is to focus upon specific characters rather than trying to cover them all. Although the couples are central to the themes of the film, minor characters play significant roles in developing the binary oppositions at the core of the films themes.

Sequences
Another way of comparing the films is by comparing key sequences and fitting them to the questions. You should do this by giving the examiner a sense of each sequence filmically and not descriptively. Openings, complications, climaxes and resolutions make ideal discussion points, as they tend to draw upon the key issues. 

Holly:

-       Holly is a cold and naive character.

-       Holly narrates the film. Both of these characters and many characters in the Lovers on the lam genre are egotistic, and feel the need to record their impact on the world, and consequently be remembered.

-       The voiceover also gives a fantasy element to the film, and provides back story and important narrative information.

-       A sign near Holly says “Bait”. This is pre-emptive. Of what will happen in the rest of the film. It says a lot about the narrative, and implies that she will be taken away from her mediocre life. (which she is)

-       Holly is always behind Kit in the film. She is quite a subdued and introverted character, and this is probably why she is constantly positioned this way. Mallory, in comparison, is a very extraverted character, and is very active and animated.

-       Holly, whilst shy, is a very cold and uncaring character. She doesn’t react to her dog’s or her father’s death, and seems unaware of the true consequences of murdering people. Whilst she is in love with Kit, she is still quite cold and shy around him. This is unlike Mallory, who is outgoing and very romantic with Mickey.

-       Holly has no major motivation at the beginning of the film. We don’t get much of an idea of what she wants to achieve, as she never mentions as what she wants to do in the future. She seems to show no sign that she wants any sort of American Dream. This is probably why she seems so cold and unaffected by the deaths of so many people. Mallory is more forward thinking, and is much more animated than Holly.

-       While she is sitting in the garden, the words behind Holly say “Bait”, suggesting that she will be bait for Kit. It is due to kit meeting Holly that he starts killing. It also reflects her character, and though she appears innocent, she is also Jail Bait. 

-       Holly comments on the tree being swept away by the river. This can be paralleled to Kit and Holly. Kit as the river, and Holly as the tree.

-       Kit and Holly show no remorse for their killings, they are not afraid to murder again. They are both cold and uncaring characters. Kit does however, regret killing his best friend. 

-       Holly doesn’t really seem to understand the impact of murder. When Kit shoots the people in the barn, she stands away. She doesn’t embrace the fact that people have died, and remains unsympathetic. 

Kit:

-       Kit is in a dirty job (A garbage man), like Mickey. This job gives the audience expectations about his character. He is trailer trash, unlike Holly, who is first presented to us as essentially innocent.

-       Kit feels the need to record his achievements throughout the film. He constantly records his thoughts through a Dictaphone, and his thoughts always relate back to himself. Close to being caught, he builds a small monument, purely to be remembered.

-       Kit has a lack of identity. He constantly tries to take on other roles, such as that of a murderer and pop culture figures, particularly James Dean. Towards the end of the film, he strikes the famous “Crucifix Pose” that was well associated with James Dean. This is a common convention of the lovers on the lam genre, and media influence is key theme in Natural Born Killers.

-       Kit is shown to lead a cow to slaughter early on in the film. This is pre-emptive of what will happen in the film. Kit ends up leading Holly away into a life of crime.

-       Kit reverts to naturalistic behaviours when in the woods. Nature plays a key role in NBK and Badlands.

-       Kit wears a hat similar to the one Holly’s father wore. This shows Kit’s dominance and control over Holly.

-       Kit shows no remorse for killing Holly’s father. He shows more interest in the toaster he picks up from the cellar.

-       Kit offers a way out of the dull life Holly is leading in the town.

-       Kit tries to be a rebel throughout the film, by appearing as a dysfunctional loner. This is ironic, as he has no original identity. He tries to look like a popular American culture figure.  

  

-       Kit is more in touch with American culture than Holly.

-       Kit’s appearance appears to fill the traditional male role, but however, he shoots the men intruding in the forest in the back with a gun, rather than fighting with them up front.