The Holiday Opening

Analysing till 4.05

The film is instituted and distributed by two of the top romantic comedies production companies in film, 'Columbia Pictures' and 'Universal' this shows the audience that this is film is supposable going to be successful. The music opening the film is very theatrical and calm, portraying a romantic setting and film  to the audience, but also has a Christmas theme to the song as the film is set during Christmas time as it is a typical time of romance and couples being together. 
We are immediately introduced to the main characters of the film Jack Black, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, showing them in their different relationships. There is a voice over of Kate Winslet taking about love and romance and the different types of love there is, which are shown through the different main characters showing the audience a small story of the main characters straight into the film, and how love comes into their characters. This instant story told to the audience makes them connect with the particular circumstances they are in and for the audience to relate to them if they have experienced or experiencing it. 
(0.43) The mis en scene is very romantic and the theme music fits into this setting, The colouring and lighting of the shots is very soft and light bringing the romantic feel to the scene. The camera zooms in and using extreme close up's on these characters faces to show the feelings they have towards each other, fitting the theme of love. When the shot moves on the audience see's this shot is in a film within the film, this can suggest that this type of love only exists in films and fairy tales and not realistic. 
When being introduced the characters they are in brighter lighting then the other characters they are with in their shots, this shows that these are the main characters of the films. Also this can suggest innocence and pureness as they are going to be falling in love throughout the film which they are new too. 
(2.07) Zooming out of the car, there is the Christmas theme of the film, with the lights around the tree's and buildings in the street. It gives the setting a romantic and warm feeling to the scene as the knowing of the nearing of Christmas. 
The credits of the producers and actors names on the opening scene is effective, as the timing of the fading in and out of the writing keeps in time with the music, creating a slow and gentle flow to the scenes when going through keeping with a romantic and soft feeling. The writing is also in white connoting innocence. 
By having the voice over of Kate Winslet throughout the whole of the opening scene makes the audience immediatley feel involved, and the character is talking directly to the audience making them feel what she is feeling and making them relate and like the character.