Marriage Story Poster Analysis

 Marriage Story Analysis 

This poster or should I say these posters perfectly oppose each other in a very harmonious way and reflect the very vibe of the movie perfectly. From first glance there is so much that you can depict and take from without even thinking but from our natural prejudices that are ingrained in us we register thoughts and predictions for the film and/or characters. Throughout this essay I will be analysing how these techniques of manifesting ideas from the imagery is done and how it is effective. 

 The first and maybe most noticeable message that I picked up on would be the clear gender representation through both posters. The most obvious hint of gender representation i would say would be through the colours of the two poster as in the 1st poster on the left side the colours are a shade of pink or a very close colour, either way it is a very feminine and calm hue which would side with the stereotypical female attributes. This feminine presenting colour also gives us a feeling that the women being depicted will have a very maternal and soothing feel to her. On the other hand in the 2nd poster on the right side there are very cold colours with the light blue/grey which would side with the stereotypical gender colour for a boy. Another point we can take from this poster is that we get the impression that the male figure will be a hold-off or more serious as the colours are very dark while the intensity is very high.

       Other knowledge we gain from these posters would be the settings that could be found in this film. While it is not very specific on the 2nd poster(right side) we can easily tell that it is a city setting which adds to the busy and almost depressing mood that the poster already has with the blue colour which connotes a sad energy, these both give the interpretation that this character will be a busy and complicated person that will go through a difficult and depressing journey throughout the movie. Now in contrast the setting of the 1st poster (left side) gives off a very specific landmark of the palm tree which for lots of people will be connected to Los Angeles, also the water in the setting could connotate that this character will go through movement that is constant. Also opposing the 2nd(right side) poster the 1st (left side) lacks the blue mood and settles with a more uplifting and enlightened atmosphere suggesting that this character could be gaining peace or joy from a situation the other (male) character is suffering from.

        When promoting a film using the cast as a source to interest consumers can be extremely intelligent and this is a fine example as the main cast are hugely popular and accomplished actors. This use has been displayed through the large fonts of Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver's names with their prestigious nominations in a smaller point above, while their profiles shown are not instantly recognisable after seeing their names right above it become very clear and familiar. This use of putting well known actors on the presenting aspect of the movie is useful as they have gained a fan base and they will watch to be loyal but also as both actors are phenomenal people will come to watch for their performances. This use of profiles being the only part of the character we see could also be to hint to the fact that their surrounding such as the city (probably new york) and la are the only stable and known part of themselves as it replaces the actual characters faces, it makes up their being at this state of time. These profiles are also supported by the colours i have just talked about as the lighter colours on the women's side create a more softer and lighter side to her profile as the colours on the outside and inside of her profile are more neutral and similar adding to the female stereotype. On the male side of the posters the colour contrast is not very supportive as while they are both a shade of blue the inside of the profile is a much darker and heavier colour adding to a much more hardened profile and more intense atmosphere around him. 

      The other very interesting contrast between the two posters and how it works together to tell a story would be the different positions the characters are in. As the female poster profile is facing the right while the male poster is facing the left which communicates the interpretation that they could be facing each other or communicating or failing to do so but they are facing each other, this could mean they are presenting the different and/or opposing personalities and how they clash as they are separate and not intertwined and could represent some tension between them which would be supported by the very different atmospheres they give off. Another interesting point about their positioning would be that the title of the film is clearly stated as a marriage story suggesting a film about a marriage but as both characters are displayed with their own posters and with such expressions of individuality it lacks the connection with marriage and with a connection between the two people this could imply that they are finding themselves outside of the marriage or that they are separating hence the separate posters. Displaying that the title marriage story is not one of a stable and healthy marriage but a story of the end or separating of the marriage.

         In conclusion these two posters have proven and provided so much knowledge on the one film but at the same time has given nothing away. We gain information on the character's personality, background, state of well being and relationship status from just a poster of a silhouette and this is all done through how we as human beings perceive and learn to preserve and connect messages, All together through this poster it has led to a successful and powerful perception of the movie Marriage Story.