Consider - How far do the American films you have studied for this topic depend on well established narrative and/or genre conventions.
Both Badlands and Natural Born Killers fall under the lovers on the lam genre, therefore both film share similarities but also major differences. The scene in which Kit murders Holly's parents focusses more on the emotional value, seen with the naivety from Holly's character when her father dies as she rushes to his aid after he dies. This detail could have the suggestion that although Holly has 'made a deal with the devil' she still has a sense of compassion and love for her father. In contrast with Natural Born Killers, where Malory is eager to kill her parents - this suggesting that the dysfunctional family aspect does create serial killers, but also shows how she has no regard for human life, typical to psychopaths and mass murderers. As Badlands was set in the 1950's, fame was still a desired quality to have - however it was more achievable in the 1990's in the middle of the newspaper/TV age, in which media was easier to put people on a pedestal. Shown in NBK where the scene alternates between the scene and scenes from popular culture - like cartoons to mirror the violence, or news reports regarding the two murderers.
Both films have similar conventions that are typical of the genre, as romance is a huge part of the 'lovers of the lamb' genre. Therefore both films feature lovers - however both sets of couples show massive differences in their personalities. Most obviously, the difference between Holly and Mallory - seen in the opening scene where Mallory attacks and successfully kills one of the men in the Diner. Mallory shows that she is independent and can handle her own battles, which is a major contrast with Holly's character who is incredibly dependent on Kit. Although the dependence is shown throughout the film, specifically when Kit tells Holly to hide when a group infiltrate where they are hiding in the woods, the flight aspect of Holly's character show that she could not stand a fight without Kit protecting her - contrasting with the fighting drive seen by Mallory. The road trip genre is again easily identified in both films with the cars, the cars acting as a metaphorical birdcage which cages the protagonists/antagonists(?) and makes them face their emotions and traps them. The crime element is evident throughout both films, specifically seen when Mallory and Mickey rob the drug store and then are bombarded with police - the police again suggesting it is not legal. In Badlands the scene where Kit is chased by the police when he eventually surrenders - again symbolising that there is criminal activity.
How far do the 2 films you have studied for this topic present similar messages and values?
'Badlands' was filmed in 1973, which contextually was a time in American society where people were typically angry with the political aspect of the country - as it was the time of the Vietnam War and civilian's did not support the war. This was clearly identified in both films as they mainly centre around the theme of crime, being an escape from the mundane tasks of life in America. The idea of being an outlaw became an obsession from the main protagonist Kit, who throughout the film is seen to be making his mark by laying out stones at certain points in his journey - acting like a trademark so people know that he did it. The sheer lack of care with the legal system is conveyed throughout with the constant crime but also suggests that this is what American society had reduced itself to, that people resorted to crime to numb the pain and boredom. In the scene where Kit is arrested and taken to the airport hanger, he gives out items that he has possessed and acts like he is being interviewed by the army/police. This suggesting that America had become corrupt with fame and although Kit murdered innocent people, people were obsessed with following his every move - so his arrest was bittersweet for America as it saw the end of murder, but took away their 'entertainment'. 'Badlands' showed how twisted America had became as its fascination with crime had escalated in people wanting and becoming famous as a result of crime.
In 'Natural Born Killers', the messages are more exaggerated through the constant pop culture references to suggest that American society has become sick, and also suggesting that people are violent because of what they are seeing in the media. Although the film was filmed in the 1994, it was set in the 1990's and showed the evolution of the media and the ideas that the media had created. By having the film flick between ideal suburban families and Mickey & Mallory's murders, it shows that again American society was transfixed on the media and television - also showing that American's had become desensitised to the media and less receptive to rejecting it's opinions and ideas. As pop culture is a strong focus point in the film, the scene where the film acts as a American sitcom deals with issues like rape and abuse. This is shown as Mallory is with her family who are exaggerated to replicate the typical sitcom - but this scene shows the meeting of Mickey & Mallory, but also the family dynamic of Mallory's parents - being the typical housewife trying to ignore problems and deal with her life, but also the father who abuses the family but also rapes Mallory. The use of laughing track also suggests that American society has grown sick and has now become oblivious to issues, the sitcom masking any problems which are a subject of humour in the scene. This scene strongly implies that due to the media, America has now become less receptive to issues and people are publicly masking their problems (as seen by the mother).
What is the significance about setting and/or place in your chosen American films?
Setting is extremely important in both films as the car could be considered to be a setting - the car being a metaphor for a birdcage, trapping the protagonists and forcing them to deal with their issues.
