Music is the most important aspect in both these scenes, and creates an atmosphere which conveys exactly how the characters are feeling and perhaps a new turning point or issue the director would like to transmit. The music used for ‘No Life Without Wife’ is a modern, upbeat, and a funky song. There is a good rhythm that has a catchy, steady beat. Gurinder Chada has used such a rhythm because of the audience she has decided to aim for (Eastern and Western audience). It is targeted towards a younger generation. Also, Bride and Prejudice is made for not only an eastern audience but also for western viewers, who are attracted by the film because of its original and Bollywood like sound, which is different from most Hollywood films. The volume of the music varies a lot during the scene. To begin with the beat is steady, but is followed by a much higher
frequency and faster pace as the scene continues. For instance, at the beginning of the song we see a rap performed by the sisters mocking Mr Kohli with Lalitha. Their gestures show that they are having fun and enjoying Lalitha’s stress. Towards the end of every statement it is emphasised by the use of brass instruments such as trumpets, which highlights the points made; that Lalitha is getting married to a man that she hates. The lyrics in the music are very catchy, and soon have the whole audience dancing and singing along, with all the exciting and fun like beat Gurinder Chada manages to engage her audience fully who find the comic stance interesting and it builds an atmosphere of great enthusiasm.
In Grease, Randall Kiles uses similar techniques to Gurinder Chada. The type of music used in Grease is young, popular and appealing. The reason as to why such music is used, is because the setting of the scene is at a college where the characters are young and hip, and therefore the music reflects the image a young boy or girl has at that age and stage in life. ‘You’re the one that I want’ is a song, which remains at a steady pace and has a continous rhythm throughout the scene. The song remains at a high frequency right through to the end. This is because the tune comes after many unhappy scenes between the two main characters, (when they have broken up) and the jovial song is a way of the director changing the atmosphere and showing a change of circumstance and mood in the movie. Whilst watching Grease, the audience are instantly uplifted
by the song and realise that there are better things to come from the scene, which will be positive as opposed to other disheartening or dismal scenes.
In, Bride and Prejudice, the vision of the musical scene is also very important, as it portrays the situation and the thoughts along with the feelings of the characters through song and dance, and through the direction of these scenes we are able to experience the atmosphere of what is currently taking place in the movie. Throughout the musical scene ‘No Life Without Wife’, we are shown Lalitha’s viewpoints about marriage. Lalitha makes her expectations clear to the audience, on how she would prefer her ideal man to be. Through the character’s mannerisms, Gurinder Chadha shows Lalitha’s attitude towards marrying Mr Kohli, and her reluctant and unwilling feeling to take part in this arranged marriage. Lalitha’s and her sister’s moods seem to be comical when they tease Mr.Kholi during the scene. The audience are immediately attracted by these mannerisms as it leads them to believe that some tension will occur as the film goes on, and this builds an atmosphere of anticipation. The sister’s actions /mannerism gives you an idea that they will do anything for a laugh i.e. the groovy dance to irritate Lalitha. The gestures Lalitha uses may drawn in some of Chada’a target western audience, believing that the character is being forced into an arranged marriage and this makes the audience feel sympathetic towards the heroine.
In Grease, we see a different mood created with the song ‘You’re The One That I Want '. The gestures we experience by the expressions of Danny and Sandy
are extremely interesting. This is because; the audience are able to encounter a much more positive interaction between the two main leads. Klies shows this through Sandy’s positive actions towards Danny, by holding hands and dancing close together showing that they are in love. The mood they create is of thrill and
the audience are delighted, as this is the ending they were anticipating and longing for.
Symbolism plays a great part in many musical scenes, and the different ways of showing it, is what creates the atmosphere by directors. Chada uses symbolism in a variety of ways. For example, the Kholiwood sign and the American flag represent Kohli’s life and culture. Also, in the scene all of the sisters wear white, which symbolises purity and virginity, innocence, beliefs and traditions. This creates an atmosphere of youth and harmony, which a younger audience would instantly be attracted to. The musical scene also features an exercise bike, which demonstrates Mr Kohli’s routine, and shows that according to his beliefs everyday will be the same, according to his plans.
In Grease, there is also a lot of symbolism, which creates the atmosphere Randal Kiles is trying to create. For instance, the colour of Sandy and Danny’s costume portrays a great deal to the audience. The target audience are able to relate, as the dark colour and the leather material symbolise college students who are hip, trendy and enjoying the moment. Black also symbolises sexual passion between Danny and Sandy and shows both characters state of mind, where they are wearing similar fitted outfits. Sandy’s tight; leather black cat suit
shows her change in character also. Her previous outfits show a more innocent Sandy, the audience are able to experience the way she feels and thinks about her life through what she is wearing.
Both musical scenes in ‘Bride and Prejudice’ as well as ‘Grease’ provoke a great deal of emotions. For instance in ‘No Life Without Wife’, we experience excitement and anticipation, as well as worry, because we are not quite sure what will happen to the heroine and her relationship with Mr Kholi. The audience are definitely expecting their to be some changes in Lalitha and Mr Kohli's marriage arrangements, and this is seen through her expressing mixed emotions if not negative emotions towards choosing him as her future husband.
‘Grease’, and the musical scene for ‘You’re The One That I Want’ also provokes various emotions. For instance, Danny’s gestures and mood gives a comical effect, that he is shocked and struck by love when he sees Sandy dressed up for the first time at the school graduation carnival. Sandy acts sexy, which we can see through her gestures when she dances and shows off her figure.
The camera angles used to show Lalitha are manly close ups during the scene ‘No Life Without Wife’. Within the shots we are able to see clear facial expressions and see what the character is thinking and feeling. Outside in the courtyard it is very dark and there is a lot of light on Lalitha’s face. She is reminiscing and thinking about what she wants in life. The long-shots are mainly on Lalitha and her sisters together dancing outside and inside of the house. In the shot we see the four sisters wearing their pyjamas they seen to be irritating
Lalitha what she does not want after marriage. The lightening used in this shot is very bright.
In Grease, the scene ‘You’re the One I Want ,’ close ups are also used on Sandy and Danny in the carnival where they are trading their love to each other. The mid-shots are drawn on Danny’s and Sandy’s friends and the long-shots are used all over the carnival. The lighting of the shots is fairly bright because the scene is taken place at hours of daylight.
In conclusion, the most effective musical scene is ‘Your The One I Want ‘from the film Grease. This is because personally every time I watch the film it always me laugh. Danny Zuku is a funny character, you could compare his personality to a girl (he is so vain) and very entertaining to watch. Another reason to why I choose Grease is because it is a film I can relate to because of the age gender and love which happens everyday in life around me. ‘Bride and Prejudice’ the scene ‘No Life without Wife’ negotiates with marriage which I am not similar to. Grease is the most famous musicals of all times, its popularity is worldwide and generations have been memorised by its fun loving youthful lyrics.
