This is to attract and American audience as well as a European one. Having the film set in Europe attracts the Americans, but having the American actors is what would have really attracted them. For example Both Roman holiday and Bridget Jones did well in America, but Love Actually wasn’t all that successful as it had an all English cast.
Despite likenesses in casting and location the two films differ a great deal. I believe the differences between the two films lies heavily on how culture and society has changed during the past 50 years. Roman holiday, by today’s standards is extremely safe. By safe I mean there are little sexual references. The most sexual contact between the two characters is a kiss and hugging. However when the Princess wakes in Mr Bradley’s bed she checks to see if she is wearing pyjama bottoms or not. This Furthermore when she is getting changed after a bath and the maid walks in, the maid assumes that she has slept with Mr Bradley and begins to shout at Ann, scaring her. This is the greatest reference to sex in the film, and it is portrayed in an unacceptable manner. This is to show the audience that anything of that nature is improper and immoral. In the early 1950s it was believed across society that there should b no sex before marriage etc.
In contrast to Roman holiday, Bridget Jones has a lot of sexual references and scenes. More than once do we see Bridget and the male lead about to engage in sexual intercourse, or that they have just done so. The language used by the characters is also of strong, and would be seen by the audience of Roman holiday unacceptable. However in modern times language of that nature is the norm and is almost expected. It is seen as a bad thing that Bridget has not has sex in a long time while out of wedlock. Despite this both films have one thing in common-it is desirable for a woman to be married. In Roman holiday, Ann wishes to be married and live a normal life; Bridget Jones also wishes to have a partner and a steady relationship. However Ann wishes to be a housewife and not to work, whereas Bridget has a career and would like to carry that on. Again this is a difference due to how society has changed. It was not proper for a wife to be working in the 50s, whereas now it more normal for a women to want to pursue a career rather than spend all day cooking and cleaning. In the same way, the way the women dress is extremely different. Ann wears a long skirt and a blouse buttoned the neck, whereas Bridget wears mini skirts and revealing tops. Again this is because what is viewed as acceptable by the public at the time.
Despite differences in the social context the films have similar conventions. Both films see the main female character grow and change, and go from a life of boredom and misery to one of excitement, fun and passion. However Roman holiday breaks a vital convention in today’s cinema. We except Ann to come back for Mr Bradley but she does not. There are many opportunities in the film for Ann to go back or to invite Mr Bradley into her life but she does not. This was because she had a duty to her country, and again it would be expected by the society for people to honour their duties, and it would have been viewed that Ann did the right thing. Modern day audiences would expect a happy ending, where the couple get together as our lives have more stress now, and we like to see a happy ending. It would make the audience feel better about their selves. Especially as the two characters involved in the romance would be opposites and it may seem impossible for them to be together. It would give the audience hope.
The humour in the films is also very different. In Roman holiday the humour is mostly visual. For example Mr Bradley spills a drink over his friend on number occasions. Also there is a big fight at the dance where the police offers are made to look incompetent. To the 1950s audience this would have been hilarious, now it seems a little too staged and pathetic. In contrast Bridget Jones has visual and spoken comedy; the comedy is no where nears a innocent or child like either. There is fighting which is amusing, but most of the jokes are rude, and some of the visual comedy is rude as well. For example when Bridget gets the job as a news presenter and has to go adown a fireman’s pole, her bottom is expose to the camera. In the 1950s this would have been scene as highly inappropriate and would not have been allowed in the film.
Overall Roman holiday and Bridget Jones’ diary both have many similarities and dissimilarities. This is mainly because of the how the society has changed. However the conventions of rom-coms have largely stayed the same.
