Textual Analysis: She's All That

Distributor: Miramax Films

Typical Codes and Conventions:

She’s All That is set in America. The main setting used in the film is a high school, this is a very common stock setting that is used in the majority of teen romantic comedies, as it highlights the idea that school takes up most of a young person’s life. Some scenes show individual character’s homes, such as Laney and Zack. The use of these in the film reinforces the stereotype that all teenagers live with their families and are financially dependent on their parents. The local beach is also seen at various times throughout the film. It is shown as a meeting place for the teenagers where they can hang out in the day and also gives a more specific idea of the type of place the characters live.

Laney’s costume changes throughout the film. This use of mise en scene visually shows the change in her personality and character. When she is first seen, she wears glasses and a mismatch of colours. The glasses portray her to be a geek and that she doesn’t fit in with the other perfect looking characters. Also, the use of many different colours being worn at once has connotations of her trying to express herself which is a stereotypical view of teenagers. As she begins to change in the film and open up more as a character, her costume changes too. She begins to wear dresses instead of trousers, showing her to be more feminine now and taking care of her appearance like the other female characters. Also she doesn’t wear her glasses anymore, which connotes her to be more accepted as she physically looks similar to the other characters in the film. Zack is immediately portrayed as a jock by him wearing a letterman jacket when he is first introduced. Throughout the film, Zack tends to wear simple clothing such as t-shirts and jumpers. This echoes the style of many teenage boys so it is a stereotypical style of costume that is seen in teen romantic comedies.

Stereotypical teenage traits are seen throughout the film, an example of this is Taylor getting a tattoo. This encodes her to be rebellious, which is a stereotypical view of teenagers. Prom Queen posters are also seen scattered around the school on walls. This emphasises the important of the prom to the narrative as well as showing the dance is considered very important to many teenagers.

Non-diegetic music is used at the very beginning of the film. This interests the audience straight away and also establishes that it is a teen film as the song is popular and upbeat. Diegetic sound is heard through dialogue. Many of the characters swear when speaking to one another which reinforces the stereotypical view that all teenagers use bad language.

High key lighting is used constantly throughout the film, which gives a natural and realistic feel to the situations and narrative, and also creates verisimilitude.

Narrative Structure:

She’s All That follows a linear narrative, consisting of a very clear beginning, middle and end. The film also follows Todorov’s theory:

Equilibrium: Zack returns to school after Spring Break.
Disruption: Taylor breaks up with Zack.
Recognition of Disruption: Taylor starts dating another man.
Attempt to Repair Disruption: Dean bets Zack that he couldn’t make Laney Prom Queen.
Disruption: Zack begins to like Laney.
Recognition of Disruption: Zack opens up to Laney.
Attempt to Repair Disruption: Zack and Laney nearly kiss.
Disruption: Laney finds out about the bet.
Recognition of Disruption: Laney ignores Zack’s phone calls.
Attempt to Repair Disruption: Laney goes to prom with Dean instead of Zack.
Disruption: Dean tries to have sex with Laney.
Recognition of Disruption: Laney goes home instead.
Attempt to Repair Disruption: Zack is waiting at Laney’s house and they kiss.
Reinstatement of Equilibrium: Zack and Laney graduate and are now together.

Characters:

The characters in She’s All That are very stereotypical of a teen romantic comedy. Mise en scene reinforces these stereotypes throughout the film. For example, Taylor is portrayed as the bitch, as she ruins Laney’s dress and also tells her she’s not good enough to be around her and her friends. Another stereotype seen in the film is that artistic people have dark personalities. An example of this is Laney’s art class peer, who wears very dark clothes throughout the film and makes jokes that Laney should kill herself.

Propp’s theory can be applied to the characters in the film. Zack is portrayed as the hero, because he tried to save Laney when he thinks Dean has taken her to a hotel to have sex with her, and he also drives the narrative forward. Laney is shown to be the Princess, as she is Zack’s reward after he tells the truth about his feelings and that he was in the wrong for making the bet. As the hero is a male in the film and the Princess a female, this implies it is very traditional when it comes to the character types seen in the film, which may be due to when it was made. The villains in the film are Taylor and Dean, as both try to stop Zack and Laney getting together, such as Dean going to prom with Laney and Taylor trying to win Zack back. Laney’s friend and Zack’s sister are the mentors of the film, as they help Zack and Laney be together by telling Zack about Dean’s plan.

Themes:

An important theme throughout She’s All That is family. This emphasises the stereotype that teenagers are dependent on their families and also shows how important Laney’s family is to her. The idea of not fitting in is also a strong theme seen in the film. This is also a very important part of the narrative and seen as an important part of teenage life.

Technical Aspects:

Mid-shots are used continually throughout the film, allowing the audience to see character’s reactions, whilst also showing other character’s at the same time. An example of this is when Zack is announced Prom King.

Close-ups are used frequently in the film, often to show reactions and emotions of characters. For example, when Laney finds out about the bet. This helps the audience identify easily with the character as they can clearly see how they are feeling.

Straight cuts are used consistently throughout the film as it creates verisimilitude and continuity, making the audience believe what is happening to the characters is real, and therefore identifying with them and the situations and issues they are facing.