Textual Analysis: She's The Man

Distributor: DreamWorks

Typical Codes and Conventions:

The film is set in America and the main setting within the film is a school. This is a typical setting that is seen in teen romantic comedies, as education is a big part of teenage life. Character’s homes also feature in the film, reinforcing the idea of living at home and being dependant on family.

Character’s costumes are stereotypical of teen romantic comedies, such as uniforms, as they link with the setting. Casual clothing is also seen throughout the film, such as short sleeved shirts underneath long sleeves tops. This is a popular fashion trend for teenage boys, and helps the audience to relate to the characters. The character Viola, whose costume changes throughout the film from feminine to masculine, wears tank tops and shorts when dressed as a girl. This emphasises the change from male to female through her costume, but also reinforces the masculine traits she holds, as shorts are seen as a more male clothing type.

Non-diegetic sound is used at the very beginning of the film, engaging the viewer from the very beginning. Diegetic sound is heard throughout the film through dialogue, and the use of slang creates comedy as well as reinforcing the stereotypical way teenagers are portrayed to speak in teen romantic comedies.

High key lighting is used throughout the film. This style creates verisimilitude allowing the audience to relate to the narrative and characters easily.

Narrative Structure:

The film follows a linear narrative structure, with a clear beginning, middle and end.
Also, She’s The Man conforms to Todorov’s theory:

Equilibrium: Playing football on the beach with friends in the summer.
Disruption: Girl’s football team is cancelled.
Recognition of Disruption: Girl’s ask to try out for the boy’s football team, but fail.
Attempt to Repair Disruption: Decides to dress as twin brother and play as a boy.
Disruption: Begins to like for roommate, who doesn’t know she is not really a boy, and her brother comes back to school early.
Recognition of Disruption: Other characters begin to realise that she isn’t really a boy.
Attempt to Repair Disruption: Reveals she is a boy, but has shown that she is good enough for the team, and wins the game.
Reinstatement of Equilibrium: Girl gets together with roommate and plays football.

Characters:

The characters in the film are very stereotypical. These stereotypes are represented strongly by the use of mise en scene.  For example, Eunice, who wears glasses and has braces, and therefore represented as a geek. Other stereotypes such as the bitch are also seen in the film. The character Monique is represented this way through her character being clingy and having cat-fights with other female characters because of boys.

Propp’s theory is seen in the film. For example, Viola is the heroine throughout the film, as she drives the narrative forward and is on a quest to prove herself as a good enough female footballer, and she wins the match for the team at the end of the film, which is part of her reward. Duke is portrayed as the Princess as Viola rescues him from his obsession with Olivia as well as winning the football game for the team which Duke is the captain. Malcolm is the villain of the narrative, as he tries to stop Viola playing the game by attempting to uncover her true identity, to win the affections of Olivia. Viola’s friends, Paul, Kia and Yvonne, are mentors to the heroine, by helping her disguise herself as her twin and win the acceptance of the other boys at the school.

Themes:

A main theme throughout the film is relationships, especially romantic ones. The idea of falling in love very quickly and easily is a stereotypical view of teenagers. Another theme that is seen in She’s The Man is not fitting in at school. This is due to the fact that education is a large part of teenage life, and it also refers to the stereotypes that are associated with young people.

Technical Aspects:

Mid-shots are used throughout the film, for example, when Viola thinks of the idea to disguise herself as her brother. This allows the audience to see any props that are important to the narrative, such as the football.

Close ups are used frequently in the film too, for example when Duke kisses Viola at the carnival. These allow the audience to relate to the character’s situation as their face takes up the frame. Also, they highlight to the viewer that this is a key moment in the film, as well as helping the audience feel part of the action.

Straight cuts are used continually throughout the film. This is to create verisimilitude and aid the audience in relating to the characters and narrative as it appears realistic.