Film Poster Deconstruction 2

Unlike my first deconstruction, the poster for Manchester by the Sea is seemingly more conventional of a film poster, though it still maintains a certain ambiguity that works in its favour rather than hinders its appeal. 

Textually, the film is given a lot look at. The biggest example is the critical quote, written in the same font and colour as the title itself to create a synonymous cohesion between the film and its critical expectation. Likewise, the names of the cast and crew are written in the same blue colour and font to express the similarities in their involvement and contribution to the film.  

Its critical acclaim, although hinted at through the notable quote along the top, is confirmed and supported by the rave ratings it has received from other critics, visually represented through the 5 star reviews laid out neatly in rows to express the film's value. This critical praise prevents the poster from being underwhelming and ambiguous, because we trust film journalists and so their reviews are enough for us to believe that the film is worth watching.   

That isn't to say that the poster is aesthetically bland, just not so easily determinable. It is possible to imply that the film is a drama based on the domestic appearance and lack of intensity occurring in the picture. However it is also possible to read into the poster that the two characters are undergoing difficulties, hinted at through Affleck's uncomfortable body language and Williams' emotional expression. The blurred background creates a focus on these two protagonists, but also keeps the setting as an important part of the image. The blue and coastal town supports the title 'By the Sea' and the mise en scene of the seagulls helps to maintain this local appearance. With this locational intimacy and character relationship audiences can determine that the film will be dramatic and based in a small setting important to the film's arc. 

I like the approach of the poster here, letting the critical appraisal speak for the film. It is an unobtrusive and not necessarily eye catching poster, but the light and pastel colour palette creates a simultaneous uplifting and downbeat tone reflecting the film's dramatic but human approach. 

Films do provide both portrait and landscape posters when promoting their films, and this is both a practical decision since most cinemas display an array of different sized frames, but also a visual decision because it allows advertisers to create slight changes to the appearance. For example the portrait poster for Manchester by the Sea includes more focus on the setting and the critical quotes rather than the star rating. The sea gulls, sea and shoreline add more authenticity to the title and this brings greater importance to the role of the setting in the film. Additionally, a quotation rather than a star rating adds more clarity and insight into the specific appeal of the film. In particular, the film is praised for its actor's performances and for being 'heartbreaking and heartwarming'.

I like how these posters maintain a simple but impactful representation of the film and its themes.