Evaluation Question 2) How does your media product represent paticular social groups?

Q2) How does your media product represent paticular social groups?

Marathon Man shares similarities with our thriller opening in terms of representing a protagonist and antagonist, (good vs. evil). Sarah is the protagonist therefore she is made to look, vulnerable, and prey like. The long/mid shot of her in the living area, a lot of the frame is filled by the room and furniture; it makes her seem like a prey to the audience so it is clear that David is the antagonist. There is a similar shot like this when Dustin Hoffman is sitting in the chair strapped in, in this mid/long shot we see empty dull surroundings, also suggesting he is a prey.

Both characters are the protagonist and hold confused or innocent facial expressions, this contributes to the effect of dramatic irony, and helps us to sympathise with the victim. It also suggests that Sarah and Babe are part of a collective social group which holds them victim to the antagonist.

The antagonist represented in this film is by David, showing minimum of his character we familiarise ourselves with Sarah so more empathy is created towards her character. Point of view shots of David reveal his sinister persona and suggest that he holds intentions with Sarah.

As you can see, the obvious similarity in Marathon Man, Dr Szell and David is that both antagonist are looking at their victim, it insinuates that both men hold intent to cause harm to their victims. The facial expression is very serious and makes them seem all the more malicious. Dr Szell is part of a Nazi collective society, the negative connotations with this are obvious however, David’s is not as clear, the camera close ups help to that he has spiked the drink, rather than coming from a particular group or faction.

It is made clear that both David and Sarah come from a young, urban, wealthy and collective society. Their actions such as making a lot of effort getting ready or flirtatious behaviour imply their teenage and youthful persona. David is a ‘typical teenage boy’ whom holds sexual intent with Sarah; this contributes to portray the ‘young’ social group. However, obviously the complication arises when we realise she is captivated. Her pink bedroom and lots of makeup present her teenage character and almost make her seem very ‘naive’ when she follows David.