Todorov

Todorov's Narrative Theory

 His theory states that films usually follow a specific pattern or structure - beginning, middle and end.

Phase 1: Equilibrium - The state of normality at the beginning of the film, or the routine the characters are used to.

Phase 2: Disruption - Something or someone that throws a wrench into the equilibrium, altering the characters' normal day.

Phase 3: Recognition - The audience and/or character realise what has happened or needs to be done.

Phase 4: Resolution - The character or characters attempt to resolve the problem and return to the situation they prefer.

Phase 5: New Equilibrium - The issue has been dissolved, however long that has taken, and the characters can return to their original state at the beginning of the film.


Example

Singin' in the Rain

Equilibrium - Don is a big silent movie star with Lina. At the beginning of the movie they are attending the premiere of their new movie.

Disruption - The people they work for announce that Don and Lina will start starring in talking pictures.

Recognition - They all know that Lina cannot do movies with speech (she has a shrill and annoying voice) so must think of a way to produce a successful film without having her say a word.

Resolution - Numerous ideas are tried before a solution is found. First, they hire vocal coaches, but that doesn't work. There is a big problem with the sound when the movie comes out. Since talking pictures are so new, the sound is corrupted and leaves the audience in fits of laughter, turning Don into a joke. When spending an afternoon with love interest Kathy and best friend Cosmo, the three realise that the movie could be a musical. As Lina can't sing, they suggest that Kathy act as a voice double.

New Equilibrium - The film is a success and Kathy is revealed as the true voice. Don goes back to being a huge hit and gets to continue life making movie musicals with Kathy.



This is the pivotal 'Good Morning' scene, where the three protagonists perform a cheerful number, which leads them to find the solution to their Lina problem.

Fun fact: Gene Kelly (Don) made them do the number so many times that Debbie Reynolds (Kathy) had shoes filled with blood by the end. She was only 19 at the time of filming.







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