For my independent study I am analysing the 2007 film Hot Fuzz. The main character is Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), the finest cop London has to offer, with an arrest record “400%” higher than any other officer on the force. His achievements reflect poorly on the other officers in the force. As a result, Angel's superiors (Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman and Steve Coogan) send him to a place where his talents won't be quite so embarrassing - the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford. Once there, he is partnered with the well-meaning but overeager police officer Danny Butterman (Nick Frost). The son of amiable Police Chief Frank Butterman (Jim Broadbent), Danny is a huge action movie fan and believes his new big-city partner might just be a real-life "bad boy," and his chance to experience the life of gunfights and car chases he so longs for. Angel is quick to dismiss this as childish fantasy and Danny's puppy-like enthusiasm only adds to Angel's growing frustration. However, as a series of grisly accidents rocks the village, Angel is convinced that Sandford is not what it seems and as the intrigue deepens, Danny's dreams of explosive, high-octane, car-chasing, gunfighting, all-out action seem more and more like a reality. “It's time for these small-town cops to break out some big-city justice.”
In particular I will be focusing on the representation of the British police force especially when compared to the representation of the American police force due to the films American action style mixed with British humour and stereotypical British setting.
The film also tackles various wider contexts including underage drinking, murder, the use of guns and shop lifting. I will again analyse these issues and compare them with the American attitudes towards them.
As well as comparing the film to various American attitudes and representations I will also compare Hot Fuzz to other British police drama and comedies such as the Bill and The Thin Blue Line. Plus possibly the most famous police comedy; Police Academy.
A major part of the film is the involvement of the cult, the Neighbourhood Watch Alliance, and therefore I will look into the representation and attitudes towards cults.
4 comments:
Well done, Craig - this is good so far. Beware of using a style that is too 'journalistic' and not formal enough!
A relevant review: http://the.ricethresher.org/ae/2007/04/20/hot_fuzz_review
Information about a book that may be useful to you: http://www.scope.nottingham.ac.uk/bookreview.php?issue=6&id=161
Article on TV police drama: http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/445716/index.html
Remember to consider the appeal to the audience - you might refer to genre or the use of 'stars' - thsi could then develop into a discussion on institutions.
Graig, this is a bangin' essay. i would say that you should beware of using a style that is too 'journalistic' and not formal enough!
Amazingly ok, you need a conclusion because it kinda just ends suddenly!
Hello...I think you should explain a bit more about the representation, as it is your main focus. Explain how other key concepts link to the representation and say why you chose to focus on representation.
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