Sound Analysis in Romantic Comedies

Sound plays a huge part in as to why the rom-com genre is immensely successful. Their enduring popularity and way to recreate themselves is partially due to the soundtrack which helps the genre grab the audience's attention. The film will stereotypically start with a non-diegetic soundtrack score. The soundtrack usually will be either pop music or jazzy but it is always light hearted and upbeat. It plays in the background while we are introduced to the central character. Than while the non-diegetic score will play in the background the diegetic sound which is dialogue in the form of a voice over will typically take over.

Jerry Maguire (1996) film staring Tom Cruise and Renee Zellwegar had a really successful soundtrack. Their use of the song Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen helped the song reach 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 due to the exposure it got from the film.

Love Actually (2003) soundtrack made the film a success. The soundtrack reached in the top 40 of the US Billboard 200 in and ranked no 2 in 2004.

While You Were Sleeping (1995) is an example of where non-diegetic sound plays in the background and diegetic sound in the form of a voice over from the central character plays in the background as well.

Posted By Bansari Raval