Shane Meadows Trailer Analysis: A Room For Romeo Brass

Shane Meadows Trailer Analysis

A Room For Romeo Brass

There is a quick shot of the distribution company so the audience are informed. Then it cuts to a medium shot of two teenage boys having an argument which shows the audience that they’re the main protagonist. The location is in the park suggesting that their innocent as they’re still young. We can see from their clothing and the use of language that they are working class, this film could be portraying this kind of life style so it relatable to the audience.  The boy (left) is complaining about how much the boy (right) is eating which indicates that they have a close relationship because he’s looking out for his friends health. The scene cuts to a title, revealing the two protagonists names “Romeo and Gavin”, it stands out in contrast to the black background. There is non-diegetic cheerful music that plays in the background to suggest that they have a humorous friendship because once the scene cuts they are seen lying down. This conforms the stereotypical young teenagers as they’re having fun.  There is another title showing the audience that “Family was hard” could be the reason their friendship may fall apart. 

The audience are introduced to Romeo’s family household; there is a long shot of the living room introducing his mother and sister. This conforms the stereotypical working class families because their living off on takeaways. The lighting is low key to show his sadness as his mother isn’t pleased about what he bought back, it then juxtaposes to a happier Romeo because the title suggests that friendship was easier than family. There is a medium shot of Gavin throwing adult magazines out of the window which shows that they have each other’s back, it switches to a high angle shot of Romeo indicating that he’s insignificant because he’s pleading for the magazines “I can’t do without them”. This scene is comical as the male audience could relate. There is an over the shoulder showing that Gavin is has got caught because a female character is enters suggesting that it’s his mother. The quick shot of Romeo collecting the magazine shows his desperation. It switches to a close up of Gavin’s father’s expression which shows that those magazines belong to him; this is exposed when Gavin sneakily looks and laughs at his dad whilst there is diegetic dialogue of his mother asking where he got them from. The scene distorts indicting the change of location, we can see that Romeo is getting beaten up, and then a stranger (Morell) is introduced suggesting that he’s the saviour of both Gavin and Romeo so he is likely to plays a huge part in their lives. The camera tracks the stranger as he runs off to help them.  The audience are informed that Morell has romantic feelings for Gavin’s sister; there is a long shot of him with flower as she walks past him. There is a voiceover of Gavin giving the Morell advice on how he is able to get his sister and he blames it on his fashion sense. The scene changes to a long shot of the changing room then Morell appears showing his new style however the clothing isn’t the best as he is basing it on the teenager’s opinion. This subverts the stereotypical responsible adult especially he’s hanging out with children, implying that he’s an odd character. Morell decides to show off his new style as he walks in approaching Gavin’s sister however he’s represented as a fool especially as he’s clumsy and falls.  There is a close up shot of Gavin’s sister showing that she’s shocked, and then in the next scene she informs her brother that she actually doesn’t like him. 

In the next scene Romeo comments “His mother dropped him when he was a baby” seems offensive as he embarrasses Morell in front of Gavin’s sister, the next title informs the audience that there will be a problem with Romeo’s and Gavin’s friendship. The non-diegetic music suddenly turns dramatic because Morell’s expression shows that he’s annoyed “You don’t know what it’s like messing around with people’s feeling”, there is shot reverse shot as they’re having a conversation. This makes the audience curious about what Romeo did wrong, suddenly Morell’s characteristics changes unexpectedly because he’s aggressive towards Gavin because he grabs his collar. The audiences are able to see that Gavin is injured, there is low-key lighting highlighting the separation, the shot changes to a long shot as Romeo walks away whilst Gavin calls out his name. Romeo’s body language shows the change in his character because he has become gloomy and sad due to Morell. The audience’s perspective on Morell has changed because in the introduction he was seen as a hero however he is now disliked; he has broken up the long-term friendship. There are a sudden flashback and montage of them looking lonely; its accompanied by a slow paced non-diegetic music to reflects the protagonist’s emotion, making us emphasis with them. The audience are then informed that Romeo’s isn’t interested in their friendship which makes up curious on whether the solve their problems. These situations are relatable to the audience, as they may have experienced similar problems to these. There is couple of montages of the characters getting along and repairing their friendship and it also reveals that Morell and Gavin’s sister got into a relationship. The editing is a slow paced to show the key highlights catching the audience’s attention and involved the audience through all the problems the boys are facing. We are able to see that it’s a low budget film as there aren’t unique camera shots or eye-catching titles nevertheless the film does represent the social realism because it represents the normal working class people in society. The trailer ends with a humorous scene which shows that audience that everything between has been resolved.