Strauss

Strauss theories how binary opposites drive the narrative. These opposites can be anything, but they are often important in the narrative. An example would be in the classic action film; it is often good vs evil and this is what the plot mainly revolves around.

 In a typical romance film it may be love vs hate or men vs woman. For example in Hitch (2005, dir. Andy Tennant) the lead female and lead male throughout the film are competing for power, which drives the narrative and showing the conflict between the two genders
Usually in comedy, the opposites may still be good vs evil or strong vs weak (and the weak often being the leading ‘good’ character). But there is just more of a comedic take on it.

 Obviously, this conflict is more prominent in parodies, and they are based on serious films that require the conflict. But other comedy films still require this conflict; for example American pie (1999, dir. Paul Weitz) shows the lives of some American high schoolers. The main character, Jim (Jason Biggs) is unpopular and unlucky in love and the film follows his journey up to Prom night, contrasting and conflicting with others around him. So the conflict broadly, could be popular vs unpopular. But more specifically to this film it could also be those having sex vs those not having sex.

The trailers for films often give away what the conflict is as this is the main idea behind the plot, without giving too much of the plot away.

Rock of Ages ( 2012, dir. Adam Shankman) shows very obviously the conflict that is present in the film. Between those who want to keep the club and those who don't. Perhaps though, this is because it is a very obvious conflict. In the trailer below, there is a scene of the two opposing parties protesting opposite each other. Maybe in a film where the conflict is more subtle, it wouldn't be shown from the trailer.



21 Jump Street (2012, dir. Phil Lord and Chris Miller) is the story is of two undercover cops in a high school as they find a drug dealer. However, from the trailer, you can't tell whether the cops are against the other policemen or if they stay against the students. Perhaps it is this mystery of the conflict which makes the film look appealing from the trailer. However, you can tell a broad set of opposites from the trailer; good vs evil. It just isn't clear who is on what side, from this.


Some more alternative or niche films, have less of a precise conflict and it is often the main character(s) against the rest of the world. For example; Little Miss Sunshine (2006, dir. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris) is the story of a family travelling across the country to a beauty pageant whilst running into lots of situations. As the only reoccurring characters in the film, and they are all 'on the same side'. There is no possibility of having conflict from other characters. The only conflict in the film are the situations they run into.



Similarly, Juno (2007, dir. Jason Reitman) doesn't have a particular conflict, just is Juno vs the rest of the world as she gets judged on, and copes with; her pregnancy.