Denise Fleming

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By Maddy E Representation of Character Denise Fleming In ‘Can’t Hardly Wait

Transcript of Denise Fleming

Page 1: Denise Fleming

By Maddy E

Representation of Character

Denise FlemingIn ‘Can’t Hardly Wait’

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In the film ‘Can’t Hardly Wait’ Denise Fleming (Lauren Ambrose) is seen as the intelligent, yet antisocial girl. She is best friends with Preston,

and later falls in love with Kenny Fisher. She has bright orange hair, bright eyes and casual clothes.

She also wears a leather jacket to the party.

Denise FlemingAs seen from her ‘Future Plans’ below. Denise wants to join NYU, a top college. Denise does not have many friends in the film, and hangs around her guy friends than other girls.

What stereotyped group they are in. Do they support or challenge the traditional stereotype?

Denise fits into her own category of stereotypes. She is most likely to be the ‘loner chick’ and sometimes she appears to look punk or goth. Denise however, has a good heart and does not bully others. She is also forgiving and loyal to her friends.

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How are they constructed through codes and conventions such as camera

angles, lighting, costume, music etc?

What values do they promote? Is the character meant to be seen positively or

negatively? How is the audience positioned to view this character?

Denise’s values are: being different, out of the crowd, but also being loyal to your friends. Denise only has true close friends, and is not part of a big social group. She is by herself for most of the time at the party until she meets Kenny or talks to Preston or others. She is seen negatively due to the fact that she is a loner and isn’t doing much, but can be seen also positively because she makes love with Kenny in the bathroom. Denise is a bit strange, and the audience will feel that she is different to the other party-crazy characters. Denise wants to fit in, but doesn't know how to.

In many cases, theCamera makes DeniseLook solitary and awayFrom other people, this Is seen when she is at the party.But at times the lightIs bright, sometimesWhen she is withHer friends, like when she is with Preston at the start and at the end. When she is with Kenny the camera is bright when they are in love and dark when they are fighting or

arguing.

The camera angle usually focuses on Denise when she is talking about something important.

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How are they constructed through their behaviour, events and storyline?

How are they represented at

different points of the film and why?

At the beginning of the film, Denise is a young girl who isn’t afraid to express her opinions. Especially on Preston’s choice of following Amanda, Denise wanted him to give up on her. Denise doesn't really want to go to the party, but is forced to because Preston wanted her to fit in. When she arrives at the party, Vicki acts smart with Denise, and forces her to sign the yearbook. Other girls in the film avoid Denise and don’t really like her because she isn’t slutty like them.. She only gets another friend when she meets Kenny, who became her lover.

Denise is constructed as an outcast and a girl who is different, and tomboyish. When we see Denise by herself we feel sorry for her because she is separating herself from the rest of the party. When she makes love to Kenny we feel as though she has accomplished something but she feels awkward with Kenny because it wasn’t as good as she thought it would be. When they get into an argument we feel sad, especially when Denise is driving away with Kenny on her tail. When they finally kiss and get back together we feel really happy.

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Why? Does the writer send her on that journey?

What can the audience learn from her?

The writer wanted Denise to find herself through the film. She was awkward and shy at the start, but when she slept with Kenny she felt that maybe she accomplished something. She is more happy at the end of the film because she hooked up with Kenny and wished Preston good luck with Amanda, something she did not do at the starting graduation. Denise found her place and now she is happy and going to make it to college.

The audience can learn from Denise a lot. They can learn to love the way they are, and should always follow their dreams. Denise is an example of a young lady who accomplished what she needed to do. The viewers watching the film can learn to be more respectful and forgiving people by watching Denise because she forgave Kenny after what he did. And she was kind to her friends, such as Preston.

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THE ENDThanks for

watching