Film Poster Semiotics Analysis

For this assignment, we were told to analyse the semiotics of one of our favourite movies- I chose (500) days of summer.

From this poster, we can tell straight away that the movie contains a certain level of romance by the bottom picture featured on Gordon-Levitt's t-shirt. We are also provided with a quote from a popular magazine or newspaper at the top of the shirt. The quote states that the movie is "The coolest romantic comedy of the year". From this, we can also deduct that the movie is of the romantic-comedy genre. Although if it wasn't for the quote, we could also tell what genre the movie could possibly be by the top-middle picture placed on Gordon-Levitt's t-shirt as it features the two main characters kissing. The clever title of the movie highlights that the movie focuses on Zooey Deschanel's character, Summer, during the timespan of 500 days. The pictures around the typography also highlight the main events and subjects of the movie.

The fact that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is placed in the centre of the poster and the fact that he is the only non-inanimate item on the spread suggest that he is the main character and the protagonist of the movie. The colour scheme of the poster being mostly blue can suggest happiness and joy being main themes of the movie and only provides positive connotations. No negativity can be suggested from the poster which is a good point for a film of the romantic-comedy genre as people usually watch these movies with the intention of viewing anecdotes of romance and love as opposed to anything dark or disturbing. The typography of the title is in the colour blue aswell which can support my earlier point of the film focusing on light-hearted subjects and romantic events.

Gordon Levitt's character is looking down at the events happening on his shirt and clearly feels a sense of pride and love towards his relationship with Deschanel's character, Summer.