Film genres refer to a specific style or subject matter of a movie. A film can have elements from multiple genres but is classified under a single genre. Genres offer potential viewers hints about the movie’s subject matter and suitability. Categorizing movies by genre is not always easy, and some films can defy the rigidity of their own genres. Film genres are similar to music and literary genres, and actors, screenwriters, and directors are often associated with a specific category.
When filmmakers and film critics refer to a film genre, they generally mean a specific style or subject matter. While a film may have elements from several genres, it is often classified under a single genre for reference purposes. Some people might consider director Mel Brook’s film Blazing Saddles to be in the Western genre, for example, but its satirical tone and comedic writing put it squarely in the comedy genre. Other film genres include drama, romantic comedy, action/adventure, musical, and experimental.
The inclusion of a film in a recognized genre offers potential viewers some general hints about its subject matter and suitability. If a film is described as a Western, for example, audiences should expect to see cowboys on horses in the American West during the 19th century. There are also some stock characters and dramatic situations associated with a specific category, such as a sheriff, a villain, and a saloon bartender in a western.
Categorizing movies by genre is not always an easy task, as a drama can have its share of comedic moments or a comedy can take a more dramatic turn. Some film experts will create new genres or sub-genres to describe these hybrid films, such as action comedies or dramas. In general, however, most films made in a specific genre, such as film noir or crime dramas, follow the established structure and storylines of that genre. Some films can defy the rigidity of their own genres, however, such as Clint Eastwood’s deconstructed Western Unforgiven, which intentionally avoided many of the clichés associated with the Western film genre.
Film genres are in many ways similar to music genres or literary genres. A director often understands what elements are expected in a specific film genre and steers the film towards that end. Some actors are generally associated with a specific type of category, as are screenwriters and directors. The late director John Ford, for example, worked almost entirely in the Western film genre. Actor Hugh Grant is perhaps best known for his work in the romantic comedy genre. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer specializes in the action film genre.
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