Conventions of a Crime Film

The conventions of a film usually reflect on the genre it is categorised as being. Crime films are famously know to contain corruption, deceit and usually follow a narrative of good versus bad. However there are many more conventions commonly linked to crime films that are developed in a way to ensure the genre requirements are met. The codes and conventions of a film are used to address the viewer on what the film will contain, and in crime sequences this can be demonstrated by using particular shots, cuts, music and characters. The pace between shots is usually a lot faster to speed up the action in the narrative making it more intense.

Avid crime film fans are not shocked to see bloodshed and bank robberies, and it is considered a common feature for the audience themselves to establish a connection with the protagonist, before seeing them cunningly betrayed. 

A character structure regularly seen supports Vladimir Propps theory of the roles in which each character plays. He states that there are seven characters that play a role in maintaining the desired narrative of a story. These seven characters can easily be identified in common crime films.

Props are also needed to represent the genre, and what is a crime film without a handgun or a facial disguise? These not only indicate to the audience the intensity and drama of the scene but add a sinister layer to the action taking place. This makes the audience want to watch contently so as not to miss anything, however some audiences find material of this sort too much and so that is when the conventions have to be regulated to suit the certificate rating.

Other conventions that can be recognised as being in a crime film can even be the motifs of certain characters. A common plot for a crime story is when an outsider dislikes his low status in life and so strives for more. We often measure the success of a character in a crime genre film by material goods. However, say we were to be watching a romance, then the wealth of a person may be measured through his relationships and the success of them. Often in a crime film we can also identify society as being the protagonists, antagonist.

Lighting is usually left at natural lighting, perhaps using a blue filter, except when wealth is being shown when a much warmer filter is used, making it almost desirable.

As you can see from this video of IGN's top five crime films, many of them share very common running themes such as guns, violence and secretive deals.