Melodrama

The concept of realism in theatre is an attempt made by the author and producer of a production to make the plot of a play the least complex and artificial as possible. The goal of those composing the play based on realism strive to achieve is an atmosphere and interaction among the characters that objectively depicts a reality which the audience can closely relate to. To accomplish this the settings, rhetoric, and environment the play are set in frame a natural environment based on the concept that life is shaped by our social acquaintances and physical environment.

The discussion of the term realistic is slightly more ambiguous. For something to be realistic it must be an exact, or as close as possible, replica of the original situation or object. However, I do not believe that these criteria are contingent upon the other to for something to be realistic.

Melodrama, the use of music with drama to elicit emotions, has a deep history in theatrical performances like opera. Today it can be seen daily in courtroom drama TV shows and action movie series. The best use of melodrama I have seen in the last year was a montage in the movie Babel by Alejandro Gonzalez. For about five minutes the movie explored a plethora of emotions through the use of music and action scenes. The realism in this sketch was overwhelmingly, which helped contribute to my heightened desire to pay attention. Although I knew that these were unlikely situations for me to find myself in, I found them to be highly plausible and realistic.