Author: Elliot Warren
Steve Neale is a key figure in genre theory, particularly known for his structuralist analysis of cinematic categories. In his widely cited book Genre and Hollywood, Neale examines how classical narrative structures, visual codes, and ideological tensions are central to the experience of crime films.
Neale argues that crime narratives often begin with social disorder and build toward a restoration of order, dramatizing the tension between law and transgression. Characters typically operate in moral gray zones, compelling the audience to grapple with questions of justice, power, and ethics.
Importantly, Neale emphasizes repetition and difference. While crime films may follow similar narrative arcs, variations in tone, setting, characterization, and cultural context introduce richness and innovation. From noirs like The Big Heat to neo-noirs like L.A. Confidential and procedural thrillers like Zodiac, the genre evolves while maintaining recognizable traits.
Recent scholarship has drawn on Neale’s framework to explore the ideological role of crime cinema in reinforcing or challenging dominant social values. His structuralist perspective continues to serve as a foundation for genre studies, especially in understanding how narrative and ideology intersect in popular film.
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