Good v Bad Design: Audi A4 and the De Lorean D.M.C 12

There can be little doubt in anyone’s mind that both the Audi A4 and the De Lorean D.M.C 12 are well known for entirely different reasons. The De Lorean had a leading role on the silver screen while the Audi A4 has been on our roads for nearly two decades (Autoevoluation.com 2013). The following topics are covered in this essay.

· Audi A4 an example of good design.

· De Lorean D.M.C 12 an example of bad design.

Evaluation of the main points of this essay will show that the Audi A4 is an example of good design and the De Lorean D.M.C 12 is an example of bad design. The example I have chosen for a bad s the De Lorean D.M.C 12. The De Lorean D.M.C 12 was built by the De Lorean Motor company for just over two years before going bankrupt (About.com 2013). If you are to look at the DeLorean as a whole you would quickly realise that it has many bad design qualities.   The fact operations were shifted to Northern Ireland where many of the workers never held automotive jobs before contributed greatly to the poor build quality. (Popular Mechanics 2012). When evaluating a design like the DeLorean you have to ask yourself the question “do people want it?”. The fact a little over 8,500 people purchased the car clearly showed that the car buying public did not want the DeLorean (About.com 2013). I believe once you have evaluated a design of any sort you have to ask yourself, “what does someone know now that they did not know before?”. In 1981 the world was a dreary place, and perhaps was not ready to accept the DeLorean as a template for future car design.

The example I have chosen for a good design is the 2013 Audi A4. I believe when you are evaluating the A4 you should ask yourself the question “what does it say?” If you drive through any town in Ireland in an Audi A4 it tells people you have been successful in life. I believe you could also make the argument that while the Audi A4 is modern in appearance it still blends in with its surroundings unlike the DeLorean. Since the Audi A4 first came out in 1994, they have improved the weight mass distribution which means better handling and corner stability (Autoevolution 2013). If you examine the Audi A4 from a design point of view, you would have to consider, will the car I buy today still look as well and modern in five or six years time. I would argue that the Audi A4 has the same lasting power as other major car brands such as Mercedes. It is also interesting to note how after 19 years a company can still find improvements to be made in what is otherwise considered a good design. In conclusion, while both cars were manufactured in different eras, the Audi A4 should   still be considered the better design. 

Play Review- John Sheehy’s play Fred and Alice

John Sheehy’s play Fred and Alice presents you with a quirky love story between two characters with special needs. This fairy-tale love story begins when Fred and Alice meet in a home for special needs. The play sees them going on a journey where they fall in love and move in together. It is also worth pointing out that the 99^th performance of this play took place in the River Bank arts centre located in the picturesque Kildare town of Newbridge.

It is a testament not only to the great writing skills of John Sheehy and the acting of Ciaran Bermingham as Fred, and Cora Fenton as Alice, that the play managed to be a combination of both serious and comic. The play is firstly about the very topical issue of people with special needs having relationships. This Callback theatre production does not favour one side of the argument over the other, but allows the audience to make up their own mind as to whether or not, people with intellectual disabilities should be allowed to enter into a relationship. There can be little doubt in anyone’s mind that this was the dramatic question the play presented. However on the other hand the play brings us on a comedy journey of a man and women who sort out everything in their own hilarious way. The cries of laughter that came from the audience during the play is a testament to this fact.

There can also be little doubt that the identifiable production concept is how a couple who both have an intellectual disability can cope while in the real world. The production concept manifests itself when Fred and Alice take the brave decision to leave the security of the care home and take a step into the big bad world. It also manifests itself in the scene where Alice makes the statement “an immature coping strategy is better than no coping strategy” It is also worth reflecting that perhaps few would disagree with the words expressed by poor Alice. The writer and director of the play John Sheehy got his inspiration to write this play during his college years. It is interesting to note  that while the central theme of the play was how couples with intellectual disabilities cope in the real world, Sheehy never before had any interaction with people with disabilities. Despite this Sheehy along with producer Cora Fenton who also plays Alice masterfully show the inner fantasy world of a couple with intellectual disabilities. The cast and crew are very adamant that this play is not about laughing at people with intellectual disabilities, but in fact laughing with them. The elements of production were masterfully coordinated and compatible, a further compliment to all those involved. The play goes from how Fred and Alice meet for the first time, to leaving the care home altogether, to finally setting up home themselves.

                   

There are few who would hesitate in saying that both Ciaran Bermingham as Fred and Cora Fenton as Alice gave stellar performances in their respective roles. Ciaran Bermingham as Fred managed to master the mannerisms that can be associated with a person with intellectual disabilities. He mastered the role to such an extent, it gave the audience a glimpse into that world. While Cora Fenton as Alice managed to accurately portray the role of an innocent girl with an intellectual disability whose only fault is that she can only see the good in people. It can be difficult for some, who are unfamiliar with the wourld of a person with an intellectual disability to understand the mannerisms of both Fred and Alice. However through a combination of great acting and directing, the audience came away more educated about the subject.

The surroundings of the Kildare venue allowed the play and its characters to come alive to the audience. Some people are of the opinion that in order to see a good play in this country you need to travel up to Dublin. However if the quality of productions that can be seen in the River Bank is anything to go by, Dublin is no longer the only place to see a quality play like Fred and Alice.

The costume design of Fred and Alice was particularly noteworthy and contributed greatly to the total production. The costume worn by Cora Fenton allowed her to portray Alice as a doll like character. This was perhaps to represent the fragile nature of her character. While the clothing worn by Ciaran Bermingham as Fred created the image of a sheltered character.

The sounds used during the course of the play brought the audience into the fantasy world of Fred and Alice, but they also allowed the audience to go on a journey with them. My overall impression of Fred and Alice as a production was it not only allowed the audience a glimpse into the fantasy world of two leading characters, it also brought the audience on a journey rather than just telling a story.                    

Film Analysis- The Crying Game and Felicia’s Journey

There can be little doubt in anyones mind that film production is inherently a function of dominant ideological structure. The role Irish film has in relation to creating interpretations and perceptions of what Ireland means for ourselves and others cannot be underestimated. The Irish films I will discuss are The Crying Game and Felicia’s Journey.

The following topics will be covered in this film analysis.

·         Does the title of the film indicate what the films are about?

·         Does the opening scene suggest the theme of The Crying Game and Felicia’s Journey?

·         What is the relationship between the characters and their environment?

·         What does the imagery of The Crying Game and Felicia’s Journey suggest?

·         Does Felicia’s Journey and The Crying Game challenge us to reflect on current social and political questions?

Evaluation of the main points of this film analysis will show that it is not only important Irish  film continues to reflect changes in Irish society but we as viewers attempt to explore and question the meaning behind these images of Ireland.

There can be little doubt in anyones mind that Irish film has a significant role in creating images of what Ireland means for ourselves and others. However in relation to The Crying Game the title does not give an indication as to what the film is about. One reasons for this could be the director Neil Jordan wanted to keep the audience guessing as to what the film is about. In my opinion the title Crying Game does not suggest in any way that  the film is related to the troubles in Northern Ireland. It is also my belief the title The Crying Game does not suggest the theme of violence, which is evident throughout. According to Brian Mc llroy of British Columbia University Irish director Neil Jordan has a fascination with unusual relationships. This fascination with unusual relationships can be seen in the friendship that occurs between Dil and Fergus. However the title does not give an indication of  such a major characteristic of Jordan’s work. Similarly to the Crying Game the title Felicia’s Journey does not suggest a connection with the plot of the film. In fact I think the title is completely misleading as it suggests that the main character Felecia is going on a J1 trip and not searching for the father of her unborn child. The significance of the title to the film is again to allow the audience to think for themselves what the film is all about.

It is my belief that the opening scene of The Crying Game does not in any way suggest the theme of Northern Ireland. I believe the role of the opening scene is not to give the plot of the film away, but give enough information to keep the viewer interested. While the ferris wheel and seafront do not suggest a connection with the theme of the film, the opening song “when a man loves a woman” provides  the viewer with an indication that one of the main themes of the film is relationships. Brian Mc llroy suggests that violence is attached to the majority of Jordan’s work. The opening scene of The Crying Game fails to show this major characteristic of Jordan’s work. In a similar manner to The Crying Game the opening scene of Felicia’s Journey also fails to suggest the theme of the film. I also found it particularly difficult to make the connection between the opening scene of Hilditch preparing a meal and the overall theme of the film. The old style music also fails to indicate what will later  transpire in the film. I believe the opening scene of The Crying Game gives the viewer a smaller indication of what the film is about, whereas the opening scene of Felicia’s Journey does not.  

There can be little doubt in anyone’s mind that The Crying Game is an example of romantic republicanism. An example of this point from the film is Fergus one of the main characters in the film and an I.R.A volunteer. He holds the romantic republican view of a 32 county state. However Fergus is different to the others in the I.R.A, as he is the only one with a conscience. Anna Zaluczkowska made the point in her article entitled “Northern Irish Film is finding its voice”, that when a film when a Northern Ireland film, is not made by someone from Northern Ireland, the film  tends to lose its voice. However in relation to the Crying Game Neil Jordan manages to capture that voice. The relationship between Dil and the environment the film is set in, is she is a confused person, who gets involved in the conflict only as a result of her relationship with a British solder named Jody. The connection between Felicia’s character and the environment the film is set in , she is as small town girl from Ireland who leaves for England in search of the father of her unborn child. The connection between Hilditch and the environment the film is set in, is  he is a strange and psychopathic character who acts under the cover of well respected businessman . Similarly to The Crying Game, there is evidence in Felicia’s Journey to suggest a romantic republican narrative. This is evident when Felicia’s father expresses his dissatisfaction at her boyfriend’s decision to join the British army. The father holding the view that Johnny should remain at home and join the Irish army. There can also be little doubt in anyone’s mind that characters in both films have strong connections with the environment they play in. However Felicia is not sure about the direction her life is going in and is almost lost in the environment the film is set. This is in sharp contrast to the main characters of The Crying Game who don’t appear lost in their environment.

It is my belief that the imagery in Felicia’s Journey, suggest Ireland is a conservative and rural nation. When Felicia’s Journey was made in the late 90’s, the Irish people already took the decision to introduce divorce into Irish Law. Therefore I believe the imagery of Ireland portrayed in Felicia’s Journey not to be accurate. I believe as a Public Relations student, Irish film must continue to reflect changes in Irish society and viewers should attempt to explore and question the meaning behind these images of Ireland. In a similar manner, the imagery of Ireland portrayed in The Crying Game would not be a true reflection of the current political environment. The Crying Game was made at a very volatile time during the peace process. As Brian Mc llory said there are many ways to view The Crying Game one of which is historical. While the imagery of The Crying Game is not representative of the current political situation in Ireland, it does however represent the volatility in the peace process that historians associate with the early 90s . Where the two films differ is the imagery of Felicia’s Journey neither represents the image of Ireland now or at the time it was made. While it is important for film to continue to reflect the changes in Irish society, it is also important to highlight when film makers portray inaccurate images of Ireland.

Neil Jordan’s The Crying Game not only challenges us to reflect on the current political and social questions that affect Irish society, it also an important influence in creating interpretations  and perceptions of what Ireland means for others. I believe The Crying Game encouraged me to reflect on how far Ireland has come in terms of the peace process and how kidnapping and murders by the I.R.A have vanished into history never to return. The film also provides us the viewer with an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come in terms of treating gay people as equal citizens. Similarly to The Crying Game, Felicia’s Journey also challenges us to reflect on the current political and social questions that affect Irish society. The book “social and cultural contexts of Felicia’s Journey”, introduces the idea that the X-Case of 1993 and the Kerry Babies case add a further social and historical dimension to the film. Where the two films differ on social and political issues, is some of the issue raised in The Crying Game are more relevant to Irish society today. This is a result of the progression Ireland has made in terms of the peace process and equal rights for gay people.

The author is in agreement with Anna Zaluczkowska from the University of Bolton when she said “when films that feature the issues of Northern Ireland and are not made by people from Northern Ireland they tend to lose their voice”. A similar point could be argued in relation to Irish film. However if these images of Ireland portrayed in film are somehow inaccurate, it is up to us as Irish Citizens to challenge this image, in an effort to ensure that Hollywood is not promoting incorrect images of Irish society throughout the world.