Doc Martin - Textual Analysis

This extract, from Doc Martin, presents representations of Regional Identity. It portrays both the Cornish and the Londoners in a stereotyped manner, with the Cornish being backward, uneducated, rambling fools with menial jobs but relaxed and the Londoners being more sensible, intelligent and well-spoken with better jobs, yet very stressed.

Camera Work:

During the opening scene, close-up shots of the character of Doc Martin are used between the wide shots of the room, to emphasise the stress for him of how backwards Cornish life is. Later on, whilst in the town, tracking shots are used to establish the town, showing how dull and boring it is. During these shots, Doc Martin is mostly in the centre of the frame, showing how he is trapped in this frustrating life, which he does not fit with due to being a city-goer.

Sound:

During the opening scene, a mixture of diegetic sounds are played, including barking, phone ringing, water spraying and tools clanging. This concoction of sounds is used to add to the stress of the situation for the audience, to mimic Martin's stress and frustration at the backwardness of the Cornish life. Whilst exploring the town, non-diegetic music is played, which is very slow and simple, mimicking the Cornish stereotype that they are slow and simple. The music is suddenly interrupted when Martin enters the police station by the loud diegetic sound of a vacuum cleaner, which both portrays a stereotyped sense of obliviousness for the Cornish, whilst also adding to the stress and frustration of Martin at the Cornish lifestyle.

Editing:

In the opening scene, lots of quick cuts are used, making the editing fast-paced, which further portrays Martin's stress and frustration at the Cornish lifestyle. The editing during to the exploration of the town is slow, soft and used sparingly, mimicking the Cornish stereotype.

Mise-en-Scene:

The room in the opening scene as well as the houses and town outside are all painted in dull colours like white, cream, grey or brown, showing the boringness of Cornish life. Martin wears a suit in the extract, showing his classiness, which is a key part of the stereotype of a Londoner, whilst also showing that he does not belong with these people. Contrastingly, the other characters, who are all Cornish, are wearing more casual clothes, showing their stereotyped lack of classiness, or attire associated with menial work, portraying the stereotype that they all do menial labour. The Cornish characters also usually have make-up that makes them look messy or dirty, further adding to this same stereotype.