The Perfect Guy

Everyone is not who they appear to be. In the movie trailer for "The Perfect Guy," we learn some people are like onions, and must be peeled back a layer at a time.  Our story begins with Leah Vaughn, a successful business woman in her late thirties living in Los Angeles, California. On the outside you would think he life is amazing. She is gorgeous with a great job, beautiful home, and a devoted boyfriend of two years, Dave. The only problem is Leah's biological clock is ticking and she is ready to settle own and start a family (0:07) After hearing the man she loves tell her he is not ready for marriage and children, she breaks up with him and finds herself sad and alone. However, one night while she's out on the town, she meets a handsome gentleman that rescues her from a moment of disaster... (0:20) 

He introduces himself as Carter and appears to be charming, subtle, and sweet. (0:25) Falling into the hero affect, Leah falls madly in love with Carter within a few months’ time. She begins to feel lucky to have someone that cherishes her and provides for her in ways that Dave could not, Carter even bonds with her father and treats her friends with nothing less than respect and gratitude. However, Leah gets too comfortable with Carter and begins to see the truth... (1:08) After learning about Carter's violent streak, Leah decides to end the relationship, but Carter refuses to let it end. (1:20) He begins, harassing and stalking Leah. (1:25)To make matters worse, Dave has come back into Leah's life and we are now looking at a love triangle. (1:27-1:30) Now Leah must fight for her safety due to the fatal attraction of the onion she did not carefully peel. 

After engaging with the trailer, I have gained a glimpse of the writer’s motives. According to “Silva Rhetoricae”, the author/speaker should have an intent. (Burton) Alan McElroy’s intent was not to persuade, attack, defend, or blame. His intent was to delight the audience, to teach them. The delight was given through temptation, sexual interest, and real life issues. The lesson was one that has been taught time and time again, “Never judge a book by its cover.” The intended audience is infinite. (Burton) The age ranges vary and the movie is gender neutral. Since the movie is a thriller it appeals to drama, horror, and mystery, and action. Lastly, “Silva Rhetoricae” asks does the writer’s message fulfill his intentions. (Burton) I would say yes because, the author has used a generic moral and has added twists to his story to appeal to today’s generation.

According to Texas A&M, McElroy’s appeal the audience is pathos. (University Writing Center)He had not used logic or credibility to make his claims. He reached for the audience’s attention and kept it with love, lust, suspense, and danger. All different phrases that are commonly intertwined to master the world of cinema. By abiding by the classic rules of rhetoric, McElroy falls in line with the instruction given in Compose, Design, and Advocate. His story has a purpose, an audience, and a context surrounding the plot. He made careful decisions in choices of actors, location, and chemistry, and still found time to let the audience enjoy the intricacies of cinema. (Wysocki) The Perfect Guy seems to be the perfect movie.

Burton, Gideon, Dr. "Basic Questions for Rhetorical Analysis." Basic Questions for Rhetorical Analysis. Silva Rhetoricae, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. <http://rhetoric.byu.edu/pedagogy/rhetorical%20analysis%20heuristic.htm>.

"The Perfect Guy." IMDb. IMDb.com, 11 Sept. 2015. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3862750/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt>.

"University Writing Center - Rhetorical Analysis." University Writing Center - Rhetorical Analysis. Texas A&M University, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. <http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/Handouts-Guides/Guides-(What-Are-You-Writing-)/Academic-Writing/Analysis/Rhetorical-Analysis>.

Wysocki, Anne Frances, and Dennis A. Lynch. "Chapter 9/Steps For Rhetorical Analysis." Compose, Design, Advocate: A Rhetoric for Integrating Written, Visual, and Oral Communication. 2nd ed. New York: Longman, 2007. 316-29. Print.