Flouting and Violating Gricean Maxims in Cinematic Discourse: A Qualitative Analysis of Red, White & Royal Blue

Abstract

Grounded in English discourse analysis, this qualitative study aims to describe conversational maxim non-observance in the speech of the characters of the movie Red, White & Royal Blue (2023). The study used the Cooperative Principle and pragmatic concepts to unveil pragmatic functions of maxim flouting and maxim violation. A descriptive research design was selected for the study, and a purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from multiple movie scripts. To achieve the objective of the study, several excerpts of the movie’s script were subjected to examination using conversational maxims. The qualitative study employed an expert validation method to verify results’ authenticity and reliability by engaging an English expert to evaluate if the responses align with the principles of the Cooperative Principle. The results revealed that both overt (mostly Manner, Relation, and Quality) and covert (primarily Quality) maxim non-observance are used in the movie to offer grounds for interpersonal communication in private and institutional arenas. The study also found that overt maxim violations and flouting of Manner, Quality, and Relation maxims are rampant in the conversations of characters engaging in banter or negotiating romantic feelings (e.g., exchanges between the Royal Family and the CIA agents). At the same time, covert maxim violations were attributed to characters involved in institutional interactions. The functions of maxim non-observance ranged from damage control, reputation management, and image restoration using cover stories. Overall, the findings demonstrate that fictional conversations depicted in the movie can be used to understand how people navigate their identities and institutional membership while engaging in interpersonal communication. Thus, the study concluded that the Cooperative Principle still applies to modern cinematography.