The effect of the VoiceOver/monologue on audience

By watching the film "Love Actually", which includes a voice over in the opening, we discovered that:

• Makes the audience feel connected to the film/character talking
• Creates imagery
• Creates/presents the talker thoughts and feelings clearly to the audience
• The audience can relate to the character
• The audience wants to know/ find out more about the character speaking
• The audience immediately draws conclusions about that character, whether they like them, whether they relate to the character etc.
• Draws the audience into the film and engages them in the action.

These all make voice overs a successful element to film openings, as they draw the audience in, creating interest, and creates enigma.