The first generally leaves a lasting impression within a viewer's mind because it sets up what the film will be about. It is meant to draw it's audience in - this scene draws it's viewer's in with confusion. The viewer is automatically invested in what this character has to say because it will hopefully reveal why he is there in the first place. This sets up the idea that although dialogue is important to a scene, techniques like the lighting and camera angles can also reveal many untold characteristics. The camera mainly stays still, focusing on Brando. It doesn't move around the room because that is not important, what the viewer must focus on is this character and his story. The only time the camera moves is halfway through the scene, to go in closer on Brando's face. The camera movement acknowledges a shift, in this instance the zoom can imply the thing he is talking about holds importance.
In the scene above during Valentine's speech, artificial light highlights part of his face, focusing on his eyes. It is evident that this is not natural lighting because dark outside, but the director opts to cast a spotlight on Brando, this could be to reveal the inner workings of the character. He delivers a long monologue comparing himself to a bird that spends its whole life flying because it is incapable of landing, climaxing with his description of how the bird stretches out its wings to sleep on the wind. Director Sidney Lumet said in an interview, Because Tennessee insisted that in crafting our salvation, we are also accepting our deaths and, in a way, inviting it. [---] The ultimate drama, Tennessee told me, occurs in the human soul." Because the film is black and white, the viewer could get lost within the monotone color, and a bright light could indicate to the viewer the importance of this scene; we often see a change in lighting when an important plot point is revealed. This scene is a wonderful example about how film techniques reveal underlying themes that the movie is based on.
1 Comment
Rayhaan Rahman
2/20/2018 12:27:15 pm
I enjoyed reading your post about The Fugitive because you pointed out some key points in the movie, and a couple I missed to acknowledge the importance of as well. I sort of looked over the court scene and did not realize that the judge was left out of the camera for a reason. Doing so allowed the audience to really see the character of Val. I was also intrigued that you noticed such small details in a black and white movie like how the lighting was done and still had an influence on the viewers even though it was black and white. I did not catch that, but you did a tremendous job elaborating on how you felt on that moment. It really allowed me to reimagine the scene in my head without even having to watch the youtube clip you posted. I also think you did a thorough job with the quotes you placed throughout the movie and how you gave your opinion on someone else's thoughts while agreeing and breaking it down deeper at the same time.
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