Blog Film Analysis Option 1

“Gravity” (2013), is a contemporary drama, sci-fi, thriller which contains strong themes of isolation, survival and rebirth. The film is about two astronauts, played by academy award winners, who endeavour on a mission to repair a space shuttle when disaster strikes. “Gravity” is a high concept film distributed by Warner Bros. with a budget of $100 million, grossing roughly $715 million on 3,820 theatres internationally. The production greatly relied on technological inventions, extensive rigging and visual effects, taking the film to new lengths (Rich and Eisenberg 2014). The immense production size of “Gravity” does not overwhelm the viewer purely through spectacle but assists the storyline through convincing character development. The hype surrounding the film’s production however, was marketed around the elaborate visual effects used. 

Emma Jones (2013) communicates the idea that Bullock’s character is introduced as being slightly emotionally troubled. This is demonstrated by the contrast between her mechanical actions and Kowalski’s free roaming movements. Dr. Ryan Stone is also shot in a persistent framing style consisting of medium wide, mid and medium close-up shots during the films first scene. This denotes her apprehensive, stubborn emotional state and inexperienced status as the tightness of the frame is reluctant to widen. Stone’s determination is the force which helps her overcome the conflicting mental state she experiences, driving the narrative forward. Her character’s attachment and commitment is constructed by the décor of the white space suit with the corresponding colour of the shuttle she is linked to. 

The following scene gives great insight into how cinematography and mise-en-scene develop character and storyline.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hicyeRsMcQ0

The composition in this scene is primarily created from the long take, point of view shot from Bullock’s character. This gives the viewer a greater perspective of her emotional position. The reflection of the space helmet is seen in the immediate foreground further reinforcing her personal, reflective state of mind. The earth’s size on screen remains the same in the background with Shariffs’ body seen in an extreme long shot which gradually appears larger in frame. The perspective change creates a dooming sense of isolation we are positioned to experience. Common hand held camera jerks and changing focus depths from Stone’s point of view denotes her inability to keep calm. The lack of still cinematography throughout the films entirety further represents the relentless and uncontrollable motions her character experiences in space. These techniques cause the audience to feel empathetic for Stone. The enforcement of Stone’s determination proves effective as this emotion, instilled in the audience, provides the expectation of conflict resolution; she uses her determination to overcome the physical and mental challenges ahead.

“127 Hours” (2010) is another Hollywood film with a tight budget of $18 million, grossing roughly $60 million at a comparably small 916 theatres worldwide. It is an adaptation of a real life adventure, drama story about Aron Ralston (James Franco) who is made to cut off his arm after being trapped by a boulder for five days in a remote canyon location. Despite being a smaller scale production than “Gravity”, “127 Hours” contains the same themes of survival, isolation and being trapped in an unforgiving environment. Different cinematographic techniques however, are used to achieve this effect. A great triumphant feeling is experienced at the end of the film both by Aron and the audience through the use of the split screen effect. A greater amount of information is able to be communicated because of this.

This split screen device is used during the introduction which displays a montage of people moving in a rush, racing to be somewhere. Aron’s swift movements show that he too is in a rush, foregoing virtues of precaution, patience and family acknowledgment. An extreme close-up of a tap left dripping during the beginning of the film also reflects his careless attitude. Sub-themes of travel and the freedom of movement are put onto the viewer through wider framed shots of a marathon running event, people walking in the streets and cars driving along the highway. These cinematographic and visual techniques, along with accompanying sound and editing devices, are used to establish an emotional engagement with the audience and Aron Ralston’s character and mindset. Throughout the film he records himself with a poor quality, grainy home owned camcorder. He does this on the way to the canyon which creates the first sense of realism about his endeavours. The smooth, vast, mountainous scenery of the canyon upon Aron’s arrival is composed using extreme wide shots with a warm, golden tint. This denotes a calmness, serenity and gentleness about the environment’s condition. All of this provided information the filmmaker positions the audience to accept creates an emotional engagement with the film and its story.

Similarly to “Gravity”, the theme of isolation is represented by the change in environmental setup, from beautiful to relentless. Unlike “Gravity” however, the cinematographic techniques used to achieve this vary quite significantly. Aron’s character development evolves when he becomes trapped in the canyon. The use of stills conveys a notion of motionless and entrapment which is in contrary to the opening sequence’s emphasis on movement. This advances the story as he is forced to embrace unfamiliar characteristics of patience, precaution and attentiveness in order to survive. The triumph of his predicament is the hinge on which the story lies. The use of extreme high and low angles furthers the emotional conflict as the feeling of helplessness is conveyed to the audience.

“12 Angry Men” (1957) is a drama film set in a jury-room and is directly relevant to the socio-economical events of the United States during the 1950’s (Boulanger-Mashberg, Anica 2010, 6). Boulanger-Mashberg (2010, 6) reveals that political and social conflict was rising at the time because of the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. Significant themes of the time include justice, class and moral ambiguity which are instilled in the audience. Mise-en-scene is a major propellant of the storyline as seen through location, set design, character movement and costuming.

The linear, real-time temporal order of the film is stressed as they are stuck in the same room for an hour and a half. Setting similarities are present in both “Gravity” and “127 Hours” as the location remains the same for the majority of the film, creating a sense of entrapment. The feeling of entrapment is emphasised by the character movements of the men in the room. Whenever someone is making a point or is in disagreement with someone else they get up and walk around. 

This creates action for the purpose of change and conflict. Their actions are in result of the conflicting personalities amongst the other men, as communicated by the narrative. Such tension is reinforced by the visual height difference, created by the positioning of sitting and standing characters, adding to the theme of justice.

The driving conflict of the film’s storyline is further illustrated by subtle costuming choices and alterations by the filmmaker. The hot temperature in the room is represented by the sweat on the faces of the men and is illuminated by the subtle use of chiaroscuro lighting. Eleven out of the twelve men end up taking off their jackets because of the sheer heat of the day. By looking deeper into this action it can be analysed that the rising uncomfortableness of their suits, due to the weather, is a metaphor for the growing confinement created by their seemingly unsolvable situation. A comparison can be made between the similarities in costuming in “12 Angry Men” and “Gravity” in terms of the tension created.

The three films discussed have varying production contexts which impact on how they are interpreted. Elements of cinematography and mise-en-scene are manipulated in order to express themes which are quite similar throughout "Gravity", "127 Hours" and "12 Angry Men". There are similarities and differences between these films in regards to the way the elements represent the themes.


Reference List

Boulanger-Mashberg, Anica. 2010. “Insight Text Guide.” Twelve Angry Men edited by Anica Boulanger-Mashberg, 1-6. Elsternwick: Insight Publications.

Jones, Emma. 2013. “Clooney, Bullock: Loneliness and laughs filming Gravity.” Accessed April 6, 2014. http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24853198.

Rich, Katey and Eric Eisenberg. 2013 “How Did Gravity Do That? The Secrets Behind Its Groundbreaking Special Effects.” Accessed April 6, 2014. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/How-Did-Gravity-Do-Secrets-Behind-Its-Groundbreaking-Special-Effects-39790.html.