The Shooting of Beaumont - Jackie Brown Analysis (3:40 – 7:43)
The start of the shooting of Beaumont opens with a fantastic shot, from inside the trunk of Robbie’s car. This is a representation of a small, confined and claustrophobic space, which represents danger and vulnerability. The low angle shows dominance and authority, suggesting that the characters are powerful and controlling. This shot is also shown in several Quentin Tarantino films such as Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs.
Beaumont is then locked in this, small, confined and claustrophobic space; he has no way of escape, which makes him incredibly vulnerable. It then cuts to a shot of Ordell inside the car, putting on black gloves. The black symbolises death, which gives this part a foreshadowing effect, as if death is soon arriving. Ordell then gets a gun out of the glove compartment, as he readies it; he looks as though he has been waiting for this moment for a while. As he drives off we see the surrounding scenery, of the setting of the murder. The panning shot shows the wet, dirty and dark streets in which the murder will take place. The camera tracks the car as it moves from the street to the open field. The buildings surrounding the car are an example of low key lighting, to add to the suspense of the clip. The killing takes place rather quickly. Because of the low key lighting the audience is left to imagine exactly how the murder happened. But leaves the question of why Ordell decided to kill Beaumont.
I like the way you have made inter textual references to the way Tarantino uses low angle point of view shots in his other films. You needed to explain what the long distance shot of Beaumont's murder gives a clue to Ordell's character. You could have developed your ideas a little more here.
Target: When constructing an analysis you need to make it clear that you understand the way a director utilises specific generic conventions, for example lighting, locations, props. In this sequence the film's generic blue print is explicit.
Well done Joe for making a start on analysing the way directors establish character in thriller films.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you have made inter textual references to the way Tarantino uses low angle point of view shots in his other films. You needed to explain what the long distance shot of Beaumont's murder gives a clue to Ordell's character. You could have developed your ideas a little more here.
ReplyDeleteTarget: When constructing an analysis you need to make it clear that you understand the way a director utilises specific generic conventions, for example lighting, locations, props. In this sequence the film's generic blue print is explicit.