Romance Opening Analysis: Silver Linings Playbook
In the opening sequence we are introduced to the
main character as this is usually done in a romance films. There is
non-diegetic sound of the dialogue from the protagonist however we can’t see
the character; this creates enigma for the audience, as the viewers are curious.
We are able to see the back of the man - it seems likes he's having a
conversation with someone but isn't shown by the camera which makes the
audience curious about whom he's speaking to. The shot zooms approach the
character slowly so the audience has more information about him. The love
theme introduced as dialogue suggests that he's having a relationship problem,
which gives the audience more info about the main protagonist and what he’s
going through. There is low-key light that suggests that he's vulnerable as
he's facing away from the camera and it could relate to his relationship
problems. He is then interrupted by a knock and a voice telling the character
that the doctor is waiting which tells us that he’s seeking help but he seems
stubborn and doesn’t immediately follow what the man says. Then the scene cuts
and we're shown the surrounding of the character, he seems to be seeking
professional help as it's affecting him mentally - the audience emphasizes with
him because some may relate to his situation or had similar relationship problems.
The scene cuts into a medium shot of the table
and the bed showing the protagonist perspective so he could be prepared before
seeing the doctor. The camera zooms into a paper on the wall with the word
"Excelsior" which means "higher" and "ever
upward" in Latin but in his situation this could means that he should have
courage because he will soon be able to get over his emotional roller-coaster.
Whilst the camera zooms toward the word there is a non-diegetic music that
sounds like a low pitched piano which gives it a mellow effect and the guitar
is added to build up the atmosphere. The scene cuts into an extreme close up of
his face and it pans around him then pauses into of his face - we are able to
see the characters face however he doesn't have any expression and looks rather
depressed. The character is now exposed to the viewer so they will have more
knowledge of the main character.
The camera moves away from him quickly so they
audience don’t get emotionally attached to him as we feel sorry for him. In the
next scene we can see his back view again as he runs down the stairs quickly then
there is a close up the hand - he grabs an item from someone then we see that
he's taking the medicine which treats his physical problems however soon after
he walks away and he spits out the medication which shows that he can't be
trusted as he does what he likes. The scene cut gradually moving into the
circle so the audience can hear what he has to say. The camera slowly pans
around the circle showing the people within the group allowing us to see that
he is interacting with others: he’s talking which shows that he's comfortable
around others. However the scene cuts which shows that he's exercising which
implies that he's improving himself and seems much happier and focused alone,
this is shown from the non-diegetic sound in the background. Then he is soon
interrupted by a woman who standing there waiting for his attention, the music
fades out to suggest that he isn’t happy about being disturbed. The camera turn
into a high angle shot to suggest that she’s an important character because she
looks down on him.
The woman takes him with her and she seems to be having a
conversation about him - the protagonist looks like a child when he follows
her. There is a close up on the form to emphasize the he is being discharged
from the hospital and she is in taking caring of him which informs the audience
that it’s his mother. In the next scene a medium shot is used so we can see his
rigid body language when he enters the car and his mother talks to him. However
his expression soon changes when a man enters the car, he looks happier and
relaxed, turning his body to face the man and begins to have a conversation.
No comments:
Post a Comment