Screen Shot Analysis

CLOSER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDL8juJ5uBc

The movie I have chosen to analyze the screen shots of is called "Closer”. The movie is set in London and is a story of four strangers, their chance meetings, instant attractions and casual betrayals of infidelity and adultery.

The movie is begun with a slow song playing in the background corresponding with the slow motion movement of a female character walking amongst the extras in a wide shot. She is centered in between two shoulders , wearing a white and blue jacket in contrast to the dull black and grey jackets the extras are wearing making her stand out with a sense of importance within the screen shot.

Another wide shot is used, showing a male character walking amongst pedestrians , the same way the female character was introduced. A shot reverse shot is then used, suggesting that both characters have made eye contact as a point of view shot of both characters noticing each other.

As the characters are walking towards each other the camera shot of them turns into a mid shot view of both characters, allowing the viewer to observe their facial expressions more clearly giving them an insight in to what the character may be feeling or thinking, giving them a better understanding of the characters personality as well as their appearance. Here, the viewer is influenced to make a first impression on the character to prepare them of what to expect.

The woman is the run over by a car, as her attention was focused on the male and not the road. However the viewer does not witness this accident, but can assume this happened by the drastic change of the man’s facial expression and his quick reaction to run towards the camera whilst he is screened in a mid shot enabling us to see his body movement and facial expression at the same time. The screeching of a cars tire breaks and a woman’s scream is then heard. Here the dramatic audio is able to depict the scene in the viewer’s minds.


An Arial shot is then used to display the woman lying on the ground with people surrounding her. A close up of the males face is then shown as he bends down by her side looking down on her showing his facial expression of shock and devastation and the viewer can see him from her point of view, putting them in the same vulnerable position she is in so they are able to relate to the female character emotionally. Having watching the whole film from that moment on I had a feeling of sincerity towards this female character.

A close up is then used to view the man’s hand gently touching the woman’s shoulder to awaken her , a close up is also used to view her face turning to the side in his direction where she delivers her lines saying “hello stranger " here the viewer and the male character is assured that the woman is okay and also the viewer is now informed that both characters had not met before this event and now have an opportunity to get to know one another.