Film Ma Thesis
| Chapter three – research
In this chapter, the study case films will be research through the genre analysis methodology as explained in the previous chapter. Both categorisation and exchange approach will be applied in attempt to provide an integral analysis which would lead to particular outcomes and findings to be discussed. Genre analysis considers subjective interpretation of film elements and is largely based on categorisation and description. What follows is an analysis of principal elements, mise-en-scene, iconography and narrative elements of sample films. The order of films analysed is established according to date of release. 3. 1 Miami Vice (2006) by Michael Mann "When you live on both sides of the law...How far is too far? How close is too close?" Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) are cops who, in order to bring down the Colombian drug cartel, get undercover identities and operate as dealers. At the beginning, FBI informant calls Sonny and apologizes for exposing some of their colleagues. FBI engages Crockett and Tubbs to infiltrate the organisation of Jesus Montoya (Luis Tosar). The undercover mission enables them to gain an insight into cartel's business on the daily bases. In the meanwhile, Crockett falls for the charm of Isabella (Gong Li), Montoya's right hand, and engages into one rather tricky affair. Montoya's head of security, Jose Yero (John Ortiz), becomes jealous in such an extent that he decides to inform Montoya about their love affair. The list of principal elements as suggested by Hansen et al. (1998) a) Technical elements Camera shots: Close-ups and extreme close-ups of protagonists surrounded by ocean and sky are trademark of Mann's opus. Framing
This illustration represents one of the most typical framings of Mann. The character is in the working room/bedroom (the profession is usually the main characteristic of Mann's characters, so the private and professional life are inseparable, and intrude of private life into a professional one would present a threat), and through the window we see an exotic sight unreachable for the character. Lighting: High key is used for high stylisation. |
b) Symbolic elements
Costume and objects: Costumes are stylised and recall the age of classic Hollywood and the work of some European authors that influenced on Michael Mann, like Jean Pierre Melvill. Characters are defined through costumes that emphasise their devotion to their profession as their only identity. On the other hand these clothes denote a kind of infantile fascination with the look. This category includes fast cars, boats, and private jets. The world of drug smuggling is globalised like a global economy and there are no limits. In that sense, the intimate adventure is not settled on the Cuba by coincidence. Sound: Miami Vice is full of loud action. With the falling of the sound, Mann however, provide kind of poetic moments. Mise-en-scene
Mann's sensibility in finding poetic, intimate moments in a violent ambient is most evident in this frame. Sonny is facing the ocean. The ocean, denoting freedom, is however, unreachable for Sonny, and the only thing he might have is the image like this frame. Mann puts the window in front of the Sonny, thus positioning him in a kind of "aquarium". In almost every Mann's film it is possible to find a similar frame that presents contemplation and yearning. Iconography applied to Buscomb's (1970) table: |
