The Usual Suspects - Analysis

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Analysis… The Usual Suspects.

Transcript of The Usual Suspects - Analysis

Page 1: The Usual Suspects - Analysis

Analysis…The Usual Suspects.

Page 2: The Usual Suspects - Analysis

In the opening sequence of The Usual Suspects, it foreshadows that the mood and atmosphere of the film will be creepy. This is done through the music as well as mise-en-scene and camera work. There is a wide pan across the water with music in the background. The music is sinister and is used to sustain the peculiar atmosphere.

Wide pan shot used here.

Camera work is used effectively to emphasise the genre of the film. Also, there is a range of camera shots and angles used in the opening sequence, possibly done to add to the overall sense of the mystery.

Page 3: The Usual Suspects - Analysis

Whilst watching The Usual Suspects opening sequence it made me, as the audience ask questions, which is what thriller opening sequences aim to do. Whilst watching the opening sequence, immediately it made me ask “Where are we? Why are we shown water? Who is the guy that is lying dead? What happened here? Who is the mystery man? Why does he kill him? and why is he calm when there is a gun in his face?”

Where are we?Why is there water? Who is

this mystery man?

Who are these dead people?

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The opening sequence gives clues to the audience to what the narrative will be about. For example as there is a murder that just happened right at the beginning, the audience will have some idea that there will be killing involved. Also, as we don’t see the murderer (antagonist), the narrative might be to find the suspect. The opening sequence also identifies some themes that will be explored in the rest of the film. The themes that are shown are, crime (murder) and violence .

Sound: The music in the opening sequence is slow and dreary which creates suspense, which emphasises the genre.

Dialogue: There is very little used, which is typical to a thriller opening sequence. However, we do hear some dialogue, for example the dialogue from the mystery man, has a rough, hard tone to his voice. This adds to genre of the film being a thriller, which creates suspense and makes the audience anxious.