To start, this shot is one of a medium shot of Tom Cruise's character. However, at the same time, it is a medium-long shot of the woman behind him and the environment that they are both in. This allows for the focus to remain on Anderton's face and his expressions, while not losing the physicality and minor reactions of the older woman in the background.
The background was something that told a lot about what was happening within the scene at the time. During this moment, Anderton is dealing with a venomous vine that is effecting him while he is trying to learn about the Precogs from this woman. The plants, a prop, and the greenhouse, the setting, constantly remind us that the vine is a constant pressure along with the problem at hand, raising the tension.
These pieces in the scene are highlighted with what seems to be a natural lighting of a foggy or cloudy day in mid morning. The inferences that can be made from the weather can easily reflect the feeling of the situation. As we all know, movies constantly use weather to reflect a scene, like when it rains during the climax of the film (i.e. The Lion King when [SPOILER] Simba kills Scar). This is equally being done here with confusing in our protagonist that is symbolized by cloudiness both in his mind and in the sky.
This kind of analysis can be done to every shot of this movie. Spielberg puts a lot of time and thought into every angle and camera movie within Minority Report and there is more within it than most people would ever expect.
And if you've made it this far than you have hopefully read the entire thing. If so, Kudos! Keep up the quality work.
Drew: where's the image? Make sure you upload it and then let me know so I can stop by and check it later.
ReplyDeleteI like your opening! I agree with what you were saying about the setting, fog and clouds are good to use when you want to set the mood of confusion. And here in this scene John is very confused because he is finding out all this new information about pre crime and the precogs.
ReplyDeleteSimba kills Scar? WHAT!!???
ReplyDeleteAnyway, nice post, Drew. I like your analysis of the poisonous vine -- interesting comment.
Here are some suggestions: 1 - say more about the posture of Dr. Hineman in the background. There's some work to be done there. 2 - Get to your analysis sooner in your post. You have some build up in the opening paragraph that isn't necessary. Yes, you should hook your reader, but "hook" them and then get to the analysis sooner.