Plot
Based on the true story of Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker, two close friends who share a love of fantasy and literature, who conspire to kill Pauline's mother when she tries to end the girls' intense and obsessive relationship.
Sound
During the film a song named 'Humming Chorus' is played throughout. This is, potentially, an inter-textual reference to the opera Madama Butterfly as, like the friendsare planned to be separated, Butterfly waits for her husband to be returned to her, however, she is shocked and devistated that he has returned with his new American wife. He then decides to abandon Buttferfly and take her son with him. The song almost contradicts the motion as the soundtrack can be described as very calm and relaxed. However, the action in both Madama Butterfly and Heavenly creatures is very traumatizing, dramatic and upsetting. The Madama Butterfly opera was very successful and admired globally, it was also interpreted in slightly different styles.
Camera Angles
Wide use of close up, showing the tension and making the girl's anxious breathing louder to place the audience in their shoes and to feel the suspense and build up of mixed emotions. Also, a close up of the bag when Pauline rushes to open the bag immediately, creating more suspense. The low angles shots of the mother in pain on the floor indicates how weak she now is because the two girls have full control and power over her with the weapon. 
This is also shown when the low angle shots are looking up at Juliet from the Mother's perceptive and it determines a threatening and powerful shot of the daughter.
Not only does this close up shot build the suspense when Pauline rushes to get the weapon out her bag but it shows a very clear rule of thirds. This indicates Juliet in the back looking anxiously at what is about to happen, the mother who doesn't realise what she is getting herself into and Pauline, preparing to attack. It is almost in order as to what will happen i.e Pauline will get the weapon out, hit the mother and the Juliet will join in. This order can be shown in this one shot.
Some satisfactory analysis here re camera angles and composition, particularly perspective. The end of the film is particularly important re film language. Meaning is amplified through image, soundtrack and diegetic sound, not through dialogue. And this is the strength of the film and an example of Peter Jackson's skill as a visual story teller.
ReplyDeleteYou may wish to revise aspects of the post as advised above.
Areas to revise:
Note:
Madam Butterfly waits for her husband to return during the Humming Chorus. At the end of the opera he returns with his new American wife having disregarded the Japanese ceremony when he marries Butterfly some years earlier. He abandons Butterfly and takes her son, Butterfly kills herself as a matter of honour in the traditional way of the Samuri.
Pauline and Juliet in Heavenly Creatures are not sisters but friends. You must research aspects of a film or other texts before posting your analysis in order to avoid inaccuracies.
I have researched further and adjusted my post.
ReplyDeleteAnna could you file all your research under Label G321 Thriller Research. This includes your case study on Heavenly Creatures and Once Upon a Time in America. Check you have filed all your work correctly otherwise you will lose marks and won't see your work!!! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI have already filed this G321 Thriller Research and the same with Once Upon a Time in America.
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