The Guvnors Textual Analysis

The opening to The Guvnors:

Key:
Camerawork
Mise En Scene
Editing
Soundtrack
Narrative Theory

Immediately when the scene starts we are greeted with an eery diegetic soundtrack from post production editing which consequently, introduces the scene as being very off key and ominous. In figure 1 we see two men one sitting and one standing. Using this performance we can develop a hierachy within the scene which is a powerful aspect as we are yet to be able to identify who either character is. In addition the use of camerawork via a high angle shot being used as the establishing shot allows us to be able to take in the setting and decor in the shot which also creates more enigma in relation to narrative theory and the story as a whole.

Once the scene starts an atmosphere is generated that emits fear and intensity via spectator response. The low key lighting, shown in figure 2, used can contrast to this topic. The low key lighting makes the setting have an almost decaying feeling as everything in the room has desaturated colouring which again makes the scene become more on edge and timid.

The costume used in this thriller opening have been used to intimidate the spectators at an early stage to make them keep watching. The black clothing on the 1st man sitting down makes him almost have no identity in addition, the lack of dialogue in the early stages of the opening generates more enigma.

The powerful tracking shot, shown in figure 3, when the man on the right passes a pistol to the 2nd man makes the scene escalate immensely as the use of the prop pistol being exhibited so suddenly generates fear amongst the spectators. In addition we can identify that the intensity within the shot has increased as we hear a crescendo again being inserted via post production editing which adds to the intensity of the tracking shot.

The dialogue that was exhibited is extremeley intimidating in contrast with both characters holding props that have bad connotations being a ciggarette and a pistol. In figure 4 we see them both stood up and the camera transitions from a high angle above the man sitting down to an eye line match of both men stood up in a wide angle medium shot. This implies that now the 2nd man has possesion of a gun he has now become a much more powerful prescense within the opening and back to a previous point he has moved up the hierachy so that he can face this other man.

Throughout the opening we can identify the camera angles becoming more and more focused on the characters facial expressions. Doing so we see the camera start at a medium long shot/2 shot, figure 5, then transition to a medium shot, figure 6, to a close up, figure 7, then cut to when a gun is put to the mans neck we see a big close up, figure 8, and finally with the addition of a second crescendo the camera transitions to an extreme close up. All of these techniques together have synergy with eachother to create a huge amount of intensity until final the opening ends and a cut to black is added to continue with the rest of the film.

This film has very effectively used narrative theory to manipulate the story in order to create enigma at an early stage in the film to get the spectators stuck into the storyline. Starting the film in a way that defies Todorov's theory and originating the film with recognition instead of a linear approach such as an equilibrium really intensifies the entire film by doing so leaving quires in every spectator.

Conclusion:

- I'd say the target audience for this thriller is 16-25 as it is quite a dark film in the sense that it is a realist thriller which creates fear from the spectators as the events exhibited in the film happen in real life.
- The techniques presented make for a great thriller and use cinematography extremely effectively to create different emotions from spectators.
- The film has manipulated narrative theory very well to generate enigma and leave everyone asking questions and want to unveil the identities of the two men.