Naomi's 'Usual Suspects' analysis

Usual Suspects

 

During the opening of Usual Suspects, there are many different techniques of MES that help to create the visual style of a thriller. We see a person light up a whole box of matches, smoke a cigarette and drop the matches onto a line of petrol.

The camera work is used to create restricted narration, this is done be blocking and camera positioning that hides the main antagonists face and identity therefore creating suspense and enigma, which is crucial for thriller genre. Another example of when camera work helps to create mystery is the use of extreme close ups which narrows what the spectator can see once again creating restricted narration.

 

 

Enigma is created by the use of lighting; this is through low key lighting which only reveals parts of the characters identity and the location they are in. The lighting is also used to create silhouettes of the main antagonists thus hiding his identity. The use of the lack of light is also helpful in this clip to create mystery and suspense due to the fact it can create fear and hide parts of the frame from the spectator which creates suspense and restricted narration. His only lines are 'How are you doing, kid?', 'Ready?', and '12:30'.

The characters costumes in this opening scene follow the iconography and the conventions of the thriller genre, this is because if the antagonists dark restrictive clothing such as his hat and coat, which help to hide his identity as well as making it clear to the spectator that this is a thriller film. The props used by the characters also helps to reflect a thriller genre, the use of the gun is typical for thrillers and in this scene it is shown in a close up which hides the character holding the gun and focusing our attention on the weapon.