16 March 2020
Media Studies
Thriller Analysis - The Bourne Identity
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The Bourne Identity:
A sense of Bourne moving further away from his past is portrayed in the extract from the Bourne Identity film. This is symbolised by the various methods of transport throughout this clip, such as the train and the ships, which are all literally physical methods of moving from one place to another. There is a clear sense of Bourne, although still moving forward into the future, continually looking back at his past as if he is trying to remember it, confused and lost. This parallels to the overall theme of identity and not knowing who one is, as well as the themes of sudden new beginnings to life, a sense of being lost and confused all portrayed in the film. Examples of moments resembling Borne "looking backward at his past” in this clip are firstly, the mid-shot of Borne looking out over the train station, the blue hues of lighting in the background clearly evident, and secondly, the mid-shot of Borne looking back toward the blue street lights (artificial lights) in the background. In this case, the music (sound) fades away from a quiet and gentle tone, and the snow symbolises (mise-en-scene) a fresh clean slate. This scene is symbolic in representing the fact that Borne is standing in all this 'newness' and yet is looking back trying to clarify who he actually is and where he actually belongs which emphasises the strangeness of him being unsure of his own identity, relating to the theme of identity. Both shots, along with many others in the film, reveal powerful iconography in the form of symbolic colours. The colour blue (the colour of the lights in both the backgrounds) represents Bourne's past and the colour red his future, throughout the film. Bourne's main piece of clothing (costume) in this extract is a large, red puffer jacket which symbolises him entering into the new phase of his life, being re'Borne'. The fact that the red jacket covers and conceals his body parallels to the fact that his past is covered, concealed and 'unknown' to both him and the viewer.
The names of both the main character and the actual film including the word 'Bourne' relate to the theme of new identity. According to Google, to be 'born' means to be a "result of birth". The title itself implies that Jason Bourne has been reborn and has entered a new season and new way of life, his past forgotten (quite literally). This theme is consolidated by Bourne's repetition of "I don't know who I am" in other parts of the film.
Stuart Hall developed the theory relating to media representations. Representation has always traditionally been how the media represents reality and how accurate that media is compared to reality. However, Hall's theory stated that there is actually no fixed meaning to the media or to reality.
Hall stated that media representations are not reflections of things that already have meaning, but are rather the meaning makers of that which happens in reality. Stuart Hall also encouraged one to look closely at the media to identify its relation to stereotypes, carefully considering who made the media and why, as well as how the specific media being looked at supports or contradicts the numerous stereotypes. In this clip, and the entire film, Borne is represented as being a typical white-American man. In this extract, he is relatively calm and collected, generally handling stressful and aggressive moments of physical conflict successfully with his fast reflexes, determination in action-heavy snippets and relatively calm demeanour... all despite his inner battle of trying to work out his identity. His being depicted as being a 'lean and mean fighting machine' supports the typical stereotype of men being valiant, strong and physically able. However, it's as if the director wishes to prove that although men may appear all powerful and unfazed to others outwardly, they may actually be battling internally, just as Borne struggled the battle of an unknown identity and past yet still didn't allow it to affect his outward successes. Bourne's more stable outward character and ability to handle situations more effectively is later contrasted to the female character, who, loyal to the typical stereotypes of women, is depicted as being very emotional and needing of support initially.
Following the fade from black (editing), the opening establishing shot (camera work) of the harbour instantly sets the scene for the viewer... The almost over-the-shoulder track shot (camera work) of Bourne approaching the street and setting off on a walk furthermore allows the viewer to see where Bourne is located (mise-en-scene), from his own perspective, personalising his character and siding the viewer, sub-conscientiously, to him. Visible in a shot of the location is a seagull; a typical representation of the sea/ocean areas. The location of the harbour links back to the aforementioned point of the transport methods symbolising Bourne's progressing further away from his past. The sea is a large body of water, filled with depths of unknown creatures and animals. Similarly, Borne's past is still uncertain.
Another theme clearly communicated throughout the entire film is the theme of good verses evil, hero verses the 'bad guy', involving action and aggression, as well as the theme of one's history/past catching up with you. Both of these themes are clearly evident in the scene where Bourne peacefully rests on the park bench, snow quietly sprinkling over him, when two policemen, speaking a foreign language, begin shaking him to wake him up (miss-en-scene). It's as if the scenes and shots leading up to this point represented his journey toward the future, and this moment represents Bourne's past catching up to him, catching him by surprise. Borne's confused and worried reaction in his facial expressions, revealed by the close-up shot of his face, highlight his feeling misplaced and confused, both by his sudden awakening, and regarding to his past and who he was/is. The close-up shots also reveal the sense of him being desperate for an opportunity to rest from his constant internal questioning. His being asleep on a park bench raises the question of him perhaps being homeless, paralleling to the theme of being lost. This may cause the viewers to feel a sense of sympathy for Borne, and even more so, cause the viewers to question his identity themselves. Questioning may encourage discomfort and worry; typical conventions of a thriller. The shot-reverse-shot (camera work) of the interaction between Bourne and the policemen establishes a relationship between the two, and sparks further question as to whether Bourne is the 'bad guy', as mentioned above, or not.
The policemen are clothed in typical policemen gear (costumes), with their clothing appearing relatively protective and typical items (props) such as gloves and torches in hand, and batons attached to their belts etc. The lack of any non-diegetic sound/music in this scene where all that can be heard is the sound their voices and their footsteps, highlights their foreign language. The silence, lack of sound, and foreign language encourage doubt and worry within the viewer who may begin to wonder how trustworthy they are... The fact that the policemen soon end up knocked out and sprawled across the floor is a contradiction to the usual stereotype of policemen being armed and protected, worthy of total respect and fear. Perhaps they are actually the 'bad guys', Bourne the 'hero'. However, the high-angle shot of the policemen looking down on Bourne and the low-angle shot (camera angles) of him looking at them, suggest that perhaps the policemen are superior to Bourne, and more noble than what he is... meaning that he is perhaps in the wrong.
Borne's ability to speak the foreign language in response, as well as his being able to knock not one, but two policemen out, portrays him, once again, as being almost super-human. This links back to the typical stereotype of men being powerful and valiant. Once again, one questions who is actually in the wrong...
The close-up shot (camera work) of Bourne's face/reaction upon awakening to the police, followed by his instinctive response of aggression, grabbing the gun (which reveals his fast reflexes) and knocking both of the policemen out, suggests that Bourne may be returning to his old ways, causing him to retaliate to the policemen. This appears to be worrying him, depicted by his stressed facial expressions which links to the earlier shot of Bourne looking at his reflection in the train window (mise-en-scene). Mirrors and reflections resemble self-evaluation... its as if all throughout, Bourne is evaluating his character, his past, and even his future to come... almost as if he is overthinking, which once again links back to the scene where he appears to be in desperate need of a moment to rest.
In the final scene of the clip, Bourne throws off his red jackets whilst running away from the fight scene. The dropping the jacket is symbolic of him trying to drop the regret and pressure he feels from trying to figure out his future through establishing his past. This, along with the earlier shot of him looking at the gun in his hand, could be described as representing his regret of mimicking acts and deeds that he would've done in his past which also encourages the question of him perhaps returning to his old ways...?
During the fight scene, the hand-held camera moves around to quite large extent, then proceeding to track Bourne as he runs away. The unstable movement of the camera relates to the building tension, in a way providing a feel as to what it would feel/look like to be involved in the fight. This gives the viewers a further appreciation for Bourne's skill in his ability to defend himself against two armed policemen. This is in complete contrast to the peace he felt before as he slept on the bench, and the contrast is effective in building suspense.
Effect has been created through both editing and sound. As mentioned above, the very first shot of this clip begins with a fade from black transition. This transition is effective in instantly building an eerie atmosphere, typical of a thriller film. Continuity editing has been used to create a clear sense of logical, ordered events, transitioning from the harbour, to the train station and then the park, just as time passes from day to night. Additionally, the cuts and transitions between shots are of a relative pace, not detracting from the visuals. This allows the viewer to focus on what is being spiced and revealed in the plot, rather than question or be interrupted by the various special transitions. The blue lights, as mentioned before, are a form of artificial light.
In the shot where Bourne walks further along the street, a visual effect (editing) has been used to make him simply disappear as the small blue truck crosses the camera. Bourne's disappearing is rather strange and unrealistic, emphasising the eerie and questionable atmosphere generated. It seems slightly out-of-the-blue and unexpected which excites the viewer and maintains their interest. This is another effect generated through editing.
Finally, the creative use of sound throughout the film has also created effect. Early in the clip, the sound effects of the train passing/moving mimics the fact that time is moving forward, referring back to the references to the past and future. The relatively loud, bustling and almost intimidating non-diegetic music, along with the loud diegetic sound of the engine of the blue car which crosses Bourne as he walks along the road, along with the eerie undertone (created using a piano) at the the beginning of the clip parallel to Bourne's perhaps loud and aggressive past which he is still trying to uncover. The stark altering of this loud music to a softer and calmer music in the mid-over-the-shoulder shot where Bourne looks back toward the blue lights at the end of the street [depicted below], along with the peaceful feel created by the falling of the white snow resembles a clean slate and fresh purity. Perhaps Bourne's future will be more peaceful than his bustling past.
The complete lack of music in the fight scene between Bourne and the policemen emphasises the sharp sound of the batton, a form of weapon, hitting Bourne.
Overall, the themes of identity and uncertain pasts are clearly evident, revealed through the constant over-the-shoulder shots of Bourne looking back, emphasising a sense of him trying to remember and clarify his past. Other themes such as good verses evil, communicated through the evaluating of the stereotype of policemen and their typical appearance, as well as stereotypes contrasting male (more confident and valiant) and female (more emotional) build up a sense of confusion and debate, all in all creating a sense of history/the past catching up to you.
Bourne looking back toward the blue street lights:
The policemen are clothed in typical policemen gear (costumes), with their clothing appearing relatively protective and typical items (props) such as gloves and torches in hand, and batons attached to their belts etc. The lack of any non-diegetic sound/music in this scene where all that can be heard is the sound their voices and their footsteps, highlights their foreign language. The silence, lack of sound, and foreign language encourage doubt and worry within the viewer who may begin to wonder how trustworthy they are... The fact that the policemen soon end up knocked out and sprawled across the floor is a contradiction to the usual stereotype of policemen being armed and protected, worthy of total respect and fear. Perhaps they are actually the 'bad guys', Bourne the 'hero'. However, the high-angle shot of the policemen looking down on Bourne and the low-angle shot (camera angles) of him looking at them, suggest that perhaps the policemen are superior to Bourne, and more noble than what he is... meaning that he is perhaps in the wrong.
Borne's ability to speak the foreign language in response, as well as his being able to knock not one, but two policemen out, portrays him, once again, as being almost super-human. This links back to the typical stereotype of men being powerful and valiant. Once again, one questions who is actually in the wrong...
The close-up shot (camera work) of Bourne's face/reaction upon awakening to the police, followed by his instinctive response of aggression, grabbing the gun (which reveals his fast reflexes) and knocking both of the policemen out, suggests that Bourne may be returning to his old ways, causing him to retaliate to the policemen. This appears to be worrying him, depicted by his stressed facial expressions which links to the earlier shot of Bourne looking at his reflection in the train window (mise-en-scene). Mirrors and reflections resemble self-evaluation... its as if all throughout, Bourne is evaluating his character, his past, and even his future to come... almost as if he is overthinking, which once again links back to the scene where he appears to be in desperate need of a moment to rest.
In the final scene of the clip, Bourne throws off his red jackets whilst running away from the fight scene. The dropping the jacket is symbolic of him trying to drop the regret and pressure he feels from trying to figure out his future through establishing his past. This, along with the earlier shot of him looking at the gun in his hand, could be described as representing his regret of mimicking acts and deeds that he would've done in his past which also encourages the question of him perhaps returning to his old ways...?
During the fight scene, the hand-held camera moves around to quite large extent, then proceeding to track Bourne as he runs away. The unstable movement of the camera relates to the building tension, in a way providing a feel as to what it would feel/look like to be involved in the fight. This gives the viewers a further appreciation for Bourne's skill in his ability to defend himself against two armed policemen. This is in complete contrast to the peace he felt before as he slept on the bench, and the contrast is effective in building suspense.
Effect has been created through both editing and sound. As mentioned above, the very first shot of this clip begins with a fade from black transition. This transition is effective in instantly building an eerie atmosphere, typical of a thriller film. Continuity editing has been used to create a clear sense of logical, ordered events, transitioning from the harbour, to the train station and then the park, just as time passes from day to night. Additionally, the cuts and transitions between shots are of a relative pace, not detracting from the visuals. This allows the viewer to focus on what is being spiced and revealed in the plot, rather than question or be interrupted by the various special transitions. The blue lights, as mentioned before, are a form of artificial light.
In the shot where Bourne walks further along the street, a visual effect (editing) has been used to make him simply disappear as the small blue truck crosses the camera. Bourne's disappearing is rather strange and unrealistic, emphasising the eerie and questionable atmosphere generated. It seems slightly out-of-the-blue and unexpected which excites the viewer and maintains their interest. This is another effect generated through editing.
Finally, the creative use of sound throughout the film has also created effect. Early in the clip, the sound effects of the train passing/moving mimics the fact that time is moving forward, referring back to the references to the past and future. The relatively loud, bustling and almost intimidating non-diegetic music, along with the loud diegetic sound of the engine of the blue car which crosses Bourne as he walks along the road, along with the eerie undertone (created using a piano) at the the beginning of the clip parallel to Bourne's perhaps loud and aggressive past which he is still trying to uncover. The stark altering of this loud music to a softer and calmer music in the mid-over-the-shoulder shot where Bourne looks back toward the blue lights at the end of the street [depicted below], along with the peaceful feel created by the falling of the white snow resembles a clean slate and fresh purity. Perhaps Bourne's future will be more peaceful than his bustling past.
The complete lack of music in the fight scene between Bourne and the policemen emphasises the sharp sound of the batton, a form of weapon, hitting Bourne.
Overall, the themes of identity and uncertain pasts are clearly evident, revealed through the constant over-the-shoulder shots of Bourne looking back, emphasising a sense of him trying to remember and clarify his past. Other themes such as good verses evil, communicated through the evaluating of the stereotype of policemen and their typical appearance, as well as stereotypes contrasting male (more confident and valiant) and female (more emotional) build up a sense of confusion and debate, all in all creating a sense of history/the past catching up to you.
Bourne looking back toward the blue street lights:
Two policemen approaching Bourne who is asleep on the bench:
Hi Grace
ReplyDeleteOverall Score: 50/50
Terminology: 10/10
Analysis/ Explanation/ Argument: 20/20
Examples: 20/20
Well done in an excellent commentary and analysis of the clip. You have presented thoughtful arguments and backed this up with evidence in relation to representation and the overall meaning created through all 4 technical areas. You included the representation theory which was great and provided a very thought-provoking thought in relation to how the director may have been portraying the average, white, American man.