Nuances of Cinematography in The Illusionist - Essay Example

Section/# “The Illusionist A Discussion and Analysis into the Nuances of Cinematography that Help to Set the FilmApart It is without question that personal taste is one of the most important means by which an individual decides whether or not they enjoy and appreciate the film. This competition factor personal tastes is one of the constraints to objectively analyzing and commenting upon the compliments of any particular film. In such a way, as a means of performing a film analysis without necessarily relying upon whether or not a broad listing of individual tastes contribute to the general like or dislike of the movie, a far better approach would entail analysis of the compliment parts that the author believes strengthen or weaken the overall appeal that the movie offers. As a means of understanding this, the following analysis will seek to analyze and categorize the overall merits of the 2006 film, ”The Illusionist” by specifically focusing upon the attention to detail and historical accuracy represented within the wardrobe and seems, the way in which the musical elements of the score help to emphasize the key emotional buildup and mystery that is so definitive of the movie, and by utilizing expert cinematography and shots to confound the viewer up until denouement of the movie. In such a way, the analysis will be concentric upon why the film is one of this author’s all-time favorites. Though it is nearly impossible to maintain a degree of neutrality when discussing such a topic, it will be the intent of this analysis to do so by carefully adhering to the metrics which it previously been listed. Before delving directly into an analysis of the film, it is important to first briefly discuss the plot and setting in which the film takes place. Set in turn of the century Vienna, the plot line of the film revolves around a mysterious magician/illusionist that suddenly captures the attention and imagination of the inhabitants of Vienna. Building to this charisma and charm that the mysterious character of Eisenheim engenders is the fact that none of the people within the city, to include the security services of the monarch, are able to determine his true identity, purpose, or whether or not his performances are merely extraordinarily polished tricks or in fact involve a degree of the supernatural and dark. Although a litany of different other plot devices move the story along and create subplots that require resolution, the viewer is ultimately left with the same degree of confusion and doubt that the secret police and governmental forces of Vienna view Eisenheim with. As one might expect, near the very end of the film, the reader, as well as the governmental forces that had been paying such a great deal of attention to the mysterious character of Eisenheim, calm to the realization that his acts was a very perfectly orchestrated plan; rather than anything that drew upon an inexplicable level of magical powers. Accordingly, the very first aspect of the film that must be understood and appreciated is with regards to the overall level of historical accuracy and attention to detail that is represented within various aspects. Whereas films of a lower caliber are typically unconcerned with define attention to detail that the film exhibits, “The Illusionist” displays a particular level of polish in this respect. Evidence of this can of course be seen with regards to the period clothing that is exhibited throughout, the gender dynamics that necessarily put the young contests in subjection to her fiancé, and the overall level of intrigue, fascination and interest that’s the general population has with regards to the occult, magic, and the very beginnings of what can be considered early scientific and technological revolution. Moreover, interwoven into the plot is a dynamic of societal discord and the perpetual fear of an ailing monarchy that liberal ideas would ultimately cause the destruction of a power system that existed for many centuries (Fernandez 2). In such a way, the reader can come to an understanding that the film in and of itself represents many dynamics beyond an explanation and definition of the plot in question. Naturally, it does not take a great deal of imagination for the audience member to appreciate the means by which the monarchy systems of Europe were primed for a cataclysmic conflict than to notice the overall level of fear and exhaust the that was exhibited within the monarch in power structure displayed within the film. Accordingly, it is the understanding of this author that such an inclusion and nuanced element represented within this film is one of the most powerful mechanisms by which it stands apart from the many films that seek to portray a period drama such as the one being discussed within this analysis. Another aspect of the film that this author believes contributes greatly to the appreciation and understanding that the viewer receives is with regards to the musical score that is included. Music is not oftentimes something that is considered with any great deal of depth with regards to analyzing a film due to the fact that it is oftentimes viewed as a compliment that is either there or not there. Although such an understanding of simplistic, the reader can and should understand musical compositions within the film as something of a medium that is either absent or helps the plot by its very presence. What is meant by this is not with regards to the actual technology which is used to encode the sound; rather, the effectiveness of music within a film is almost entirely either positive or negative (Bernadin 51). In such a way, the nature of the music that is incorporated into the film in question is exceptionally well relayed. What is meant by this is the fact that the music within “The Illusionist” expertly integrates with the plot and serves as a multiplier effect that allows the viewer to develop an even further sense of confusion and wonder with regards to how the overall level of confusion portrayed on the screen can ultimately be resolved within a manageable framework of realistic understanding. Finally, tying in with the level of suspense and mystery that the music was able to provide within the film, final element which will be analyzed within this brief essay is with regards to the cinematography, camera angles, and shots which are used throughout the film as a way to confound the viewer and provide yet another layer of mystery to the plot line. Evidence of this can be seen and number of shots in which the viewer is left as confused and bewildered with regards to what is actually being done as is the audience. This helps to create a level of voyeurism and suspense without the need to incorporate drastic action, overacting, or needless drama. In such a way, the curiosity of the audiences maximize through the utilization of distinct camera movements and the general lack of knowledge that pervades the film up until the final resolution (Silberg, 21). This serves as something of unique approach within a film due to fact that filmmakers oftentimes choose to tell their stories through something of an omniscient approach. However, by keeping the audience somewhat in the dark and just as confused as the audience members represented on the screen, the film achieves a certain level of finesse and perfection that other films within such genres have not been able to accomplish. A further aspect of this particular approach which helps the quality of the movie is with regards to the fact that even once the plot has been resolved, there is no discussion or cinematography that shows the means by which the original allusions were conducted (Maio 122). This of course necessarily adds to the overall level of mystery as well as keeping the cinematography, shot selection, and camera angles uniform throughout the entire movie. In short, the analysis has been concentric upon three of the most powerful mechanisms that sets this film apart as compared to many others within the same genre. As has been noted within the introduction, is the further belief of this author that the film which has been under consideration represents one of the finer quality products that Hollywood has been able to produce within the past several years. Naturally, this is something of a subjective judgment; however, as a result of the objective means to been discussed and elaborated upon within this analysis, it should be incumbent upon the reader to integrate with a level of overall appreciation for some of the finer and more nuanced techniques that most certainly help to set this film apart stop finally, it is also the intent of this author to state that there are in fact a litany of other means which set this film apart from others. However, due to time and space constraints, it is of course not possible to mention each and every one of the stop rather, the three most salient points have been included within this analysis and hopefully help to illustrate to the reader some of the most salient reasons for the overall quality of “The Illusionist”. Work Cited Bernardin, Marc. "The Illusionist." Entertainment Weekly 887 (2006): 50. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 May 2013. Fernandez, Jay A. "SPC Is Mesmerized Bv The Illusionist." Hollywood Reporter 414.20 (2010): 2. Business Source Premier. Web. 23 May 2013. Maio, Kathi. "The Magic Of Lost Loves And Crushed Canaries." Fantasy & Science Fiction 112.3 (2007): 120-125. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 May 2013. Silberg, Jon. "Aesthetic Power." Millimeter 35.1 (2007): 20-24. Business Source Premier. Web. 23 May 2013. Read More