Brick by Rian Johnson

Institutions
Directed by Rian Johnson
Production Company: Bergman Lustig Productions
Released 12 May 2006 (UK)
Made in USA
Critical Review by http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060406/REVIEWS/60403003/1023



Brick is a great thriller when it comes to looking at the codes and conventions of the thriller genre. It has also been a huge influence on my own thriller film without me even realising it. A couple of weeks ago me and freya noticed how similar a few key shots in our film were to that of shots in Brick including the alarm clock, the blood down the hand, the dead arm, the phone box and the close up of the item by the feet.

This shot is very similar to the opening shot of our thriller film.

Mise En Scene

Location: In this shot the location is hard to establish due to the shallow depth of field but it is distinct that the background is a dull location and shows no signs of being a lavish setting therefore this shot shows a conventional thriller setting.

Props: The alarm clock is a generic thriller convention as it is keeping track of time, also the contrast of the vibrancy of the numbers against the dim background emphasizes the time and gives it a sense of importance and relevance most likely to something that is going to happen later in the film.

Lighting: The lighting in this shot is ambient as it gives a dull, dingy effect which makes clear to the viewer that this is a real, uncomfortable situation and it also gives a sense of danger as the dim lighting along with the shallow focus adds to the uncertainty.

Camera Angle: Close up of the clock, with the clock being the only object in focus emphasizes the importance of the time and also forces the viewer to notice the time which hints at the idea that this time is going to be important later in the story.

This close up of the eyes is a great way of showing feeling and emotion, the dim ambient lighting gives the character a sense of mystery and danger, it also has a slight western feel - that of the general close ups used in a showdown.

This long shot of the phone box emphasises the seclusion and emptiness around Brendan (in the phone box) making him extremely vulnerable as there would be no witnesses if he was attacked or hurt. The phone box itself threatens Brenden by putting him into an enclosed space which is a genetic thriller signifier. The red glow of the single lamp above the pone box gives an ominous warning sign, the red connotes danger. The noir lighting also adds to the mystery of the surrounding and consequently Brendens vulnerability. The rule of thirds has the phone box (the main action) in the centre third of the screen, also very small, emphasising the phone box being lost and insignificant within its surroundings, but it also draws the viewers eye straight to the centre of attention.

This is another very similar shot to a key shot in our film, where there is a close up of feet and - in this film the hand picking up a note - in our film the hand picking up a ribbon.

The close up on the feet gives a sense of mystery, it also focuses the viewers attention on key action (the picking up of the note). In this shot the surroundings are grotty and unglamorous which is a genetic thriller signifier. There is also the watch on the wrist, which gives the viewer the idea that time is essential in this film, which is something that is kept track of often in thrillers.

The depth of field in this picture forces the viewer to focus on the main action only - indicating that it is key action and a strong part of the storyline. Both the background and foreground are out of focus, and only the arm with the note, and the locker it's going into are in focus. The bracelet is in the centre third of the screen indicating that this also is a key feature, which it is, as it is shown later in the puddle of shallow water on a limp, obviouslt dead arm. Like alot of femme fatales there is usually a main item of clothing or accessory that is linked to her fate and with this girl it's her bracelets. With the femme fatale in our film it's her ribbon.

This is the shot with the bracelets being once again the centre of focus on the dead arm in the water. The positioning of the arm is exactly the same as the above shot making it extermely memorable to the viewer and cleverly triggers their mind back to the previous shot. Also the cameras focus in this shot is alot clearer and harsher mirroring the fact that the action is harsh, in comparison to the above shot which with the shallow focus looks very roseate and dreamlike connoting a happy, soft storyline.