The title sequence of the film introduces the main character, Jackie Brown. The audience doesn’t learn much about her from this, except that she is air hostess.
The next scene introduces another character: Ordell. The first impression of Ordell contrasts to that of Jackie Brown as the first shot is of the TV screen, and a programme called “Chicks who love Guns”. It is used effectively to introduce Ordell as womanising and violent, although later in the scene he is made to seem less dangerous by his girlfriend, who disobeys his somewhat and also claims that Ordell doesn’t really know what he is talking about.
This scene is the killing of Beaumont by Ordell. This is the first act of violence by Ordell that the audience sees and is used to create shock and surprise.
The composition of the camera shot is a metaphor for the personality of Ordell: it represents him as a psychopath. The image shows the audience that Ordell can distance himself from reality and his detached personality. The long distance means that the audience do not get a good view of the murdere; this also distances Ordell, and highlights the insignificance of Beaumont’s death. The pan shot, long distance and high angle of the camera all help to create the feeling of a witness over a fence.
The action shows the audience that he has no empathy, no mercy, and is very dangerous and manipulating. It also shows the audience that Beaumont is an insignificant person to Ordell.
Areas to revise:
ReplyDeleteThe 5 minute iconic low angle tracking shot of Jackie Brown at the beginning of the film connotes that she is confident (note the way she walks through the airport) that she is the main character in the film and in comparison to the slouching body language of Ordell and Louis Garra, to include Melanie indicates they are low life losers. Ordell's obsession with guns is also chilling; note that in the clip where Ordell and Louis are watching the adverts for guns they ignore the girls brandishing these dangerous weapons connoting they marginalise women - this is reinforced by the way Louis treats Melanie.
The adverts for guns also are a critical comment about the USA and suggesting this is a country with an unhealthy interest in guns and that women are merely sexualised chattels!!! Much to think about here.
Excellent analysis of the shooting of Beaumont. Try to revise the first paragraph - imbedding the title sequence "110th Street" is on youtube. Note Jackie's confident body language and the way the camera loves her and that she dominates the screen in this clip.