Gran Torino Mis-En Scene Analysis
Clint Eastwood’s 2008 film Gran Torino was met with critical and box office success, as it details the detailed story of Walt Kowalski’s personal growth when he connects with his new, Asian neighbours. At the film’s core are heartfelt messages regarding the belated blooming of Walt’s better nature, and how race dictates how we as humans interact. Primarily, Gran Torino promotes conflict resolution, through visual mis-en-scene techniques, including, but not limited to, lighting effects, camera angles and setting. The innovation of these aesthetic ingredients allows the audience to sympathise with the central characters, whilst positioning them to feel intensified feelings of desperation, worry and emotional attachment. Together these components
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Firstly, the climax of the scene occurs at an uncontrolled intersection, near a dark-bricked building with wire fencing as a backdrop. Immediately, the grittiness of the landscape mirrors Walt’s unforgiving nature when he witnesses Sue being physically and verbally harassed. The group of African American men form a menacing black wall, which Walt successfully penetrates using both a real gun, and a fake gun he creates with his fingers as a form of mockery. The isolated and deserted street positions the audience to feel worried and uncertain of Sue’s fate and the fate of her friend; this tension is ultimately broken when Walt successfully resolves conflict, despite the resolution being considered somewhat …show more content…
Conflict resolution is at the forefront of the film’s basis, whereby the sombre and moody lighting schemes, the fast paced alteration of camera angles, and the isolation of the setting create emotional undertones that form a dynamic film. Whilst it is easy to underestimate the power that mis-en-scene and visual effects have on a film, Gran Torino would undoubtedly be a much less riveting story, had these film techniques not worked together in unison. Ultimately, Gran Torino’s visually stimulating narrative allows the audience to understand that even the most trying of situations can be interpreted positively through improved conflict
Firstly, the climax of the scene occurs at an uncontrolled intersection, near a dark-bricked building with wire fencing as a backdrop. Immediately, the grittiness of the landscape mirrors Walt’s unforgiving nature when he witnesses Sue being physically and verbally harassed. The group of African American men form a menacing black wall, which Walt successfully penetrates using both a real gun, and a fake gun he creates with his fingers as a form of mockery. The isolated and deserted street positions the audience to feel worried and uncertain of Sue’s fate and the fate of her friend; this tension is ultimately broken when Walt successfully resolves conflict, despite the resolution being considered somewhat …show more content…
Conflict resolution is at the forefront of the film’s basis, whereby the sombre and moody lighting schemes, the fast paced alteration of camera angles, and the isolation of the setting create emotional undertones that form a dynamic film. Whilst it is easy to underestimate the power that mis-en-scene and visual effects have on a film, Gran Torino would undoubtedly be a much less riveting story, had these film techniques not worked together in unison. Ultimately, Gran Torino’s visually stimulating narrative allows the audience to understand that even the most trying of situations can be interpreted positively through improved conflict