McGann releases details sparingly, constructing his film as a kind of puzzle assembled from pieces of the past and present, with Prior's attempts to forget his younger days. His use of camera movement adds new information, as flashbacks play a large role in this film. McGanns ability to stitch material together is significant as he doesn’t signal the shift between time periods heavy-handedly, and yet its always clear what is happening and how each new snippet of information contributes to the complex.
McGanns use of cinematography is a great example of successful director skills. The use of camera angles and lighting effeteness on the film help create a mood to demand the audiences attention to discover the true identity of each character. McGanns panning of the den, prepares the audience with a flashback, and as a small boy (Paul) with his father the lighting of warmth is portrayed with the effeteness of