15/10

Today I went to the showcase cinema and watched Sunshine on Leith by Dexter Fletcher and Taxi Driver by Martin Scorsese.

Sunshine on Leith is a musical based on the two young scottish men returning from the war. The film is introduced with a montage of army guys singing on their journey. This is a signifier to the audience of what to expect. In my analysis of Love me or Leave me Alone, the same technique is deployed where the audience is shown a somewhat 'trailer' of the film to build expectations. The setting and props of the introductory locations lead expectations of a possible war scene or film to be present. The integration of the out of character singing by lead actors was seamless, the film presented scenarios that invoked extreme actions or emotions from the characters that provided meaning to the songs sung. There were a few of conventions I personally like a lot, which featured frequently in the film they were; the slow zoom ins used to emphasise character's emotions, the deep depth of field used to draw more attention to a specific subject and the silhouette used to make the one of the resolutions in the film more dynamic. In conclusion, the contrast between the relationships was effective. For example: When the three lead ladies walk off away from the men after the marriage rejected, emphasised that all three relationships were in turmoil. Later comparisons come further where the audience is shown where each member of the relationships are at the end. This helped push narrative along and interest in all leads.

Taxi Driver is a crime drama revolving around a taxi driver. The film takes on the taxi driver's emotions and perspective of the world, where the audience is introduced the underworld of the city. From the beginning the audience see an unhappy taxi driver who works night shifts, as the film goes on the taxi driver evolves into a wannabe vigilante. As the taxi driver doesn't actually take on any other crimes apart from the one revolving around the character Iris. He cannot be deemed a fighter against crime. In certain parts of the film, the audience is led to believe that the taxi driver will engage in fights or battles with other characters such as the senator. In conclusion, the lengthy film builds on the idea of a person who is dissatisfy with their life and the occurrences around them. In result, a wannabe hero who tries to do the right thing the wrong way.

References:
Love Me or Leave me Alone. (2003). [Film] Directed by Dwane Hopkins
Sunshine on Leith. (2013). [Film] Directed by Dexter Fletcher
Taxi Driver. (1976). [Film] Directed by Martin Scorsese

Ty