A textual analysis on the opening sequence to 'Before I Go To Sleep' (Joffe, 2014)

1. Title & Opening Sequence
Textual Analysis
Before I Go To Sleep (Joffe, 2014)
By Molly Meese

2. Before Go To Sleep - Analysis
I am going to be analysing the opening sequence for
Before I Go To Sleep (Joffe, 2014). The film is a
psychological thriller that creates a sense of mystery
and confusion between the characters and audience
right from the get go. By giving the audience very little
information it forms the genre and sets the audience
up for the themes that will occur, this same effect is
desired to be achieved in our group opening sequence.

3. The first sighting of the movie is a black screen with
the title written over it, this minimalistic effect creates
a quiet, tense atmosphere for the audience with no
film information, characters, or location just the title.
There is neither diegetic or nondiegetic sound at this
point, just silence and the contrasting white movie title
on a deep dark screen, complementing the thriller
aspect. This is later interrupted by more action on
screen. The title moves into a blur effect with a
unrecognisable shadowed effect behind it. Then
audible sound begins to fade in with a low underwater
hum, a ringing sound and female heavy breathing, the
eerie and unstable effect adds to the theme. At this
point it’s still not clear to the audience as to what is
going on but with the small bits of information the are
given they can begin to create ideas themselves.

4. The cross of diegetic and nondiegetic sounds then cut
out to silence rapidly and the dark screen is replaced
with an alarmingly open eye staring directly into the
camera and at the audience. Then diegetic sounds entre
such as heavy breathing and the quiet ticking of a
watch. We are given this shot for a moment and then
the camera begins to pan out revealing the character of
screen, at the point the audience will of understood
that this is the main character in the narrative. The
canted pan out gives off the feeling of confusion which
is clear in the characters emotions as well. The
audience are given little information but it is very
important and sets the scene up for development. The
audience are being given as little information as
possible to add to the tension and mystery, this plays
on the psychological thriller aspect of the film.

5. During the silence we then are shown a point of view
shot from the confused and nervous character we have
been introduced to, with a frame going in and out of
focus on a hand we see that she is not alone in the bed,
this small amount of information again allows the
audience to dictate their thoughts on the situation and
what may occur next as the mystery builds. Slowly
nondiegetic sound develops and enters the scene, the
quiet and creepy sounds build the suspense. As the
music build the scene does too, and the audience are
able to see the characters building along with it. As the
music becomes louder the character begins to try and
come to terms with her surroundings and what's going
on, much like the audience at this pinot as well. Both
the audience and the characters have the same amount
of information at this point.

6. The scene continues with the character trying to adapt to her surroundings and try to
understand where she is, the audience begins to gain knowledge and dramatic irony
begins to feed into the scene as the audience begins to learn and know more than the
characters, this method creates a tense and on edge atmosphere for the audience. We
as an audience don't know the full intentions of any of the characters but as more
information is given plots can be made and the movie grows in narrative and in
emotions.

7. Conclusion
Overall, the suspense of not knowing exactly what is going on is captured in
the opening sequence very successfully, in addition the tension is also raised
through techniques on mise en scene, sound, editing and camerawork. The
lack of information given to the characters and the audience builds up the
mystery and suspense. The psychological aspect of the film is clearly displayed
in the opening with the audience having to think for themselves in perhaps
dangerous situation that they feel they have been put in by the atmosphere of
the scene itself.