This document summarizes and analyzes several classic gangster films. It provides brief plot summaries of Goodfellas, Mean Streets, and Pulp Fiction. It then reflects on common themes in the gangster genre, including ambition, violence, money and power, distinctive costumes, and envy. The conclusion is that an effective gangster film trailer should incorporate these elements to accurately represent the genre.
2. Goodfellas
Brief plot: Henry Hill is a
small time gangster, who
takes part in a robbery with
Jimmy Conway and Tommy
De Vito, two other gangsters
who have set their sights a bit
higher. His two partners kill
off everyone else involved in
the robbery, and slowly start
to climb up through the
hierarchy of the Mob. Henry,
however, is badly affected by
his partners success, but will
he stoop low enough to bring
about the downfall of Jimmy
and Tommy?
Tagline: As far back as I can
remember, I've always wanted to
be a gangster.
3. Mean Streets
Basic plot: The future is set for
Tony and Michael - owning a
neighbour- hood bar and making
deals in the mean streets of New
York city's Little Italy. For Charlie,
the future is less clearly defined. A
small-time hood, he works for his
uncle, making collections and
reclaiming bad debts. He's probably
too nice to succeed. In love with a
woman his uncle disapproves of
(because of her epilepsy) and a
friend of her cousin, Johnny Boy, a
near psychotic whose trouble-making
threatens them all - he can't
reconcile opposing values. A failed
attempt to escape (to Brooklyn)
moves them all a step closer to a
bitter, almost preordained future.
Tagline: You don't make up
for your sins in church. You do
it in the streets.
4. Pulp Fiction
Basic Plot: Jules Winnfield and
Vincent Vega are two hitmen who
are out to retrieve a suitcase stolen
from their employer, mob boss
Marsellus Wallace. Wallace has also
asked Vincent to take his wife Mia
out a few days later when Wallace
himself will be out of town. Butch
Coolidge is an aging boxer who is
paid by Wallace to lose his next
fight. The lives of these seemingly
unrelated people are woven
together comprising of a series of
funny, bizarre and uncalled-for
incidents.
Tagline: You won’t know the facts
until you’ve seen the fiction.
5. Reflection
Ambition- This is an important part of the gangster film genre. I have
noticed that they are mostly always small time gangsters aspiring to
make it big and become somebody powerful rich and extremely
respected amongst their community.
Violence – there is always some type of brutal violent scene whether it
be torture scene or a gun fight its essential.
Money& Power – These are the cause of all disputes in gangster films.
Costumes- This element of mise en scene is vitally important in making
a gangster film, it is how you are able differentiate the levels of
hierarchy. And what helps define to the audience the genre.
Envy– This is normally the drive in motive for most characters in the
genre.
Overall to create a good gangster film trailer I will need to incorporate all
from what I've found in the different films I've researched to create an
accurate representation and portrayal of the genre.