Film beginning analysis

1. Film Beginning Analysis
CitizenKane (1941) – DirectedbyOrsonWelles
Studio– RKO
WittenbyOrson Welles
Back To The Future (1985) – DirectedByZemeckis
Studio– Universal
WrittenbyRobertZemeckisandBobGale
WhenHarry Met Sally(1989) – DirectedbyRobReiner
Studio- MGM
WrittenbyNora Ephron
Sallyisan organised,dedicatedpersonwhoseeksadventure bytravellingtoNew Yorkexcitedbythe
unknownwhereasHarryhasno needtostick totimingsor schedule,he isaman whogeoswiththe
flowandis confidentinhimselfdue tohisthoughoutideasof the inevitable future.
The Graduate (1967) – DirectedbyMike Nichols
Studio- MGM
The firstshot isan intense close upof a man’sface,makingitobvioustothe audience of his
importance inthe film.Itthenzoomsoutto displaythe locationof anaeroplane givingindicationto
hissituationandthe fact he is travelling.The songthataccompaniesreflectsthe moodasitis about
silence asthere isnodialogue fromthe characterwithinthe opening.Hisdirecteye line implies
determinationandthoughtandas if lookingintothe unknown.The nextsectionsignifiesthe
emptinessof hisfuture byhisblockingandthe blankspace infrontof him.The fact he isbeing
carriedforwardimplieshe isbeingcarriedbytime althoughitisinevitable he willgetthere. Then
afterhe picksup hissuitcase he becomeslostinthe crowd,the shot thenprogressestoshow the
surroundingof coupleslostineachotherandthenhe breaksthroughwitha sense of direction.We
thenendthe scene againwithan extreme close upathome infrontof a fishtank withthe same
blankfacial expressionandthe tanksymboliseshiscontainmentanddrowningfeeling. The lackof
movementsymboliseshisstagnantlife. Leavingthe question,willhe embrace hisfuture?