The establishing shot is an ECU of a book of matches struck alight - the fire already foreshadowing danger and juxtaposing the water surrounding the boat. We are introduced to the character named Keaton (although at this early stage the audience is yet to learn his name) with an MS on a burning ship with several dead men about. Immediately, the contrast between the ECU and MS restricts the narrative, making it uncomfortable for the audience. Keaton lights a cigarette and starts a fire that will kill him and another man on the ship. The fire snakes along a line of oil, passing a dead body before being extinguished by a shadowed figure (Keyser) above Keaton who urinates onto the flame. The fact that Keyser is above Keaton forms a sense of power and also suggests he is the antagonist of the scene. He is also either in shadow or silhouetted making it difficult for the spectator to make out any of his features. keyser descends down the stairs and lights a cigarette in front of Keaton. "How you doing, Kid?"
Keaton, "I can't feel my legs, Keyser."
Keyser flicks down the lid of the lighter and pulls a gun out of his pocket. Keaton asks the time which becomes even more poignant when seconds later Keyser fires two shots, leaving the words to resonate like a doctor calling a time of death. It then cuts to various LS and ELS of the boat and its immediate surroundings so although we do not see the violence or Keaton's death we can infer it (similar to many other thriller movies).
Throughout the whole sequence, their is an emphasis on the edgy, anxious and dramatic atmosphere. The camera briefly focuses on a leaking water pipe, which exaggerates the tension, suspense, but also futility as the camera then cuts quickly to a CU of Keyser's gloved hand dropping a cigarette, reigniting the boat. Keyser's silhouette is seen climbing down the ladder and escaping before it explodes.
No comments:
Post a Comment