Movie Analysis - The Happening

When I analyse Movie on this blog I will be doing so focusing on representation, Camera work, editing, sound and Mise-en-scene. On some analyses, I will include two versions of the trailer or film clip; one as the raw footage and another with the notes and analysis as an overlay to give them context.

This analysis is on M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening (2008):

• Camera Work
• A two shot is used to clearly show the change of facial expression from passive to one of worry. It also establishes the close relationship between the male and female protagonists by the placing of Wahlberg's hand on Deschanel's arm.
  (0:06)
• Shot/Reverse shot is used again to emphasise the close up emotions of the involved characters. In addition, the rapid and quick nature of Shot/Reverse shot builds tension and provokes worry.
  (0:21)
• Editing
• The editor has used abrupt cuts to solid black to symbolise fear, pain and imminent death.
  (0:14)
• As previously mentioned, the rapid editing of Shot/Reverse shot is used to build tension.
  (0:21)
• Sound
• Diegetic train sound can be heard at the opening of the trailer which not only reveals the setting, but signifies something that is oncoming much like a warning. It could be symbolising the imminent outbreak.
  (0:00)
• Sound Bridging can be heard soon after the opening scene where the sound of one piece of footage lays over the previous scene before we see it. This helps to 'knit' the scenes together and include a lot of information and statistics which ultimately evokes confusion and attentiveness.
  (0:34)
• The repeated bell throughout the middle of the trailer holds connotations of drones and warnings which signifies a 'running out of time' ideology.
  (0:44)
• Alongside this is the non-diegetic inclusion of heavy breathing and a faint heart beat, foreshadowing danger and evil.
• (1:00)
• The soundtrack to the trailer is very parallel and synchronised with the video; the mood is always reflected as the same which is conventional of sound in the genre. An example is where the soundtrack builds to a crescendo, the cuts become more rapid and as the crescendo is introduced the footage slows down before a quick shock cut.
• (1:59)
• Mise-En-Scene
• The facial expressions of the characters as the train stops and as they depart are ones of worry and confusion which evokes these same feelings in the audience; creating suspense which is conventional.
  (0:10)
• Shyamalan uses a cliched effect of splicing news reports together which works well to enforce the Global amplitude of the problem.
  (1:13)
• Representation
• The film seems to contain the stereotypical, weak and helpless, blonde female character who is not significant to the story as typically is the case in Thriller's.
  (0:51)
• Female's, as a whole, in the trailer are less powerful as Males are always the people in authority and those explaining matters whereas the Females rely on the Males to protect them, "I'm scared, Elliot."
  (1:10)

Trailer with Analysis overlay: