Swordfish

Swordfish

In the opening scene of the film a major character (John Travolta) has a monologue; it is one of my favorite monologues I have ever seen in a film. The scene is carried out in a very interesting way, all the while never losing sight on the main subject. Slight variations in the focal length, lighting, sound and of course the composition of each shot, it is the most well thought out scene in the film.

Although I am no supposed to discuss the context of the scene, it is what adds a certain level of charm that would otherwise be missed. There is a discussion of the quality of film making in Hollywood, and the character relates his current situation to a quality film, the irony is not stressed which makes it believable.

The most obvious effect used in the scene, is the use and movement of both the focal length and point. Although moving the focal point can distract from the film and have it deteriorate very easily, but it is not overly done, you are able to concentrate on very particular details in the frame, instead of trying to absorb the whole frame at one time. Also you feel the dialogue is much more important than the image, you not only hear the dialogue but you listen to it.

The lighting is very well though out, the scenery is slightly dark soft ambient side light giving you a somber feeling also hinting at the time of day giving the viewer a reference point on the time that has passed. What is really important is the lighting on the main character, a soft butterfly light makes him non-threatening and the uninteresting was the face is lit puts more importance on the dialogue. Making the viewer more open to what the character has to say.

The sounds or lack of sounds in this scene accentuates the importance what is going on. Other than the dialogue every other sound is extremely subtle, light musical sounds and very little Foley work make up the rest of the auditory stimuli. There is one sound effect that is extremely subtle that makes the scene feel scrutinized or watched, that is the sound of an automatic focus changing and trying to catch up.

The way the shot are composed is very simple but yet still dramatic, and most importantly effective. The feel of a hand held camera hard cuts and very few detail shots set up the mood and the rhythm. The shots are rather long and all telephoto, other than one wide angle shot that introduces the other two characters he is