Hey guys it is Casey here with a brand new post for the first time in forever. But all joking aside, I am working on a close viewing assesment for the fantastic film MAD MAX, FURY ROAD by George Miller. This is not the actual series of paragraphs that will be in my assesment but these are just a practice run at this close viewing thing. So enjoy my ramblings.
Dialogue is a very important thing to consider in any film with some scenes shining more than the rest. The scene “redemption” is a masterclass in dialogue where every word has a meaning behind it and does not come out of nowhere. They build upon not only the world of Mad Max but also the characters that inhabit it. “This is the best shot I’ll ever have” is probably the most important line in this scene as it not only reveals who Furiosa is but also what she desires. She is someone who wants to be free and has attempted it many times before the events of the film. Now because she has the War rig, she finally has the one shot that will give her what she wants and that is redemption. Redemption for what she has done in the past and to be free of the tyrannical rule of Immortan Joe. This one very significant line reveals so much about her Character that you just have to give Miller a massive pat on the back for it. Miller's purpose in this very careful choice of words is to give us insight into the character of Furiosa, to understand her better and why she is doing what she is doing. Because of this, we see that this is not the first attempt Furiosa has done but she still attempts it whenever she gets the chance and this is the best she will ever get. The effect this has on the audience is one of understanding of these characters. It also allows us to empathize better with the characters and show us just how far the relationship between Furiosa and Max has come. Because previously they were at each other's necks whereas now they are a close approximation of friends. MIller uses dialogue to enhance character design in a very clever way. Each line is very carefully chosen to not only make sense to the average viewer but also mean something to the character saying the line. The theme of redemption shines through each of these lines, and eventually leads to the main message of the film which is “make good with what you have.” All of the dialogue has been leading to that without explicitly saying it.
Music is one of those things that can really take an already great scene and make it so much better. The music that is heard here is played on a violin in a tone that conveys sorrow and a longing for something more. It is very soothing and a nice break from the action music of the previous scene in the quagmire. Max and Furiosa are talking and we hear the soothing strings of a violin in the background rising and falling in volume when needed. It specifically becomes silent just before Furiosa says redemption, giving that word more impact on the audience as it is something important to Furiosa.Miller’s purpose with the violin is to make this scene very different from others which all have metal music and it serves as a nice break from the action. The tone is particularly sorrowful which makes sense as this may be a painful memory for Furiosa after being taken by Immortan Joe at a young age. The effect this has on the audience is one of sympathy for Furiosa in conjunction with the dialogue in an almost melancholic way. It makes us want her to find her redemption and fulfill her dream of going home to the green place which they unknowingly just passed. The music works with the dialogue to make us feel for Furiosa as she is telling Max of a painful memory and the music amplifies that meaning. It rises and falls depending on what is being said in the moment with the dialogue taking over fully when it needs to and the music all but disappears from those moments. You could call this scene a sort of therapy session for Furiosa as she finally has somebody to talk to that understands her pain in a way. It could be like she has had depression for a long time and is now finally talking to somebody because she has hope that she can get out of it now with the help of someone she has grown to trust throughout the film.
Anyway I hope you all enjoyed this post and I will see you all in the next one. Bye Bye
Kia ora Casey
ReplyDeleteKa rawe!! Great work on your practice scene. I like how you make a judgment call that that line of dialogue is the most important. This shows critical reflection. I also like what you are going for when you write 'give George Miller a massive pat on the back' -- again, showing that critical angle. Perhaps in your assessment you could try to word that more formally?
When you tie in the aspect of Character, try to use the word 'aspect' so that the reader is clear that you are linking to other film aspects. Furthermore, put a little more explanation here of how dialogue and character complement each other to create meaning. This is a really important part of your paragraphs.
To improve, you could link your paragraphs using a connective like 'In addition,' 'Furthermore,' 'Another superb aspect Miller uses is,' etc.
I really like your music paragraph, especially the way you tie in your discussion of music with dialogue tone, contrast. Ensure you are always sprinkling those technical terms (seasoning) throughout your essay to show off how much of an expert you truly are!
AMAZING work. Keep it up!! :)
Hey Casey, this is good! I like how you are very clearly in love with this film and think that everything in it is perfection. I found you repeated your self a bit in both your paragraphs (when you are mentioning that Furiosa has tried to escape many times, and when you are saying that the music goes in and out) so maybe next time try to see if you can stop yourself from doing that
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