Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Comparison essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Comparison - Essay Example Similarly, the brutality of James Elroy’s â€Å"L.A Confidential†is adapted for screen by Curtis Hanson with a distinct underlying homage to Bogart’s portrayal of life-weary detectives, which is further highlighted by the simultaneous portrayal of heightened, stark realism which was lacking from the classic film noir pictures pre-1950. The opening sequences and title scenes of both films play a vital role in engaging the audience and preparing the audience as to what to expect from the movie with great effect. L.A. Confidential begins with historical footage of a prosperous pre-1950s Los Angeles city in which the celebrated â€Å"American Dream†is symbolised through the narrative. This places the audience at ease, increasing a sense of dramatic irony through the ideological portrayal that the symbolic â€Å"American Dream†is easily attainable. However, the old footage depicting idyllic family life is slowly juxtaposed and interspersed â€Å"the underbelly of America†and the â€Å"city the politicians don’t want you to see†. As such, the contrast heightens the thought provoking intentions of Curtis Hanson on the audience. In utilising the old footage, Hanson directly takes the audience to the era of the â€Å"The Big Sleep†however the â€Å"The Big Sleep†itself takes a more subtle approach to the subversion of the ideological American Dream, with equal effect. The opening scene of â€Å"The Big Sleep†creates a sense of isolation, which directly engages with the audience, beginning with the vivid image of the silhouette of a man and a woman, both smoking and blowing away the opening credit titles. The visual image of the smoke increases the sense of mystery and symbolises the underlying concept of a smokescreen, hiding the reality underneath the â€Å"Big Sleep†. This further indicates two possibilities, which
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