A Little Analysis

This short scene from one of my favorite films, Brick starts with a medium-long shot that makes the viewer focus on the car as it is slap bang in the centre. The protagonist, Brendan even stopped once he arrives before the car and looks to his right before walking up the car. This action gives the viewer a feeling that he shouldn't be doing what he is doing and that somehow this car "commands respect" as it needs to be halted in front of.

We then go to a close up shot which consists of Brendan pressing his face on the glass and peering in. On seeing nothing of interest he then moves out of the shot and in the reflection of the glass he we see him looking around again. This combined with the lack of result from peering through the car window adds to the viewer anticipation and makes the viewer carry on guessing as to what Brendan is a. looking for and b. looking out for. We then go back to the mid we saw at the start of the scene quickly before Brendan comes back with a breeze-block. We then have another medium close-up of Brendan with the breeze-block raised above his head ready to break into the car.

Before Brendan has time to strike we are then presented with a long shot and a character (Tug) moving briskly, moving his arms quickly. This combination of the character appearing far away and smaller due to the perspective, but non the less moving almost franticly, makes the viewer realise just how determined this character is to reach his destination and that he is in quite an impatient and angry mood as it is evident from such a long distance. The camera quickly cuts back to a medium close up shot and then back the long shot except this time the camera is shaking slightly (to imitate brisk walking backwards and therefore create more drama) and tracking out before stopping on a two shot.

Immediately Tug hits Brednon and this is combined with a brisk tracking in on tug and heaving shaking of the camera to communicate the disorientating sensation that Brendan is feeling to the viewer. The camera then tracks sideways using a mid shot following Tug's movement as he walks to the car. Brendan then get up and his immediately hit again by Tug. While Brendan is getting up again the camera swing round 180 degrees and this is mirrored by tugs swinging fist, striking Brendan again.

Tug, still using a mid shot gets into his car and then opens the door in Brendan's face as he tries to get up. Finally Brendan gets up, and throws something at the car. Then the camera cuts to a long shot with the car swerving quickly from the foreground to the mid-ground and Brendan's object hits the car. The fact that the object's striking of the car has its own shot provides the objects impact with well, more impact! Finally there is a medium close up shot on the side of Brendan, making the viewer focus on him and what he's just been through.