Amelia and Michael - Bradley Mills (unfinnished)

Amelia and Michael

This is the first shot the audience see, it is an interesting way in which to begin a film, where as usually an establishing shot will give information into the environment and location, this shot gives information about character.


From this shot we know that the character is female and concerned with image as she is applying her makeup but we don't know why.

The non diagetic music suggests that the plot is serious because it is a slow tempo track generally associated with dramas.


This shot of the two characters gives a little more information towards characters and location, the body language in this shot is very negative with both characters leaning away from each other and the facial expressions are very negative also suggesting there may have been friction between these characters relationship between each other.


There is no verbal communication between the two characters and as soon as the woman finishes applying her makeup she turns her head away from the make character to look out of the window, reinforcing this feeling of tension between the two.

The previous shot is contrasted when the two characters share a tame kiss this suggests that the silence and negative body language may be due to another problem in there life's which leaves the audience in an enigma towards what is happening or what has happened.

The idea that something is in fact wrong in there 'marriage' is again suggested when there is a close up of the female character removing her ring as he drives away. There is an obvious deception of trust being carried out as we see the female pretend to go into one building but then turn around and call for a taxi to go somewhere else (without the ring on her finger)


This is similar to the idea explored in the film 'Brief Encounter' of a woman deceiving her partner, similar to the film 'Brief Encounter' the male character is a kind but no thrills type husband who seems to give more than he receives in terms of the relationship, we hear him on the phone ordering extravagant things for there anniversary, meanwhile we see that the female character is having an affair.

We see her go to the hospital there we see a picture of her and this mysterious man on a motorbike together, this suggests that there has been a history between the two character's because photographs connotate a history, particularly because it is framed and there body language and facial expressions are much more positive we see that these characters are having an affair, in contrast to the body language in the car between her and her husband in the picture she is smiling and leaning towards the man with her hand on his shoulder suggesting intimacy. The motorbike also give's us information as to why he may be in the hospital also, i believe the photograph is a good way to communicate the plot and i may try to incorporate something similar into my own film.

She then goes on to kiss this 'mystery man' in a way which is much more intimate than the kiss she shares with her husband in the car she also refers to him as 'my love' which is very affectionate and possessional.This shot is taken at a high angle to suggest that the audience should look down apon this behaviour.

(NVC analysis into the kisses)

This video explores the idea of positive and negative female body language further.

The plot thickens when we see the male character go on what appears to be a date at first but it is suggested that she is an escort because there is a shot of this lady leaving the hotel room holding cash in her hand on her own.

we then see footage of the male character in distress, this suggests guilt and that he has just cheated on his wife, there is a powerful shot of this fully grown man resorting to the fettle position.

There is a shot that shows both of the married characters in the same room together after the affairs, this is significant because neither of the two can look at each other, one is directing her attention to a newspaper and the other is looking down, with there bodies positioned away from each other.

The camera angle again is high at a two shot suggesting that the audience should look down upon both of these characters behaviour.


Powerful use of sound


At the end of the movie the female character receives some bad news at this point the audience cannot hear what the news is because there is silence but this brings more attention towards the female characters facial expressions, this is a powerful use of 'sound' because when you take the sound away it creates a striking difference to the rest of the film, as she walks away the sad non diagetic soundtrack plays to suggest her mood at this time.

After a sequence of cross cutting between the two characters there is a moment where the two come together and bond over the same feeling of guilt and sadness is a passionate hug.

Amelia And Micheal