Quite frankly, yes. Throughout the film, key Thriller traits are apparent, and it keeps the audience guessing right until the end. The audience are given occasional clues as to who the 'mythical' crime lord Keyser Soze is, and these only become obvious on the second viewing, once we know the outcome. Key quotes from Verbal Kint, such as "the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist" and "like that, he's gone" signify the mystery of the film, and also highlight the character complexity that qualifies the film as a thriller (we later realise he is Keyser Soze). The audience feel sympathy towards Verbal. It appears he has been set up, and 'programmed' by Keaton, who we begin to suspect. Kint is represented as a weak, stupid cripple, who the audience wrongly therefore presume would be unable to mastermind a $1,000,000 heist and deem him incapable of engineering a police line-up. This view is then reinforced when Verbal breaks down in tears in front of Agent Kujon, and admits that Keaton planned everything - there is then even a shot where we see Keaton as Keyser in the harbour. No sooner does the mystery seem a foregone conclusion, Kint leaves the police station and is picked up by Kobayashi; Soze's right hand man. An FBI artist's sketch of 'Keyser Soze', taken from the description by the Hungarian who was pulled out of a drain after the harbour shootout then prints on the police station's fax machine. It is a good likeness to Kint. It then becomes apparent that Verbal Kint is in fact Soze - showing the character complexity and mystery that defines the Thriller genre.
There are many more thriller traits too. Like in most, the film hinges around a crime, and the story needs to be unravelled, keeping the audience guessing. The main character; Verbal Kint, tells the story, as he reports to the detective. The storyline is deliberately misleading: Just as the audience begin to think Keaton is Soze, we realise it is fact Kint; the man we have sympathised with and trusted throughout. Also, when the audience do realise Kint is Soze, we begin to wonder what, if any of the story is actually real - we were made to believe the robbery was a failed heist, for money and cocaine, when in fact it was a very successful assassination - Soze bought and killed the only man who could positively identify him. And did Kint murder his own wife and children, as it is suggested Soze did in the film? The film generally has a very complex structure, and this is highlighted at the end by the double-twist at the end, where all seems to make sense when Keaton is suggested to be Soze... and then we find out it's Kint. The music score also adds to the complexity and 'darkness' of Kint - it gives him an identity, and prepares the audience for action or another twist. Finally, the Low-Key lighting used throughout is also in line with common Thriller traits. It works well with the continuing theme of mystery, and represents how things are 'kept in the dark' until the very ending.
There are many more thriller traits too. Like in most, the film hinges around a crime, and the story needs to be unravelled, keeping the audience guessing. The main character; Verbal Kint, tells the story, as he reports to the detective. The storyline is deliberately misleading: Just as the audience begin to think Keaton is Soze, we realise it is fact Kint; the man we have sympathised with and trusted throughout. Also, when the audience do realise Kint is Soze, we begin to wonder what, if any of the story is actually real - we were made to believe the robbery was a failed heist, for money and cocaine, when in fact it was a very successful assassination - Soze bought and killed the only man who could positively identify him. And did Kint murder his own wife and children, as it is suggested Soze did in the film? The film generally has a very complex structure, and this is highlighted at the end by the double-twist at the end, where all seems to make sense when Keaton is suggested to be Soze... and then we find out it's Kint. The music score also adds to the complexity and 'darkness' of Kint - it gives him an identity, and prepares the audience for action or another twist. Finally, the Low-Key lighting used throughout is also in line with common Thriller traits. It works well with the continuing theme of mystery, and represents how things are 'kept in the dark' until the very ending.
1 comment:
yes!! finally we see some output from the mysterious enigma some have come to know as 'waino'.
just fantabidosy sam, im so happy for you.
when you walk down a street in the dark, does dry ice enshroud you, i think it would quite become this new mystery persona i've imagined for you. perhaps you could start smoking large cigars, which would add to your uber cool crime lord image, whilst hiding any distinguishing features.
much love, must dash.
x
Post a Comment