Bourne Identity Essay

 In the extract from the movie Bourne Identity meaning is created through the 4 elements, camera shots/angles/movement and composition, editing, sound, and mise-En-scene. 

Mise-En-scene is shown a lot throughout as meaning can be found from most of the things put into the film. For example, two key colours, blue and red, are used to represent the main character, Bourne’s, life.

 

 Red represents the future, who he is becoming and blue is his past, who he was. The film plays along with this as there would be moments when he would be in a dark area looking towards blue lights, indicating he was almost looking back at his past. He’s very still whilst looking towards it so it creates a hidden aspect of his ‘past’ as he has no clue of it.  The whole mood, tone and setting match with this as we would see wintry weather and Bourne would not be shown to be a happy person. The blue tied in with the film at times was only in shown in a “depressive” way, as at this moment Bourne has no idea of his identity and his past is unknown. In contrast to this red is shown through all the new things bourne experiences. From security guards, to train stations, etc., they are all in red, as it is the new things Bourne is experiencing. 

Linking back to how Bourne does not know his identity, often a mirror or window is used in the film, creating a reflection. When Bourne looks at his reflection he does not know who he is and is unsure of his name and identity. The reflection shows the unsureness Bourne has over his life and allows this ‘unknown’ identity to be highlighted, making viewers want to find out who he is and how he may have gotten into his current situation. 

The Sound used throughout the film creates great suspense and action as it matches well with what is happening. In times of suspense, foreboding music is played, bringing an uneasy feeling to viewers, as it can foreshadow to them that something bad is about to happen. Whether in action scenes, like the scene with Bourne fighting the security guard, the music is upbeat and drummy intensifying viewers adrenaline. Fast pace music in action packed scenes create more realistic visuals as it's how it would sound in real life. Sound affects also play along with this as they make the scene more intense, in a way allowing for the difficulty of the movements he is doing to be shown.

 

In contrast in some scenes the sound is almost non-existent and quiet, creating a deeper effect. In the scene Bourne is looking towards the blue lights, the background sound is hushed, allowing for the moment to stand alone from the other scenes as it was a key moment where viewers can start to relate Bourne’s feelings. 

A different side of sound is through the voice of the actors. The people talking in the place Bourne is in have an accent different to him indicating Bourne is not from there, he is foreign. This is a key aspect, however, as shortly whilst in discussion with the police from the country, Bourne discovers he too can speak the same foreign language that the police speak. This is important as it’s the start of him identifying some of the incredible unexplainable talents he has from his past. 

In terms of camera, first off, a shot of the boat docks is shown, known as an establishing shot as it ‘establishes’ the scene for us and we are introduced to the new location in which Bourne is now in. The establishing shot can almost foreshadow what is to come in the new location giving us an almost backstory of the events taking place. 

The camera angles are prominently close ups of Bourne throughout. These close ups are effective as His facial expressions are easily seen giving a clear mood to the action happening. In the train, for example, the close up of his face allows confusion to be expressed in his face and we are able to identify that he is feeling unknown. On the other hand, close ups also help give suspense to the scene as not much action can be shown in a close up, so it tells the story without giving too much information away, therefore creating more of this unknown aspect.

One other special camera effect used was a wide shot with backlit lighting of Bourne looking towards the blue light. This lighting and shot was effective as it cast a shadow over Bourne and fixed the attention toward the blue light ahead. Being a wide shot, having light ahead was effective because it allowed Bourne to be shadowed and ‘covered’ in a way that very few of his movements and expressions could be shown. We were effectively fixed our attention towards the blue light, his past. 

The editing is very creative in the sense of using quick cuts to create suspense. As for giving viewers short quick clips of the story, it doesn’t allow for a lot of information to be given. Being quick can make an action scene, like Bourne fighting with the police more intense as the movement and camera action can play off each other making the moment more intense and action packed.  

Special effects like fog, create suspense as well as like shadows you’re not able to see much and it makes it hard for viewers to make out what’s happening. Leaving it to be unknown. 

Effectively the four elements work together to create the important ‘meaningful’ aspects of the film, so that they can stad alone. This generally creates meaning as the important unknowns are revealed to viewers in a deeper way.