Critical Review of Film: Rear Window and Roger and Me and Radio

I.)
"Rear Window" by Alfred Hitchcock uses many techniques to capture the viewer and place them in the same world as the main character Jeffries. The opening sequence of this film uses many of the techniques that can be seen throughout the rest of the movie. In particular, the opening scene employs camera movement including panning and zooming. The opening sequence also makes incredible use of diegetic space or the world of the film's story which includes events that are presumed to have occurred and actions and spaces not shown onscreen. Furthermore, the editing techniques of any movie are vital to its narrative and to its presentation and this is also evident in the opening sequence of "Rear Window". Finally, sound is always one of the most obvious and important aspects of any film. However, Alfred Hitchcock presents the viewer with a new, innovative approach to the sound aspects of cinema.

In the opening sequence, the bamboo shades begin to rise slowly over four rectangular windows. The camera then tracks out through the window to a view that shows the Lower East Side apartment building, as well as the courtyard and garden. A panning camera then follows a cat up a set of steps in the foreground of the courtyard, then backs off while still panning to a shot of most of the apartment complex. The camera tracks back into the open apartment window where the shot began and we see Jeffries asleep, and sweating from the high temperature. The shot moves next door to show a man shaving and listening to an annoying radio commercial. After this, the camera begins a long, continuous panning movement across to another apartment of an older couple, then below them to a blonde woman before returning once again to Jeffries apartment and slowly revealing his leg and his wheelchair. The panning camera makes the viewer feels as though they are on an adventure seeking out anything that can be seen. The viewer and Jeffries see the same objects and the same people as the camera moves through the courtyard and apartment buildings. The viewer is seeing through the eyes of Jeffries.

The use of diegetic space ties in with the use of sound in this film. In the opening sequence as the camera pans to the adjacent room we see a man shaving. The radio is blaring an annoying commercial. He quickly tunes the radio to another station to hear music rather than a commercial. The sound, we find out, comes from the radio within the scene. Then the sound of an alarm clock shifts our focus and point of view to that of the middle-aged couple that are sleeping on their fire escape. Once again, the alarm sound is found in one of the apartments rooms within the scene. At the film's climax, a group of musicians rehearse the song, called Lisa. This is the first time it is heard in a substantial version. To underline its status as diegetic rather than non-diegetic, we have a couple of cut-away shots from the principal action to show the rehearsing musicians. Most of the sound contained within this film comes from diegetic sources within the film. In this sense, it involves the viewer by leading them to also find the source of sound and is used as a entryway from building to building and from person to person. The diegteic space of this film is grand in size due to the numerous buildings and close proximity to one another. Theoretically, we could hear a sound from virtually any apartment in the complex.

The editing techniques in the opening sequence involve mainly panning and to some degree cutting techniques for the camera. The panning movement creates a sense of continuity to the shot and also gives the viewer a sense of the closeness of each neighbor. Through the panning technique, the viewer understands Jeffries close proximity to the action and also develops a sense of his location in the film. The cutting technique creates an entirely different view of the situation. Cutting makes the viewer seem disconnected, possibly out of view of those that he or she is gazing in upon. The set design isolates each individual by placing each in his separate window. The cutting reinforces that separation when Hitchcock creates transitions from window to window through cut away shots.

Each of these techniques and styles prepare the spectator for the rest of the film. The camera use prepares the spectator for more shots and panning from room to room. The use of diegetic space in reference to sound makes the viewer more aware and ready to listen for the objects which a sound comes from. Finally, the editing and cutting in and out technique readies the viewer for when to expect scene changes and how to identify different scenes. All of these aspects work in harmony to set up an amazing film that fully involves its viewers.

Part 2

A.)From conventional films such as "Jungle Fever" to very unconventional films such as "The Nasty Girl", the way in which one views or reads a film can be significantly different depending upon their knowledge of filmmaking and their ability to critically view a film. Under initial viewing, one generally views a film for entertainment purposes or to gain knowledge on a particular topic covered by a film. However, when one critically views a film, they are looking for known cinematic techniques, innovative uses of certain standards of film, and creative, new ways of making a film.

The film that I will explore is "Roger and Me" by Michael Moore. This film I viewed twice for this course. I first viewed this film for enjoyment and to learn about the story of Flint. As an avid automotive enthusiast, I had always been interested in watching this film. Therefore, I sat down to learn the story of GM. Initially, I was impressed with what appeared to be the truthful manner in which Moore documented this event. It seemed realistic, and to almost fully encompass the entire story. In this manner, it appeared to simply document the events as they happened.

After viewing this film for the first time, I did some research on Michael Moore, and read a current article that ran in the Detroit News. I then read through a couple of responses posted by other students on our web site and set off to critically view this movie with my new knowledge of the topic. I quickly saw that Moore took an approach that made those involved look bad. He made the former GM employees appear to be without any knowledge, in fact, not even capable of holding a job at Taco Bell. He also made GM look bad by hunting down Roger from high dollar place to high dollar place with no luck finding him. He attempted to make it look as though GM was wasting money and they were not concerned about the plant closure and its effect on Flint. Furthermore, it became evident that the editing of the film portrayed many characters in a false light and a defamatory manner. This was further strengthened by reading that many people involved with the film have successfully sued Michael Moore for libel.

When one critically approaches a film for viewing there is much less expectation of the film. Virtually nothing is taken for granted and every aspect is looked over several times. This provides the viewer with a truer understanding of the film, and makes the films inconsistencies and mistakes stand out.

C.)The film that I have chosen for this question is the new release "Radio". This film features Cuba Gooding Jr. as a mentally handicapped individual who is given the chance to be part of the lives of regular people. With the recent insurgence of taking everyone into account when constructing a facility, setting up a public school or institution, and making public places accessible to everyone, this film seems to encompass current belief in regards to treatment of physically or mentally impaired individuals.

Cinema plays the role of strengthening current thought in this film. Many people support the right to access for handicapped individuals. The actual right is part of many companies employee policies, many stores equal access codes, and is even part of legislation across the country. In recent years, guaranteeing access to handicapped individuals has gone from a privilege of a few companies, restaurants, schools, etc... to a requirement by virtually every public facility imaginable.

"Radio" attempts to take the thoughts of many individuals and transform it to what should be the thought of every individual. This film focuses on the sentimental side of every viewer. It makes the viewer feel as if they could actually make a difference themselves. Furthermore, it makes the viewer feel as if he or she also has the power, time, and amount of devotion that it would take to change the life of a handicapped individual in a way that is similar to what happened in this film. "Radio" makes the "help your neighbor" (no matter who it may be) appear to be a commonality in society today, and also makes it appear to be for the good of all involved in many ways. "Radio" reinforces current though by evoking feelings of sentiment, and sadness on behalf of the viewer.