Case Study - Jackie Brown

How Tarantino uses generic conventions in 'Jackie Brown'

Opening Scene:

The opening to 'Jackie Brown' uses the longest tracking shot in film which varies from different camera
angles in order to represent the main character without any dialogue. The costume already informs the audience that she works at an airport and the use of a conveyor belt then appears simplistic which may suggest that there is nothing much to the story of her life, however this is deceiving because we learn more about how she manipulates her job in order to smuggle money in for another dominant character.

The low angle shot suggests dominance which then challenges the conventions of thrillers by casting a female lead. In the 90's, in which it was released, statistics were low for women for example less than 9% of them were police officers. Also IMDb's 90's Top 100 films only had just under 20 films with a female lead role. However women were becoming more confident and independent making it more likely for women to be casted as the lead role with IMDb's current list showing over  30 top 100 films having a woman as the lead role. This angle is then significant because it visually tells the audience how independent and how dominant Jackie Brown was.

The sound is non-diegetic and is referencing 60's soul music in which was the time of change for races and ethnicity with protests allowing them to be equal. This then further suggests Jackie's dominance in that she is a strong female with all the male attributes for a leading role.

Beaumont's Death:

This lighting is an example of chiaroscuro lighting which is a generic conventions as it sets the genre as a noir thriller. This is similar to the opening of 'Essex Boys' where not much is revealed - representing a mystery - as it is too dark and grim. It then appears unglamourous, like the scene here. It also represents Beaumont's life of crime as the angle used makes the building appear long, like a prison with lined up cells.

This angle is used to show binary opposites of Ordell and Beaumont. Beaumont's back is up against the wall and he is not wearing a top which makes him appear more exposed and vulnerable thus making Ordell appear more authoritative. This then immediately establishes both identities by creating a distinct contrast through gesture.

The worm's eye view then makes the audience feel intimidated through the use of perspective as if we are looking up at them. A trunk is a generic convention of thrillers particularly in films such as 'Essex Boys' and this same shot is used in Tarantino's other films, 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Reservoir Dogs'. This then makes the space seem more enclosed thereby creating a claustrophobic feel which then helps to establish to the audience that these characters are dominant.

The use of costume is key as it connotes that Ordell is a bold and flashy person and the use of gloves suggest that he means business. It is also used to cover an identity which then implies that he is about to do something in which he wants nobody to know about suggesting that he is logical and methodical.

The 180 degree rule is not broken here due to the use of the panning shot. It is not used straight away as there is a vanishing point which then tricks the audience into believing he is driving away, but then we follow the car through a panning shot which adds suspense due to it being unexpected. Tarantino then uses the conventions of a thriller by using a place that is isolated and putting the victim into the trunk of a car so as to put them in a place where they are most vulnerable. A long shot is used to be metaphorical of Ordell's detachment from emotion as he has no empathy and the use of dark and gloomy lighting represents the coldness of him as he tricked Beaumont, only to kill him.

Melanie's Death:

This scene suggests male dominance due to Melanie aggravating Louis into killing her. This then suggests how short-tempered he is as he did it in daylight where he is exposed and everyone can see him. The difference then between Ordell is that he planned it strategically so that he couldn't be seen and therefore couldn't be caught. However, Louis did it out of anger and leaves Melanie to be found suggesting he has psychopathic tendencies, but also that he doesn't care which shows his detachment from emotion as he doesn't care who he kills as he has no sympathy.

Thriller Research: Essex Boys

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