Analysis notes of The Usual Suspect.

Mise en scene

Dark lighting to create an atmosphere or mystery and uncertainness to create suspense in the viewer’s mind.

The dark lighting is to highlight the fact that is night time. This may be to enforce the effect of mystery and unknown in the night.

Fire is normally used to represent something evil and to create a dangerous effect on a place or a character. Fire is used to show the viewer a fight has taken place.

The costume for the main character in this scene is very dark colours. All his clothes are black, this conceals his identity from the audience and makes him a mysterious character.

The use of lighting creates silhouettes of the main character to once again keep his identity a secret by not seeing any of his features which may identify who he is.

Sound

The thunder is used as a pathetic fallacy.

Non diegetic orchestra sound track is to create a sympatric and emotional atmosphere  to this scene in order to create an emotional scene.

The dialogue between characters is simple and doesn’t give too much of the plot of the story away. This is to show the audience that the two characters know each other but it is uncertain how to the viewer.

Two guns shots which are not synchroness to the scene suggest to the viewer that someone has been shot. These guns shots are most likely a foley sound effect.

Camera

Medium shots is used on the main character to only shots from his neck down. This is so the viewer cannot see his face to keep his identity confidential.

The low camera angles used to see the main character make the viewer look up to him, giving him the sense of importance and power.

Slow motion of the cigarette dropping to the floor show the importance of this action to the viewer as it soon create a huge explosion.