Film analysis

Silence of the lambs

• 1990
• Jonathan Demme
• Protagonist - trainee FBI agent 
•                    - inexperienced but naturally talented
•                    - isolated
•                    - sweating, no make up - masculine?
• descending downstairs to Hannibal's cell - lower than society - class
• Red lighting
• brick walls
• high security
• "The last cell"
• standing in the middle of his cell as she approaches - expecting her
• extreme close ups of his face 
• lots of prisoners down the corridor - suspense building
• Knows all of her fragrances - knows skin cream by smell only -- creepy & eerily obsessive
• Eye contact between antagonist and protagonist
• He's standing, she's sitting - antagonist has upper hand 
• Sticking hands out of cell to get her - crazy, desperate
• Emotional conflict between protagonist and antagonist

Black Swan

• 2010
• Psychologically damaged character - unhinged / repressed / treated like a child / seductive
• Multiple identities - dark but innocent
• Mirrors & reflections - visual motifs of multiple identities ^ 
• Reflection - character who looks similar to her - misfooting audience too
• Echos
• Look-a-likes
• Reflections
• Lighting
• Handheld camera

The Shining

• 1980s
• Jack Nicholson - protagonist but becomes antagonist / writer in small family / caretaker for empty hotel during closed months / slowly goes mad / becomes serial killer
• High pitched violins
• Danny - able to hear ghosts & telecommunicate with others
• Close up of Danny's face when girls talk to him 
• Children - usually associated with innocence and happiness - unnerving
• Female character - victimised
• Camera movements

Fatal Attraction

• 1987 
• Adrian Lyn 
• Antagonist - female (untypical of thrillers) / obsessive (typical) 
• One night stand - pregnant
• He wants abortion
• Cross cutting 2 locations - suspense
• Camera - something waiting for protagonist?
• "Bunny Boiler"