This first extreme close up from the opening of the thriller film LEON, helps to establish an air of mystery in the scene. The reflection helps us vaguely see the other man partaking in the conversation but keeps both characters shrouded in mystery as throughout this scene, the faces are hidden throughout. The close up of the man’s face makes the viewers feel uncomfortable, which helps to build an unsettling atmosphere. The fact that the dialogue in this scene is quite slow and that there is a significant delay between each line helps to build the tension and also paints the characters in the scene as cold and calculating. The setting of this shot takes place in a blacked out room with a well lit table in the middle that is the only thing visible in the reflection, which helps to create a mysterious and dangerous atmosphere.
This is a reverse shot of the previous extreme close up. In this shot, more detail on the face is visible, which sets this character up as a more approachable man whose identity is less secret. The close up of the face is unnerving to the audience, and this is most probably used to help reinforce the setting and the characters as a place you would not want to be and with people you would not want to know. This helps to reinforce the feel of the film, which is based around assassins, and has an overall gritty and ruthless feel to it.
This shot is from the same opening scene. Leon has just drunk a glass and placed it on the table, which makes a loud bang, breaking the silence of the opening. The bang symbolises the fact that the “job” has been accepted and helps to give the impression that the character is determined and will not be put off his objective. This helps to set up the film as a gritty, and relentless thriller centred on someone who is equally relentless. The lack of sound in this scene overall has created a tense atmosphere that is shattered by the bang of the glass, which has an impact on the audience which helps to show the audience what route the film might be taking.
This shot is from the scene directly after the opening. The Character in the centre of this medium/long shot, is silhouetted which helps to disguise his identity, giving the impression to the audience that the man important and feels that he is untouchable. The fact that he is in the centre and that people are focused on him, gives him a sense of importance and tells viewers that he is a character that the story will focus on at the current point. The background music is very low and dark, and very subtle which references the type of character the assassin Leon is (hiding in the shadows etc). This helps to set up the scene and to create tension surrounding the central character. His costume helps to set the character up as a serious business man who takes his work seriously, and the fact that he has suited men aiding him gives us the impression that the character is important in his line of work.
This shot is a long shot, mixed with an over the shoulder shot. It shows the seemingly never ending staircase and helps to give the impression that the people at the top of the tower are isolated and vulnerable. This helps to build the tension as it turns the tables, making the strong people look weak. It is very effective, and helps to pitch the scene as a thrilling and surprising encounter. The fact that the music is still low and quiet, gives the scene a creepy sense as the rest of the scene is silent, and because the music doesn’t speed up, the scene feels like it is being pulled towards a thrilling conclusion.
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