Unit 26.

1 Textual Analysis of a Film Extract

Nick Davies

Film:
Name: Sin City
Scene Extract Time: 13:14-16:50
Overall Film Time: 2h14min.
Cast:
Directors:
Frank Miller
Robert Rodriguez
Quentin Tarantino

Actors in this scene:

Mickey Rourke Marv
Jamie King Goldie/Wendy
Elijah Wood - Kevin

I have chosen to analyse an extract from the 2005 film SIN CITY which is
based on the graphic novels written by Frank Miller. The films directors are
Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez with guest director Quentin Tarantino.
The film is constructed in a graphic novel/noir style, of mainly black and white
ink drawing with vivid colour splashes to provoke emotion from the viewer.
Sin City was made in a green screen studio and was filmed in colour then
transformed into black and white through digital colour correction. Throughout
the whole film, each of the main characters narrates their own story.
 Unit 26.1 Textual Analysis of a Film Extract
Nick Davies

In this scene we meet Goldie and Marv. Goldie is a beautiful, highly paid
prostitute. Marv is large, strong man, of the criminal type. They spend a
passionate night together on a heart shaped, red satin covered bed. During
the night, once they are asleep, Goldie
is murdered. The following morning
Marv discovers Goldies death. As he
decides what to do next he hears the
distant sirens of police cars, a chase
scene then ensues. The scene ends as
Marv emerges from a sewer pipe
having driven a stolen police car into
the sea.

The filming at the start of the scene focuses mainly on Goldie. Because of the
way the scene is shot, mostly in close up with a soft filter, this creates
empathy with the character. The contrast of her golden hair against the red
sheets makes her pop from the screen, as she speaks your focus is taken to
her mouth, she wears red lipstick and her teeth are very white, her voice is
husky and sensual. All these features combined create an arousing
atmosphere to the scene.
 Unit 26.1 Textual Analysis of a Film Extract
Nick Davies

In comparison Marvs character is behaving in a strong, silent and vulnerable

way, shot in black and white to contrast with Goldie, he is made to be in the
background. His voice is deep and gravelly, its made to be directive and
focussing, his narration makes you concentrate, not only on what hes saying
but what his opposite character is doing.

Once Marv
and Goldie
are sleeping,
the camera
is overhead
and we see
the vivid red
heart shaped
bed
surrounded in nothing but pure black to make the bed and the two characters
the main focus, we then see the room door opening, the light from the hallway
is blocked by a tall, slick man, he wears spectacles that are blanked out, so
we cannot see his eyes or know his intentions. The music playing as he
enters the room is quick, high and stringy -violins- giving you an unsettled
feeling.
 Unit 26.1 Textual Analysis of a Film Extract
Nick Davies

The camera shows us an overhead view of Marv sitting on the edge of the
bed, smoking, partially dressed. He tells us that Goldie has been murdered
during the night by someone so silent that he wasnt woken. As he speaks his
voice becomes very intense, he sounds hurt, he vows to find whomever
committed the act and take revenge upon them.

As Marv is narrating to the audience he hears distant sirens of police cars

getting louder and louder. He then concludes that whoever murdered Goldie
tipped the police off and he is now framed for the murder. During this scene
he and the room are still in black and white and Goldie and the bed are still in
vivid colours, making the viewer focus more on Goldie whilst listening to
Marvs upset and angry toned voice. Marv knows they aren't going to be nice
so he does things his way. He leans against the door and flips his lighter, at
this point the camera is close up, showing the emotions and expressions on
his face.
The camera is top down of the inner spiral stair
well, as it fills up with police styled in riot gear. A
few police officers knock on his door open up
with which he replies Im on my way. He kicks
the door open taking down the officers standing
outside and jumps over the railings a few floors
down. He then throws a chair throw a window
and jumping into the trash bags below. A cop
 Unit 26.1 Textual Analysis of a Film Extract
Nick Davies

car pulls up and he smashes throw the front windscreen, knocking out the
cops and driving off with the car.
When he was driving the police car the camera is close up in his face,
showing the anger and frustration. This puts the audience on edge and
curious on what his next intentions are.
He had his escape route already planned out because he intentially drove the
police car into the river so it cant be found and swam into a sewer pipe
exiting out in a man hole. This shows he knows the area very well and most
likely would of used that escape route before. This scene is in black and white
except for the police cars headlights and tail lights making them the main
focus of the picture but the viewer can still see Marv in the corner of their eye.
Throughout these scenes the directors chose to use close up camera shots.
This is useful for seeing the
action unfold as well as seeing
the facial expressions posed
by the character/actor. The
audio is in time, crisp/clear and
well made the viewer wouldnt
of noticed anything different,
as if it was happening there
and then.

Overall the whole film is so

spectacular, amazing and
extremely well made. The
directors and producers have done an incredible job. The film is so well
made that the viewer can watch it and not think anything different. It is a film
that you cant find any issues or problems with. It makes the audience feel
different emotions, correctly, and enthused.
I love this film and could watch it over and over again. It is also one of those
films to use as an example of how to make an epic movie.

Reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcCiOURc6RQ&t=132s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zAcMrzFzZY&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zAcMrzFzZY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNom4k5Pwb8
 Unit 26.1 Textual Analysis of a Film Extract
Nick Davies

http://www.filmsite.org/visualeffects20.html
http://gizmodo.com/heres-what-sin-city-looks-like-before-they-add-special-
1625492983
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401792/quotes