Tasa's Research Task of 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'

Tasha's Research Task

Analysis of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

In this essay I will be basing my analysis on the video clip provided on Moodle.

At the beginning of the opening sequence, spectator's are presented with an establishing shot of an remote, isolated area, which appears to be set in the country side. This type of setting goes against the stereotypical locations a thriller would normally be set in. This suggests that this film goes against some of the conventions and norms of a thriller. When analysing the establishing shot, the lighting used with it is of high opacity; making the quality really bleak and over exposed. This causes the scenery to appear faded and distant to the viewers.

Shortly after the establishing shot appears the off screen diegetic sound of a phone ringing can be heard, this then turns into an on screen sound affect as the camera jumps to the first scene. The sound effect of the phone ringing could also be created through the use of a foley sound effect, this would therefore make it sound more realistic. The spectators are then presented with a male character answering the phone, during this scene parallel cutting is used to go back and forth between the first male character and another male character. Through the use of this continuity editing technique spectator's can see what both characters are doing whilst in separate locations. During the two characters conversation the second male character is presented from a high angle shot with his back facing the camera; causing his identity to remain unknown. This then creates enigma within the audience.

As their conversation develops the camera uses a tracking shot on the first character as he walks around his house, this tracking shot then turns into a close up emphasising his sad facial expression clearly seen on the screen. This shot then cuts to the second character; who's face is now half shown on the screen through a close up, this character also looks very sad and disappointed. He then miserably takes his glasses off and places them on the table and then moves out of the camera shot. The camera remains in a restricted narration causing the spectators to assume that he has just left the room.

After the character is out of the shot the camera then tilts downwards and focuses on some sort of picture in a frame on the table. The characters glasses are also placed on top of this frame, symbolising that he is somehow connected with the item/prop on the table. After focusing on the frame for a while, which suggests that the prop connotes meaning, the shot then slowly fades into a black screen.

Overall, I think this opening sequence has constructed the meaning of a thriller film very well as it has used various elements to create a sense of enigma which is a must if you want to have a successful thriller film. I also think the development of character has been done very creatively in this film as the two male characters presented are shown to be searching for something or someone which again, creates enigma across the audience, as they will want to find out what it is they are looking for.
This is also a good technique to use if you want your audience to carrying watching the film.

Furthermore, I think this does appeal to my target audience as a whole as the way the opening has been constructed means that it has something in it that appeals to everyone in my target audience. Such as enigma, fascination and a good narrative. The narrative has been structured very carefully as in the first few moments of the film the spectators are already asking questions. This shows that the narrative has been plotted very precisely by feeding the spectator's fragments of information as the storyline plays out. The iconography of mystery is also represented through the picture in the frame as the spectators don't know who its from of what it's for, so this then raises a sense of enigma.