Chloe Lashley

Analysis of an Opening Sequence Gone Girl

I will be analysing Gone Girl because it is considered as a drama/thriller film. I chose
to analyse this film in particular as it is similar to our opening sequence, also the
genres of thriller and drama are clearly depicted throughout the film.

Eerie non-diegetic music is used from

the title sequence to set the mood and
to throw the audience into a sense of
tension, perhaps inform the audience
that things are not as they seem. The
action shown on screen juxtaposes the
music which makes the audience think
before the film has truly begun. The first
shot immediately presents the drama
side of the genre. An image of love is
shown between the two characters as he gently caresses her head. This is further
emphasised between the close up suggesting a level of intimacy. Members of the
audience may relate as they may be in a loving relationship themselves.
A voiceover of the male character
called Nick plays over this shot. The
shot presents the wife as innocent
although Nick says, ...I think of
cracking her lovely skull,
unspooling her brains... This
intrigues the audience because
they may have many unanswered
questions at this point, many may
want to know why the women is
being victimised. She is not looking
directly at the camera, breaking the illusion that the shot is a POV. The key aspect of
this shot is the effective use of low lighting because the audience learn later in the
film that it could represent the female character Amys dark and twisted thoughts.

A montage of several
different shots are
incorporated to set the scene of a small town in America but to also tell the audience
that the characters Nick and Amy- are two regular people. A sound bridge is used
to show a connection between the places and the characters. Each shot lasts no
longer than 3 seconds generating a sense of urgency.

Chloe Lashley
Up until this point, the audience
have only heard the voice of the
male character. This is the first
time that they physically see him.
The Director chose to have Nick
in the centre of the frame with his
house in the background; from
this the audience can infer that
he is the man of the house. His
house informs us that they may
be wealthy but his costume
suggests that he is very laidback when it comes to appearance.
This medium shot shows Nick at the
bar in the morning. The audience
begin to piece small parts of
information together. He says, Its our
anniversary today...five years.
Instead of toasting to the occasion, he
seems to be drinking his troubles
away. The Director may have chosen
to have Nick in a bar that is quite
empty to further emphasise that he is
alone in his marriage.

A close up of Amy writing in her

diary is shown on screen. From
the date 2005 the audience are
made aware that she is recalling
an event of her past. A cunning
voiceover of Amy is used which
contrasts to the words that she is
saying. The pink, fluffy pen that
she writes with connotes
femininity although her dark
thoughts suggest something of an opposite nature.

The scene with Amy writing in her diary fades out and a flashback occurs; informing
the audience of how the two characters met. Members may notice that in this two
shot is the first time that they have witnessed Amy smile. They can form a
connection between this scene and the very first scene to realise that their
relationship is not how it used to be. However, the use of low key lighting is still
significant as it suggests that there is something dark to come. The change of music
signifies the rapid change of mood, the new music is soft and romantic.

Chloe Lashley