The Wire: Episodes 1, 2, and 3 - Movie Review Example

The Wire Episodes 2 and 3 Institute: Film Analysis: The Wire: Episodes 2 and 3: Film use certain techniques to make their work more persuasive. The wire is no exception and it has actually done a very unique job of combining moving pictures, cinematography and language to put across a story that is so poignant and rich in style. The authors have used these techniques to create binaries and strands to create a piece that tells their story in a very convincing manner. We can from the episode examined form the hypothesis that: through specific filmic techniques, the authors of The Wire create a highly realistic, documentary-like atmosphere. The aim of creating this atmosphere will be examined further in this essay. The authors to a greater extent manage to convince the audience on the authenticity of their story which they to a greater extent manage to convey in a gripping and very realistic looking film. The way they employ their styles and stick to the same repeated way of telling the story lends an air of reality to the plot. The story is delivered in a documentary like fashion and this really goes a long way in giving it the ‘real’ feel. The audience will as a consequence tend to feel more at home with the film as it seems to speak to their inner self and seams to take place in the audiences familiar settings. In The wire season four episode number two, we find that both the language and the visuals work simultaneously to help bring out the intended messages very effectively. For instance we find the language used by the characters tend to authenticate their specific roles in the scene; in the scene where snoop buys a nail gun, the dialogue between snoop and the hardware attendant brings out the stark difference in the worlds that the two move and live in; for snoop the street slang drawn out talk she employs, brings out the street authenticity the author intended and the correct clipped language of the attendant helps in bringing out the contrast and difference between the two characters. In this episode, the authors are trying to convey several messages and they go about this by using filmic techniques that are meant to enhance the audiences’ easier understanding of the messages both inert and overt. The episode starts off with starts off with political power play with Mayor Royce being caught in a compromising situation by Herc a member of his security detail and as such both are considering what action to take to benefit their respective careers. The main message that comes out from this scene is the politics of contemporary Baltimore and the way the filmic techniques are intertwined with the characters portrayal gives a wonderful end product where the audience feels that they are being let into the practices and lives of the high and mighty in Baltimore politics. In this scene, especially in the conversation scenes, the camera does not switch to the character speaking until that character has already commenced talking. This creates a feeling as though the cameraman didn’t know beforehand who is going to speak and when they will speak. The camera often seams to "sneaks up" on a scene as it is taking place. This creates the impression that we are eavesdropping on what is actually happening. This happens in the scene where the Mayor is caught having oral sex from his secretary and it enhances the viewers feeling that the two were caught unawares. The authors intended message from this was to portray through the techniques applied (especially the “sneaking up” on the mayor and his secretary) and the dialogue; the unalienable heady combination of power politics and sex with a degree of the powerlessness of some characters like the officer Herc. In the episode, the 4:3 aspect ratio chosen creates a feeling that the scenes are less inherently cinematic, which creates a more "real" scenario. It is very effective as it creates the impression that the scene is not actually a movie set bit rather it feels real. In the real like scenario creation, the author’s objectives were to send the message that their portrayals are to be taken seriously and that they were trying to give as honest a view of what actually takes place in Baltimore as they could come up with. The music used in this episode tends to occur organically and the same music that is heard by the audiences is also heard by the characters. The music is not merely used as audience cues but is also an integral part of the movies plot and as such helps greatly in piecing together strands that run through the story. This unobtrusive music sources are a very special touch for the scenes as they are done so effectively as to become unnoticeable if they are not being looked for. This filmic effect is so effective in making the audience get the message at play in any scene. It creates the impression that they are part of the plot. The message to the audience is that they are part of the film and this works to make the audience more enchanted by the film. In this scene, I take a small excerpt of the story to show how we find the use of conflict that is not is covert in nature but has a very effective effect on the story’s development. This type of story telling is complemented by the use of close-ups of the camera view and camera angles that tend to create a personal feel to the characters predicament for the audience. At the unit office detective Lester Freamon prepares to serve the subpoenas on political figures from the Barksdale Organization. Leander Sydnor worries that the action could damage all of their careers and Assistant States Attorney Pearlman shares his concern as she paces worriedly around the room. Pearlman wishes that she had run the subpoenas by her superiors before letting them go ahead because of the upcoming elections - Freamon chastises her for considering breaking policy for politics. She tells him that the politics matter to her career for two reasons- if her boss, States Attorney Demper, is re-elected but feels undermined by Pearlman, he will demote her to reviewing bail cases at the Central Booking holding facility; if the electoral opponent, an African American named Rupert Bond wins, she is likely to lose her position as the head of Narcotics prosecutions due to her race. Freamon notices that Pearlman has held back two subpoenas - Senator Clay Davis and Andy Krawczyk. She plans to keep them until after the polls. Freamon tells her that this is the only window for the investigation - at the moment the politicians have to worry about how their actions appear to the public, at any other time the unit would be shut down for pursuing this investigation. Pearlman realizes that Freamon has played her by holding the investigation until now and that he lied when he said it was pushed back by fresh cases. Freamon pleads ignorance. Later Pearlman discusses her resentment of Freamons duplicity in bed with Freamons old commander Major Cedric Daniels. Daniels point out that Freamon had a case and then manages to make Pearlman laugh about Freamons tried and tested manipulations. Daniels states that he is glad Freamon is manipulating someone other than him these days. This type of character manipulation also helps to complement the cinematography in delivering the message that the cut throat nature of the characters is one way they get what they want. There is a distinct feel of the influence of documentaries on the style of the whole episode in particular and the whole season in totality. It helps to create a feeling of realism which filters through to the audience as the plot unfolds and the use of this style is instrumental in emphasizing the message of the authors. In the episodes, the film utilizes the rearview mirror shots very effectively the use of rearview mirror shots to advance the plot and tell their story. This also creates the impression for the audience that they are actually part of the story and are peeping into the scene as it unfolds. This amazing piece of cinematography helps to add another dimension to the story as it is already developing one tangent to the story. At the same time there are a lot of what we can call “Weird view shots", like for instance the reflection in a window or a mirror, and also shots taken from the view of security cameras, etc. this aspects of cinematography exhibited in the scenes of this episode are a work of art in themselves. In relation to the hypothesis, it is such filmic techniques that help the authors develop their story and in this type of shots, we are getting the impression the authors intended for us to be anxiously looking over the shoulder together with the characters. The last scene of the episode involves a debate. In his debate preparation Carcetti is distracted and pays more attention to a problem with his sons school fees. When pressed by his campaign manager Theresa DAgostino and Wilson he is able to come up with effective answers. During his preparation Carcetti gets a visit from Valchek who tells him about the recently murdered witness knowing that Carcetti can use it as ammunition in the debate. As the debate progresses, Carcettis team watches on television and are impressed with his answers. Carcetti delivers his carefully planned answer to Royces assertion that crime is down in Baltimore. Cutty watches from bed with a woman but soon turns over. The homicide unit listens as Carcetti delivers his trump card - the murdered witness. The detectives joke about Norris case making headlines. State delegate Odell Watkins seems impressed with Carcettis speech. The audience claps Carcettis answer as Burrell and Rawls worry about the backlash for them for their failure to tell the mayor about the witness murder. Royces response is labored and defensive, Carcettis team is pleased while Royces people seem worried. This dramatic dialogue scenes combined with the cinematography and the different view points help pass on the messages from the authors that this is a competition like no other with very high stakes. From this scene, there is a lot of visual cinematographic aspects and story telling aspects that are all a good example of the style that was used to make the episode so gripping. To start with, there are the points of view of the different characters; we are transported from the debate scene to the team watching the proceedings on television. Then we are taken to the debate venue again where this time we are shown the fidgety Royce and in a short span of time the audience can get the feeling of observing the whole scenario from the varied viewpoints of all those that are involved in one way or another. Mise-en-scene refers to the representation of space and how it affects the reading of a film. Depth, proximity, size and proportions of the places and objects in a film can be manipulated through camera placement and lenses, lighting, decor, effectively determining mood or relationships between elements in the diegetic world. In this episode, it is very evident how they employed these aspects to create an unforgettable image and story for the audience. The use of the cameras whether through placement or lenses helps to make the audience feel they are involved in a story that they can feel is real enough to them. This generates a feeling of ownership from the audience who feel the reality of the film puts them right in the mix of the plot and as such the story is a story of their cities other lives uncovered. The lighting and the strategic use of different elements like lighting combined with the settings helped to create the desired moods in the scenes involved. The editing done on the scenes also contributes to the overall feeling created as it tries to be as unobtrusive as possible and where it is overt, the feeling it conveys is so vivid that it only helps to further authenticate the story. This gives the audience a viewpoint that is so lifelike and unassuming that they get engrossed in the films themes and the message that the author intended is that the city is alive in its own way and the gears are turning. The audience cannot help but believe the machinations in the films plot are also happening in their real life city. The idea of the authors was to create a situation where the audience could feel reality and the film blurring and starting to merge and look the same. By now we agree with the hypothesis that the authors have succeeded in creating a highly authentic, documentary like experience using varied very effective filmic techniques, dialogue and character based actions. This experience helps to bring out the authors message which is in this case that Baltimore is a vibrant mix of politics, rivalry, sex, drama and utmost competition in all aspects of life. Read More