Minority Report Frame Analysis
Right before the scene with this image, Anderton is at his lowest point. He is on the run from the department of Pre-Crime and is physically impaired by his recent eye surgery, but this scene is where it all changes. The authorities have John cornered, forcing him to stop running away and making him face this problem head on. From the end of this scene and onwards, Anderton actively tries to change his fate and prove his innocence. Spielberg’s use of framing in this image from the scene helps highlight this suspenseful metamorphosis John Anderton is undergoing as a character.
In this frame, Spielberg uses lighting and the rule of thirds to draw the viewer's attention to Anderton’s face. The top right intersection on the grid and Anderton’s head sit next to each other, letting the viewer know that this is the focus of the shot. Also, Most of Andertons body is obstructed by ice and dark lighting except for his chest and up that are lit up, further emphasizing the focal point of John’s head. The blindfold from Anderton’s eye surgery covers his eyes and a lot of his face. This cover over his face symbolizes how John is currently not facing his problems. However, the illuminated bathtub among an otherwise pretty dark frame shows that something is about to change Anderton for the better. His whole submerged body in the bathtub is like a caterpillar's cocoon; Once he comes out he will be a different person.
Once the viewer has looked at the focal point of this frame their eyes are drawn across the screen by a beam of light. This line of light starts very close to the Anderton’s head, so naturally after looking at John the light guides the viewer to the next focus of the shot. After following the beam of light, the focus of the shot shifts to the intruding spiderbot. The spiderbot is right next to the bottom left intersection lines on the grid and is shining a light in an otherwise dark room, confirming that this is what Spielberg wants the viewer to pay attention to. This spiderbot being present raises the stakes of this shot and adds a sense of suspense. Looking at him first, the viewer can see that Anderton is stressed because he can’t see, but the intruding spiderbot introduces a new level of stress to John as he now has to hold his breath. This adds a sense of suspense to the shot making the payoff of Anderton’s metamorphosis as a character, from a runaway to confronting his situation, feel more exciting.
Spielberg has managed to pack a lot into one single frame. At first glance, he draws the viewers focus from one point to another by using the rule of thirds and interesting lighting. Looking further at the image, he represents the change about to be seen in Anderton’s character by having him submerged in this cocoon like bath. On top of all this he is able to make the shot very suspenseful and visually appealing. This shot alone shows just how much skill Spielberg has at framing a shot to support his intended purpose.
I also Identified Anderton's face as the focal point of the shot. We both pointed out that the lighting around his face shows hope or something good is going to happen. I think overall we had pretty similar analyses. Phenomenal job on this analysis, Kyle. I give this one a gold star.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add another meaning of the contrast:
ReplyDeleteThe dirty apartment's yellows and browns are contrasted with the blues of the ice water. There is commotion outside the room while an eyeless man submerges himself in ice water, subjecting himself to multiple forms of sensory deprivation.
But yeah, I never thought about it as a metamorphosis or incubation.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Anderton is in a very low point of his life, surrounded by Pre-crime. The fact that his face is lit up is interesting and draws the viewer to his face like you mentioned. I never thought about the fact that his body is covered and you can only see his head which is a very nice observation. I like how you thought of the blindfold as a symbol that Anderton is hiding from his problems, and the bathtub's lighting means something will change. The idea of a metamorphosis is genius. Anderton goes into the bathtub as a coward and comes out as a new person. I also thought that the spiderbot added suspense and stress to the scene. All of the different aspects of the frame make Spielberg look like a genius. Overall this is a very good analysis.
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