Minority Report Frame Analysis

 

The Secret Life

In this image, the protagonist named John Anderton sets out late at night to acquire drugs from somebody in an alley. In the image we only see half of John Anderton’s face as half of his face is covered from the hood and the darkness that fills the air. The director intends for the reader to sense a dark and gloomy time for John Anderton as he pursues to purchase drugs. The director uses lighting, body language, and camera angles to portray the negativity and hopelessness that is within John Anderton’s life.

There are a lot of things to learn from the lighting in this still image. The entire background is pitch black with not a single object to be seen. This portrays the mystery and loneliness in John’s life. As a viewer, we are aware that John is lonely and has lost his wife and son, but the director leaves many details out. There seems to be a lot of confusion with John and the uncertainty of truth in his life. We notice John is doing lots of drugs, this can symbolize a negative time for him. In the frame, only part of John’s face is showing. This is another way to show the mystery behind John’s life as if he is hiding from something. The hood upon his head tells us he could be getting into some trouble. In this frame, the director also intends for the reader to sense a dark and gloomy time for John Anderton. He is the center of attention as he is framed in the center of the screen. The viewer is intended to direct their eyes on John and the facial expressions he is conveying. The director wants the viewers to solely see John and he purposely blocks off part of his face. This is why John is placed in the dead center of the frame and not off to the side. This gives us a very suspenseful and dark chilling image.    

Next, a lot can be depicted from the body language and camera work that makes up the frame. His eyes and lips give the viewer an impression of suspense. John looks slightly puzzled as he is looking to his side or possibly behind him. His mouth is slightly opened as both of these actions build lots of confusion and suspense. As the viewer, we are unable to see what is happening in the background or around John. We are not provided with much in the still image and this is done purposefully by the director. It’s another way for the director to tell us John doesn’t have much in his life anymore. He turned to drugs after the traumatic moments in his life involving his wife and son.

Another thing the director does to create a much more powerful frame is to use specific camera angles to have an everlasting effect on the scene. This image is an extreme close up as it only shows his face. The director also uses a high angle shot and slightly looks down on him. This is another reason that shows John is in a bad place. Being looked down upon demonstrates that John hasn’t been the same person he always has been and has disappointed many who counted on him.

Nearly every single thing in the frame is done with a purpose by the director.  From this image it can be seen that John Anderton is in a bad place in his life. This is depicted through the lighting, body language, and camera angles. The director adds each part of the scene to give the viewer a sense of what is happening. Not only by verbal cues, but by providing many other noticeable signs. These allow the viewers to understand the scene clearer and smoother.