tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424949226838748129.post9159296707161725973..comments2012-03-30T09:42:19.937-07:00Comments on Mandy Edmondson's AS Blog: Jackie Brown (1997)MandyEdmondsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13899328289233484756noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2424949226838748129.post-80053006637802531742012-03-25T12:01:29.386-07:002012-03-25T12:01:29.386-07:00My teacher posted this:
vmbJan 12, 2012 08:08 AM
M...My teacher posted this:<br />vmbJan 12, 2012 08:08 AM<br />Mandy I posted a long comment about your work on how Tarantino establishes character in Jackie Brown. Did you get this post through the school email system?<br />Reply<br />2. <br />vmbJan 12, 2012 08:47 AM<br />The soundtrack over the title sequence is a reference to the Blaxploitation films that Pam Greer starred in in the 1970's so the soundtrack is a homage to these films specifically a film called "Fox Brown"<br />You say... Jackie is walking the opposite way to everybody else walking in the shot. ..<br />Well done for identifying this aspect of mise-en-scene. I'd not noticed this before. Of course you are right, Jackie goes against the grain, she is not only smart and challenges the authority of the law and of the gangster Ordell Robbie, she also goes against the grain of the female archetype in thriller films. She outsmarts everybody, is independent and doesn't define herself through relationships with men; she challenges the conventional representation of women in mainstream films - she is black, middle aged and works for the worst airline in the USA. <br />The image of the Statue of Liberty and the gun blasting is an ironic reference to the USA's obsession with guns - here he's having a dig at the gun lobby.<br />Note contrast between the long title sequence where the focus is on iconic images of Jackie Brown who's body language indicates her status (as you've noted) and the slumped body language of Ordell and Louis. Immediately Tarantino establishes their characters as low life losers through the way they're sitting. Their attitude to women and guns also suggests impotence and immaturity. This is linked to Ordell's bling in the sequence when he shoots Beaumont, his costume here indicates his vanity whilst also linking him to the dress code of some wrap singers and hip hop artists some of whom are notorious misogynists. <br />Well done for identifying the purpose of the long shot of Ordell shooting Beaumont suggesting his detachment from reality (he can't look his victim in the face), his cowardice and lack of empathy - all the ingredients that indicate his psychopathic nature.<br />Splendid references to similar low angle shots from Tarantino’s repertoire - this indicates your engagement with research and understanding of the importance of inter textuality in films<br />Some promising work and indicating growing confidence in conceptual understanding. An interesting and intelligent post Mandy.MandyEdmondsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13899328289233484756noreply@blogger.com