The camera really was a fabulous narrater for me in this movie. Cinematography told a story beyond the characters. The extreme long shot when Chris is dropped off for the last time to walk the rest of the way on his journey is awesome. It really gives the audience a sence of what Chris has set out to do. His intension of living a simple life alone in the wilderness was intensified in this scene by the camera shot. The long shots in general really show big sky and huge amounts of lonely landscape and nature. Even though they are long, wide angle shots, it really gives a scence of what Chris is feeling and what he is seeing. Almost as if the audience is seeing what he sees.
A close up shot of Chris after he shot the Moose shows the audience the extreme emotion he is experiencing. The tears in his eyes and the sadness on his face wouldn't have been as obvious from a different angle or lense.
The most intense low angle shot was the end of the movie when Chris was dying. He is laying on the bus looking up at the clouds. The use of this shot shows the viewer the universe is calling him home with the camera. What an awesome frame. The directer wanted us to know Chris was at peace by the use of this camera angle. He really was trying to see the good in his parents when death was at his door. He even has a smile on his face knowing that death is close and he is alone.
Jill Loucks
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Well said, Jill! You use the technical terms mixed with creative interpretations, and I think you are exactly right when you allude to the fact that the cinematography is subjective to the character's emotions. We get a sense of how he must have FELT when walking out there alone, or even when poisoned - the shots become claustrophobic, panicky, and we even get dutch angles. Excellent journal this week, thanks!
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