Get Out is a horror/psychological thriller film directed by Jordan Peele and is also his directorial debut. This film is a great example of using a typical genre of film, in this case horror, to help convey a particular idea, in this case the film's allegory being to do with racism and racial stereotypes. Peele almost subverts the general tropes of average, stereotypical horror movies as he doesn't rely on the use of the likes of jump scares, but instead uses general ideas and unnerving situations to make the audience feel scared and uncomfortable - which a topic like racial discrimination and stereotyping would make someone feel and so Peele uses the genre of horror to his advantage to help convey these ideas and unnerve the audience through the notions that he is portraying to the viewer. He also goes against a typical horror movie by adding some comedic and funny moments through the character of Rod, played by Lil Red Howery, and so it makes you question whether or not you should be laughing as you are experiencing some quite distressing scenes at the same time. Get Out features some terrific breakout performances from the likes of Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams who deliver some really great portrayals. The cinematography is also excellent and features some very nice and well shot scenes, which are accompanied with a chilling score from Michael Abels. The dialogue is very well written, as it doesn't reveal too much whilst still making hints, and so therefore allowing the audience to make their own assumptions without being explained everything in one scene, but having lots of scenes building to a reveal. However, the film should be praised more on its lack of dialogue, as the more revealing moments that help to further the plot and add a sense of mystery are told without being told, but instead are shown through actions from characters which give lots of intrigue which causes the audience to ponder what is happening and why it's happening. There are also some very small but detailed bits of symbolism in the film, for example towards the end of the film there's a short scene where a character is eating cereal and drinking milk - with the cereal (which is coloured) being separated from the milk (which is obviously completely white), and so that shows Peele's eye for detail and wanting to convey his ideas in even the smallest of ways. The only problem I had with Get Out was that towards the end of the film there's a scene which cuts between a comedic situation and another one that's very unnerving and uncomfortable, and so there is a very awkward and jarring shift of tones. In conclusion, Get Out is a brilliant film directed by Jordan Peele which brilliantly uses the horror genre to convey ideas instead of just using it for scares.
1 Comment
Duncan Raeburn
9/15/2017 12:22:59 am
Excellent job Eddie - perceptive and thoughtful. You apply your ideas about genre to generate interesting insights too. A confident and impressive debut: I look forward to more!
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December 2017
My Favourite Films:
The Breakfast Club (1989) Drive (2011) The Social Network (2010) The Dark Knight (2008) Empire Strikes Back (1980) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Taxi Driver (1976) Dr Strangelove (1964) Trainspotting (1996) |