Gran Torino Film Opening Analysis

Opening Titles

• The introduction starts with a unusual look at the Warner Bros. logo.

• Here suggests that the black and white logo shown links to the story of Walt Kowalski stuck in his mind of the 1950s and creates a instant mood of concealment for the film which slowly gives you the idea of a establishing genre.

• The message communicated is of a dark and mysterious one giving the viewer a good first loom at what the film is presenting

Opening Titles

• The titles obscurely dissolve away into the next one, suggesting to us that it is trying to tell that the mood is now setting towards a negative or unsure one.

• On top of this, the theme song of the film starts lightly playing and creates a another atmosphere of a saddened emotional feel that makes the viewer take the time to think.

• This is shown in the first few seconds of the film and shows that you are getting a message across already.

Opening Titles• The music is a instrumental tune from the

theme song. The song sets a relaxing mood as it is slow and leisurely in its sound.

• This suggests that the film has soul emotion in it even from the dark first appearance of the film.

• The film’s name is shown: • This title appearance shows just before the

first scene creating the last set mood for the viewers to feel. The title’s font is of a metallic one where it shows the effect of a rustic view.

Camera Shots

• The first scene starts with a establishing shot of a church in a urban area to set the main scene. This shot lasts for around 5 seconds so it gives a good look and idea of what is to come in the next scene.

• The shot moves to a mid shot of a victor playing a organ in the church. This suggests that there is some kind of a assembly in there, therefore setting the scene.

Camera Shots

• The next shot then comes to another establishing shot in the church where it shows people gathering for a funeral. This shows evidence towards the emotional atmosphere made at the start.

• A panning shot occurs when a elderly man gets up from his seat and walks to the main character. This pan follows him until it comes to a picture of the woman who passed away which it then slows down as it goes passed. This suggests more evidence towards the unsure mood and atmosphere and shows a sign of respect.

• The panning shot moves from the picture to the main character to suggest that she was part of him and has now gone away. This creates a emotional response towards the main character.

• The panning shot stops at Walt Kowalski, the main character, where it shows him in mid shot over the other mans shoulder. This is done so you can see his body language and his responses towards the situation.

Camera Shots

• A close up shot is used to show his hatred glare to one of the kids at the funeral as she comes in to sit down wearing inappropriate clothing for a funeral. This shows his facial expressions in great detail.

• Another panning shot is used to show the conversation between Walt’s two sons. This is used to show there confusion on what to do with Walt now his wife has passed away.

Camera Shots

Editing • The editing is slow in the parts where the film gives ideas about the film • The slow editing sets the right mood of a emotional atmosphere and feel to the film.• The film uses fast cuts where frustration, anger and disappointment is shown in

Walt’s view.

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Sound

• The sound in the opening title are very light hearted suggesting that it is trying to set a mood with the viewer.

• The this is non-diegetic music where it is being played before the first scene even starts.

• The non diegetic music turns into diegetic sounds when the first scene comes on. This sound is where birds can be heard outside the church and a organ being played in the background inside the church

• The clothing shown in the opening suggests to us different contrasts between the different age groups.

• The younger generations where clothes that are not suitable for their grandma’s funeral. They are shown wearing casual clothing like sports tops and jeans. This shows little respect from younger people showing a stereo type of the generation

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene

• The clothing that the adults and the elderly wear is formal which implies that they have the right knowledge of how to behave. This suggests that they have respect towards the situation.

• The way that the different generations behave is largely different. The older, elderly generation seem to have a lot more understanding and respect towards the funeral unlike the middle generations.

• The middle generation seem to have less respect as some are seen using their phones.

• This generation is also seen having respect when some of them are crying.

• This suggests that there is some contrast between different types of people in that generation.

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene

• The younger generations show little respect as Walt glares at them as they come in as they are.

• They show little interest in what they are attending and Walt's looks them down as being the older more wiser character.

Mise-en-scene

• The goes along side the establishing shot where it also helps to set the scene and mood to the viewer of a emotional atmosphere.

• The sound of the organ then goes into full effect when the camera enters then church. This makes the viewer think of emotions towards the people in morning.

• The organ gets louder as Walt is seen and is angry about the situation of his passing which gives the viewer sympathy towards him.

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