Phonebooth
Phone Booth, a 2003 American suspense/psychological thriller production is directed by Joel Schumacher. This thriller consists of a slick New York publicist who picks up a ringing receiver in a phone booth and is told that if he hangs up, he'll be killed... The little red light from a laser rifle sight is proof that ‘the caller’ isn't kidding. Stuart Shepard played by Colin Farell finds himself trapped and helpless as he is to obey the antagonist’s commands or else...
Within this production we see an avoidance of darkness and shadows, which is a convention usually displayed in thriller films. As the movie is based in broad daylight it is obvious that due to the being of natural lighting artificial lighting is not needed. Natural lighting also helps portray a clear vision of emotions that the victim is suffering.
Time codes in Phone Booth differentiate, a common convention of thriller films as well as the audience being positioned in a passive state of confusion. The audience is made to feel sorry towards the vulnerable character that is unable to save himself from the absurd commands of the antagonist. Furthermore, flashbacks and quick passed editing are rife throughout. Phone Booth predominantly subverts micro conventions of thriller films, it quite possibly could be described as a psychological thriller however small aspects such as the it being told from the killers point of view suggests that it does typically fit into this sub-genre. The use of P.O.V shots have a great influence upon this film as they indicate ambiguity towards a problem that is to be solved. Also these shots specifically conduct suspense, commonly related to the mystery genre.
Phone Booth as a title for this thriller film is rather simple and straightforward. The location/setting is given away as the audience is aware that this movie will predominantly be based in relation to a phone booth. The film title being positioned in a slanted manner, out of the norm, suggests mysteriousness.
The antagonist within Phone Booth is known as ‘the caller’ and is given a hidden identity. The mystery continues as neither are we introduced or visually capture any sight of this evil guy, but simply form a relation with him through listening to his distorted voice throughout the movie. He is successful in captivatating his victim mentally which creates an effect upon the victim physically. As the antagonist is not seen throughout the film this builds confusion for the audience creating enigma. The antagonist could be given a description of a psychotic man as he commands ‘stu’ orders to be fulfilled/obeyed by the innocent victim. ‘The caller’ has the ability to easily manipulate his target by taking granted of his weakness- his wife and girlfriend, from an illegitimate relationship.
In Phone Booth there is not really a specific protagonist as the protagonist usually turns out as the hero in the ending. However Phone Booth finishes on a cliff hangers, which leaves the audience with no source of knowledge as to who the protagonist may have been.
Staurd Shepard could possibly play the role of a protagonist as he victimised by the antagonist. Stuard Shepard is a character of innocence but is merily deceiving towards his marriage. As he is targeted he begins to speak the truth and confess his disloyality towards his wife, he begs for forgivness and is taken further advantage of by the antagonist.
The film is set on the busy streets of New York, with thousands passing by. The liveliness of this renowned city distinguishes against the intense narrative of this production.
Joel Schumacher, effectively uses the technique of screen splitting in several scenes in Phone Booth. His use of this technique is successful in portraying the different actions happening. To exemplify this we have the victim, vulnerable and trapped within the Phone Booth against the World who is assuming he is the ‘bad guy’ another example would be the split screen of three different news channels reporting on this incident taking place and the victim innocently standing with a weapon in his hand. Editing varies as to how the character is physically feeling. For example as Stuard begins to breath heavily and becomes rather nervous we have jump cuts from him to the busy streets of New York, windows of apartments-possibly were the antagonist could be hiding and shots of crowds that have gathered to figure what is happening.
Music is commonly added into thriller films to create a specific mood or atmosphere. Ironically contrapuntal music is used which creates a calm, relaxing mood, this contrasts against the thriller genre as calmness and relaxation are the least of the protagonist’s and the public’s worries. Furthermore, we are introduced to ambient sounds. The sound of heart beating gradually increasing as the movie progresses, it illustrates the change in the victim's pulse rate as well as his nervousness and vulnerability as he becomes weaker and weaker towards the end.
Camera work is a significant element employed in this film. As the variety of camera techniques help build and portray different emotions, actions, details etc. High angles are a common feature depicted in thriller films. High angle shots in Phone Booth of the victim represent his weakness and vulnerability. It also creates an illusion of captivity as he is surrendered by an unknown person as well as his inner guilt of deceiving his wife.
Furthermore, the rough and edgy framing relates to the dangerous and unusual circumstance that is taking place. In addition the change in camera shots builds to the confusion and suspense.
CONTRABAND
Contraband is a fast paced American action crime thriller film. It is about a man Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) trying to stay out of a world he worked so hard to leave behind and the family he’ll do anything to protect. He has a wife Kate and their two sons in New Orleans. They learnt that Kate’s brother, Andy was smuggling drugs, but dumped them in the Mississippi River during a surprise inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The narrative centre’s around a crime the protagonist’s brother-in-law committed and the antagonist who wants his cash back and would do anything to get it.
The protagonist Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) left behind a life of smuggling and crime to become an honest family man. His brother-in-law was involved in a failed drug deal and Chris was forced to settle the debt Andy had incurred. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembled a crew with the help of his best friend, Sebastian, for one final run to Panama and back, hoping to return with millions of counterfeit money.
The antagonist Tim Briggs is an ex-felon and a mobster operating in the roughest neighborhoods of New Orleans. After Andy’s drug deal failed, Briggs threatened to kill Chris’ family if Andy does not give him $700,000. Briggs would stop at nothing until he gets what Andy owes him.
The title of the thriller “Contraband” relates to the crime Chris is involved in, which is making counterfeit/fake money. The title gives the audiences a slight idea of what the film is about. The protagonist will be seen in peril in several occasions. An example of this was when Tim Briggs held a gun to Chris, threatening to kill him and his family if he does not get his money. The narrative presents ordinary situations in which extraordinary things happen when Kate’s phone rang and Tim drove right into her office. This builds up tension and creates emotions that the audience feels.
The micro elements contribute to build up the suspense in the action crime thriller. There are lots of close ups used within the film, focusing on the protagonist and his family when they're in some form of danger. a fast paced soundtrack also reflects the action crime thriller. This happens when something serious is about to take place, which leaves the audience anxious and anticipated for the next line of action. The lighting used is mostly low key which adds to the suspense of the film and gives the scenes a realistic feel.
In conclusion, both Phonebooth and Contraband have similar traits found in action thriller films. Both protagonists race against the clock to protect people they love. They both contain large scenes of violence (including large amount of guns and set pieces of action) and of course the obvious antagonists. Phonebooth and Contraband both include fast paced music which contributes to the action. In both these films, the protagonists are male characters and they have similar motives such as money, secrets etc.
Contraband is a fast paced American action crime thriller film. It is about a man Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) trying to stay out of a world he worked so hard to leave behind and the family he’ll do anything to protect. He has a wife Kate and their two sons in New Orleans. They learnt that Kate’s brother, Andy was smuggling drugs, but dumped them in the Mississippi River during a surprise inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The narrative centre’s around a crime the protagonist’s brother-in-law committed and the antagonist who wants his cash back and would do anything to get it.
The protagonist Chris Farraday (Mark Wahlberg) left behind a life of smuggling and crime to become an honest family man. His brother-in-law was involved in a failed drug deal and Chris was forced to settle the debt Andy had incurred. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembled a crew with the help of his best friend, Sebastian, for one final run to Panama and back, hoping to return with millions of counterfeit money.
The antagonist Tim Briggs is an ex-felon and a mobster operating in the roughest neighborhoods of New Orleans. After Andy’s drug deal failed, Briggs threatened to kill Chris’ family if Andy does not give him $700,000. Briggs would stop at nothing until he gets what Andy owes him.
The title of the thriller “Contraband” relates to the crime Chris is involved in, which is making counterfeit/fake money. The title gives the audiences a slight idea of what the film is about. The protagonist will be seen in peril in several occasions. An example of this was when Tim Briggs held a gun to Chris, threatening to kill him and his family if he does not get his money. The narrative presents ordinary situations in which extraordinary things happen when Kate’s phone rang and Tim drove right into her office. This builds up tension and creates emotions that the audience feels.
The micro elements contribute to build up the suspense in the action crime thriller. There are lots of close ups used within the film, focusing on the protagonist and his family when they're in some form of danger. a fast paced soundtrack also reflects the action crime thriller. This happens when something serious is about to take place, which leaves the audience anxious and anticipated for the next line of action. The lighting used is mostly low key which adds to the suspense of the film and gives the scenes a realistic feel.
In conclusion, both Phonebooth and Contraband have similar traits found in action thriller films. Both protagonists race against the clock to protect people they love. They both contain large scenes of violence (including large amount of guns and set pieces of action) and of course the obvious antagonists. Phonebooth and Contraband both include fast paced music which contributes to the action. In both these films, the protagonists are male characters and they have similar motives such as money, secrets etc.
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