Brick

Brick is a 2005 American neo-nior film writted and directed by Rian Johnson. The title refers to a block of heroin, compressed roughly to the size and shape of a brick. Neo-nior is a style often seen in modern otion pictures and other forms that prominently utilize elements of film noir.

Our group watched Brick together in class and made notes during, due to watching it in class we had to watch it split up in several sessions. This made the film slightly confussing. Whilst watching the film I made notes on the 6 key elements; mise-en-scene, camera work, editing, sound, characters and narrative.

Characters

- Brendan; main character and detective, although he looks small and timid is actually very strong.

- Emily; The girl Brendan loves however, she ends up dying.

- The Brain; Brendan's only true friend, helps him with his investigations (mainly only heard on the phone not seen)

- Laura; the rich girl, femme fetal, double crosses Brendan.

- Tug; initiator, crime bosses hench man, confussing character.

- The Pin; Crime boss, drug dealer.

Mise-en-scene

- Cigarette with an arrow on it (Laura giving Brendan clues)

- Leftlet/invitation with an arrow on it (Laura giving Bredan clues)

- Laura wearing red; seductive and dangerous

- Single shot lighting used throughout; sun, car lights, street lights etc.

- Brendan wears a modern version of a beige mac, this is because it is neo-nior and not film noir.

Camera work

- Zoom on note with a bridge scetch drawing of a hafl circle and a line through it and midnight written below with clock in the background changing to 12:00 out of focus.

Editing

- The image which was a point of view shot of Brandan looking at 'The Pin' was blurred when he had his glasses of but in focus once he put his closes on again this was a point of view shot. I really liked this editing and I think it added a lot of effect.

Sound

- Throughout the film there is non diegetic music, this was accoustic/procussion music with bells. This was used to add tension.

- Voice overs where used to depict an argument but allow the film progress this is a good time saving technique.

- Diegetic sound of a match being stricked was used, this was seen by a small ball of orange light. This was edited to make it louder and more noticable to the viewer.

Narrative

- The films narritive centers on a detective story that takes place in a california suburban. Most of the characters are still in high school.

- Its a race against time for Brendan to find his friend, unfortunally he is not quick enough and she is murdered. This leads brendan to the drug underworld and fights start to take place. He double crosses the bad guys so that they get caught by the police, whilst setting up all of this the femme fatal of the movie Laura goes behind all of their backs but brendan is on to her and sets her up right at the end by planting all the drugs in her school locker.