Analysis of Age of Innocence


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v9PApoaqa4

       I chose this scene from the Age of Innocence due to its complexity and Martin Scorsese's use of visual and filmmaking elements to tell us the story in a subtle manner. The scene starts with a long shot of Madame Olenska walking up the stairs, this establishes her as the subject of the scene as well as showing the viewer how impactful her entrance will be on the rest of the party. The music is also used in a great manner that hints the viewer into the reactions of the party once she enters. The next few shots show us what is happening in the room and we are even given a perspective shot from both Olenska and Newland Archer. This allows the viewer to see the party from the individual's perspective and it gives us insight into how important Newland and Olenska are to each other. The best part of this scene is the walk over by Olenska over to Newland who is across the room. Scorsese depicts Olenska as the center of this tracking shot and this shows that her actions are at the center of everyone's attention. The out of focus people in the back also let us into the psyche of madame Olenska.  She walks across with a confidence and does not care for the scrutiny and judgement of the others at the party. The next image we see is of Newland and Olenska sitting on the chair together, and this leaves the viewer with an image of a couple sitting together at the party. This image foreshadows the events that are about to unfold in the rest of this movie.

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