Title & Opening Sequence Textual

Analysis Before I Go To Sleep (Joffe, 2014)

By Molly Meese

Before Go To Sleep - AnalysisI am going to be analysing the opening sequence for Before I Go To Sleep (Joffe, 2014). The film is a psychological thriller that creates a sense of mystery and confusion between the characters and audience right from the get go. By giving the audience very little information it forms the genre and sets the audience up for the themes that will occur, this same effect is desired to be achieved in our group opening sequence.

The first sighting of the movie is a black screen with the title written over it, this minimalistic effect creates a quiet, tense atmosphere for the audience with no film information, characters, or location just the title. There is neither diegetic or nondiegetic sound at this point, just silence and the contrasting white movie title on a deep dark screen, complementing the thriller aspect. This is later interrupted by more action on screen. The title moves into a blur effect with a unrecognisable shadowed effect behind it. Then audible sound begins to fade in with a low underwater hum, a ringing sound and female heavy breathing, the eerie and unstable effect adds to the theme. At this point it’s still not clear to the audience as to what is going on but with the small bits of information the are given they can begin to create ideas themselves.

The cross of diegetic and nondiegetic sounds then cut out to silence rapidly and the dark screen is replaced with an alarmingly open eye staring directly into the camera and at the audience. Then diegetic sounds entre such as heavy breathing and the quiet ticking of a watch. We are given this shot for a moment and then the camera begins to pan out revealing the character of screen, at the point the audience will of understood that this is the main character in the narrative. The canted pan out gives off the feeling of confusion which is clear in the characters emotions as well. The audience are given little information but it is very important and sets the scene up for development. The audience are being given as little information as possible to add to the tension and mystery, this plays on the psychological thriller aspect of the film.

During the silence we then are shown a point of view shot from the confused and nervous character we have been introduced to, with a frame going in and out of focus on a hand we see that she is not alone in the bed, this small amount of information again allows the audience to dictate their thoughts on the situation and what may occur next as the mystery builds. Slowly nondiegetic sound develops and enters the scene, the quiet and creepy sounds build the suspense. As the music build the scene does too, and the audience are able to see the characters building along with it. As the music becomes louder the character begins to try and come to terms with her surroundings and what's going on, much like the audience at this pinot as well. Both the audience and the characters have the same amount of information at this point.

The scene continues with the character trying to adapt to her surroundings and try to understand where she is, the audience begins to gain knowledge and dramatic irony begins to feed into the scene as the audience begins to learn and know more than the characters, this method creates a tense and on edge atmosphere for the audience. We as an audience don't know the full intentions of any of the characters but as more information is given plots can be made and the movie grows in narrative and in emotions.

Conclusion Overall, the suspense of not knowing exactly what is going on is captured in the opening sequence very successfully, in addition the tension is also raised through techniques on mise en scene, sound, editing and camerawork. The lack of information given to the characters and the audience builds up the mystery and suspense. The psychological aspect of the film is clearly displayed in the opening with the audience having to think for themselves in perhaps dangerous situation that they feel they have been put in by the atmosphere of the scene itself.