Discuss how thriller codes and conventions are used in VERTIGO, SHUTTER ISLAND or MYSTIC RIVER to represent characters as morally ambiguous and socially or emotionally unstable.

There are many characters in many thriller films that are subject to change or fail as a result of many different factors. These characters can be represented as being volatile or contain such changeable characteristics stereotypically from the beginning of thriller films or throughout. There are also certain characters that are portrayed as doubtful or uncertain throughout the film in order to convey different perspectives of the thriller genre. In the film ‘Vertigo’ directed by Alfred Hitchcock, there are various instances of codes and conventions in which are used to represent individual characters as morally ambiguous and socially or emotionally unstable. These are predominantly conveyed through the characters Madeleine Elster, and John Ferguson. Hitchcock portrays the moral ambiguity and social/emotional instability through certain editing techniques, mies-en-scene camera shots/angles, sound, mood/tone, and character representation through out the film.

The various certain editing techniques used in the film are certainly used to convey some characters as morally ambiguous and socially or emotionally unstable. As can be seen through the way Hitchcock uses a Non linear editing sequence in the beginning of the film of a chase scene in the past then cuts to a conversation in art room in the presence. These flash backs are constantly used through the film and is stereotypical of thriller genre films. This editing convention conforms to the fact that the character Scotty which is the main character of the film portrays his story in a non linear way meaning that he could not have a straight path in life and rather a very disjointed one that could fall apart.

Hitchcock uses the character Scotty’s personal characteristics to also represent himself as physically and emotionally unstable. During the film, there is a jump cut to the point of view of Scotty looking down a building portraying Scotty’s greatest fear, which is heights. This fear of heights that plays a large part through the film and is Scotty’s greatest downfall. It is very stereotypical of certain protagonists to have a very failing quality that defines them. The film’s name ‘Vertigo’ sets up this concept from the start. Scotty’s characteristic of being in charge also represents his state of being socially unstable. As there is a perspective shot of the over the shoulder shot of Scotty talking Gavin Elster which was portraying Scotty as feeling smaller when he was offered a job to follow his wife. As Scotty was not a man who would be willing to take this type of job at the time. Which would soon become false as Scotty starts to become infatuated with Madaline.

There are certain scene in which contain both Scotty and Madaline were focus is used in detail to represent their characters in the perspective of other characters and to portray them as socially ambiguous. In the restaurant scene where Madeline enters the room and comes into focus, soft focused is used on her while hard focus is used on Scotty so that he is more emphasised. Which clearly conveys the fact that Scotty at the time was a more confident and put together character than Madaline. This almost binary opposite behaviour between the two would soon become the exact opposite. When the development of the plot occurs, the character Scotty starts to become infatuated and over obsessed with Madaline that he begins to lose his sense of reality.

The opening credit sequence of ‘Vertigo’ is very reflective of the thriller film itself. As it starts out with an unsettling score, and many different rotating symbols that could be representing/foreshadowing the morally ambiguous and socially unstable nature of certain characters in the film. Also, during the scene where Scotty is following Madalline, there are many POV shots driving and there is more eerie music occurring to portray how Scotty is becoming more abscessed with her. Characters are also constantly questioning themselves as Scotty is for his sanity. Which could be reinforcing the theme of reality and sanity in the film.

The Mise-en-scene that Hitchcock uses in the film certainly represent individual characters as morally ambiguous and socially or emotionally unstable. The use of Hitchcock’s colour pallets in shots and of different characters portray this in detail. As there is lot’s of red in the dining scene as well as a change in music from eerie to more orchestra violins. Which were used to present Madeline as a sort of lighter side to the film in the beginning. Madeline’s car is also green as well as her green dress. Which are to represent Madaline as morally ambiguous as green conveys truth and positivity. Scotty also wears green in the meeting scene which has connotations of positive and earthliness. However, in a different scene where Madeline wears red which has connotations of warnings. This binary opposite represents both characters and socially unstable as they are being represented as not meant for each other. Also, the use of Madeline’s red door connote warnings and caution. Madeline also wears blue and always wears different outfits which could make her seem to be considered as a femme fatal.

In conclusion, these different codes and conventions that were used in Vertigo to represent certain individual characters as morally ambiguous and socially or emotionally unstable were carefully portrayed in the film in detail. As the individual characters of certain characters such as Scotty and Madaline are both blatantly represented through the various camera shots, sound, lighting and mise-en-scene. Though some characters such Scotty were not at first, truly represented as their moral, social and emotional state. But then as the film developed, these more different states were revealed. These different concepts in thriller genre films can used to teach viewers that the true state of a character is not yet fully developed until the plot starts to unravel.