MovieChat Forums > Manhunter (1986) Discussion > The Lights

The Lights

posted 10 years ago by Ziglet_mir
12 replies | jump to latest

Anyone else take note of the incredibly vibrant color schemes that appear all over this film? I can't help but admire the moods each one puts you in and how gorgeous all the washes look in a handful of scenes. Like the tranquil-deep blue at Will's house, the white of the sanitarium, the steamy glow of the green that can be noted in most of Dollarhyde's scenes at home and at night, and finally the pinks and purples thrown in at the shootout? There may be a few other examples, but I just think it's so cool how the film's look is driven by the color scheme. Reminds me a lot of how Paris, Texas looks as a film. I'm sure you could find meaning behind why the colors are used when they are, but I can just appreciate it all from the simple perspective of what it adds to the atmosphere.

Just thought I'd share. Amazing example of fantastic lighting.

There was no tit for tat, Mr. Hero!

[–] PoppyTransfusion 10 years ago

Oh yes! Mann's artistry in the film, and that of his cinematographer, is superb. Everything astounds; the colours and light, the music and angles, the lingering camera on faces and bodies, the rapid quick fire shots etc and etc.

There used to be a thread here with examples of the camera angles and one of my favourites is the spiral, white staircase in the mental hospital where Will visits Lecktor. You barely see it as the film rolls but the stills show how the beauty of the stair case and the angle in which it was filmed.

A bird sings and the mountain's silence deepens.

[–] Ziglet_mir 10 years ago



That deep blue all over Kim Greist alone in bed makes me want to join her 

But seriously, I'm glad you appreciate the color scheme as well. That shot of Graham running out of the asylum is really great. My favorite scene where I think everything comes together is when Dollarhyde is watching Reba and her coworker walk to her doorstep. Fantastic blending of music, lighting, camerawork, and acting.

There was no tit for tat, Mr. Hero!

[–] PoppyTransfusion 10 years ago

That bedroom scene is amazing; the way the couple in bed in a room bathed in blue are surrounded by the ocean outside.

My favourite scenes in terms of light and colour: Will's reverie with Molly walking towards him with a pack of beer. The final scene where the couple and Kevin are on the beach - the pastel clothing, the yellow sand, the blue sky and the sea. Finally, my favourite scene of all, Reba and the tiger; the scene is so bright and Joan Allen's skin so beautiful as she caresses the sleeping tiger.

A bird sings and the mountain's silence deepens.

[–] Ziglet_mir 10 years ago

Yes! Those pastels! Definitely worth pointing those out. Those are all great scenes. I know a lot of people who like that tiger scene, but I've always found it random that Dollarhyde takes her there to do that. Even after multiple viewings I wonder why they do it. Am I missing something?!?!?!!??!?!?

Another interesting specific to point out is in Dollarhyde's bachelor pad he has a huge backdrop of what appears to be a barren surface, right? It reminds me a helluva lot like the planet Mars' surface. What do you make of this? Because I've always found that detail interesting.

There was no tit for tat, Mr. Hero!

[–] PoppyTransfusion 10 years ago

The tiger is a powerful beast. As Dollarhyde watches Reba caress the tiger he is imagining himself as the tiger. It does seem random to take her to the vets to see the tiger but Dollarhyde isn't normal!

I thought it was the moon although it is coloured red and green, if I remember rightly and so could be Mars. It is a strong visual that adds idiosyncratic style and fits with Shriekback's song 'This Big Hush' - is there a moon up there? and a fire in the sky. Psychologically it suggests Dollarhyde's remove from earthly humanity and his alienation, which fuels his rage and murderous fantasies so keenly portrayed in the scene you like so much where he observes Reba with their boss and 'sees' them kissing. Dollarhyde's perceptions are so distorted that it is as though he's on another planet.

I hope others chime in and respond to your Qs as everything can be seen in more than one way. I wish they would discuss this film rather than its comparison to Red Dragon ... *sigh*

A bird sings and the mountain's silence deepens.

[–] Ziglet_mir 10 years ago

HEYA POPPPPPPPPY

The tiger is a powerful beast. As Dollarhyde watches Reba caress the tiger he is imagining himself as the tiger. It does seem random to take her to the vets to see the tiger but Dollarhyde isn't normal!

Fair enough! He definitely isn't normal!

I thought it was the moon although it is coloured red and green, if I remember rightly and so could be Mars. It is a strong visual that adds idiosyncratic style and fits with Shriekback's song 'This Big Hush' - is there a moon up there? and a fire in the sky. Psychologically it suggests Dollarhyde's remove from earthly humanity and his alienation, which fuels his rage and murderous fantasies so keenly portrayed in the scene you like so much where he observes Reba with their boss and 'sees' them kissing. Dollarhyde's perceptions are so distorted that it is as though he's on another planet.

Not for nothing I actually study Earth and Planetary Science in school. From what I recall the backdrop definitely has red material, and the Moon definitely lacks that trait. This is why my mind went directly to Mars, however whether it's the Moon or Mars it doesn't matter for the reason it's relating to Dollarhyde's character. I did manage to make the connection that he's quite the alienated individual too.

I hope others chime in and respond to your Qs as everything can be seen in more than one way. I wish they would discuss this film rather than its comparison to Red Dragon ... *sigh*

So true, my friend, so true... But alas, our spirit will keep the Manhunter bored alive! Let's bring the people back to 1986!

There was no tit for tat, Mr. Hero!

[–] PoppyTransfusion 10 years ago

Not for nothing I actually study Earth and Planetary Science in school. From what I recall the backdrop definitely has red material, and the Moon definitely lacks that trait.

Then I defer to you. Still fits with the fire in the sky lyric and Mr D as alienated from humanity, including his own.

I might add that Manhunter, amidst the murder and chaos, is a very sexual film because it's exploring the psychosexuality of a serial killer and that of the poor guy responsible for finding him. Not for anything does Lounds ask Graham about his sex life! Dollarhyde picks a tiger, about which William Blake wrote a poem as well as his Red Dragon painting. Graham looks after the turtle babies. Lots of room for imagination and comment there. The hunter/predator/loner versus the nurturer/vulnerable etc.

I think the lighting of the film, returning to your thread title, contributes to the alienation/sexuality-intimacy at play within the film and amongst the characters.

A bird sings and the mountain's silence deepens.

[–] Ziglet_mir 10 years ago

I think the lighting of the film, returning to your thread title, contributes to the alienation/sexuality-intimacy at play within the film and amongst the characters.

Absolutely! Sexuality is a huge part of this film, and seeing it from two perspectives is quite unique.

I also think this is where a lot of people who find the film outdated tend to chime in. Even though the lighting is a big portion of the film as well as the color schemes, I think many people view it as a segment taken straight out of the 80's and that's why many people don't view it as highly as you and I do. For example, the way you pointed out the pastels on the beach many people would not notice it like that and say "Ick, the 80's were a time of strange fashion." I don't know if I'm really on to something but I feel that that's what it's like.

I guess some people won't like a film if it's from an era they don't already like such as those who won't watch silent films or people who won't watch anything pre-color, etc.

There was no tit for tat, Mr. Hero!

[–] guigui-paul 10 years ago

"My favourite scenes in terms of light and colour: Will's reverie with Molly walking towards him with a pack of beer. Finally, my favourite scene of all, Reba and the tiger"

I love both of these scenes.
The reverie in the plane is haunting, i think that Will looking at his wife in his dream has something ambiguous:
he has some desire for her obviously but also, maybe, a desire to kill here (in the dream)?
I say that because Petersen's stare is ambiguous and this dream scene is born for him looking in the plane at...dead bodies!

The tiger scene is a classic, the love scene between Dollarhyde and Reba too.

Have you seen "Blackhat", Michael Mann's new film??
There"s a lust/desire scene early at the beginning, in a cab ride, that looks a bit like the pre-love scene of "Manhunter": Mann directs both scenes in tight close up of girl's'mouth, parts of their bodies, etc.
I strongly recommend to you "Blackat", it's not Mann's best film, not as endlessly fascinating thriller as "Manhunter", but it's still underrated with great flashes of direction and visuals!

http://www.myspace.com/guillaumep
http://darioargentofr.blogspot.com/

[–] Ziglet_mir 8 years ago

he has some desire for her obviously but also, maybe, a desire to kill here (in the dream)?
I say that because Petersen's stare is ambiguous and this dream scene is born for him looking in the plane at...dead bodies!

This is an incredibly interesting point. His stare is definitely ambiguous and adds to the premise of how Graham tries to be in the mind of the killer; think like the killer. Super cool catch, my friend!

How's Annie? How's Annie? Hahaha, How's Annie? 

[–] guigui-paul 8 years ago

Thanks Ziglet_mir!
Will's stare in the dream scene is more or less the same stare he has after the dead woman with the "silver in the mirror eyes" looked at him in the house...in both cases, Will's stare is a bit unsettling...great Petersen's performance in this film.

[–] uzielis 8 years ago

I so fxxxing agree! The fact that it was shot in the mid-1980s, when the beauty and the colors of that fantastic decade was nearly at its peak, helps a LOT. Not only was the music good, but the colors of the clothing.