Aesthetically this films direction has suddenly fallen back into vogue with how a lot of thrillers (especially the independent thrillers) are being shot and lit now. Even though there is still that 80s film stock look the art direction,lighting and un-hollywood approach to its cinematography makes it suddenly hold up better than Red Dragon.
shareInteresting. Mann's films have a special way of being both "dated," or rooted firmly in their present moment, and yet timeless in their sleek, minimal approach. The other Lecter films, especially trash like Red Dragon, simply assault the audience with a quickly-cut barrage of wannabe-baroque imagery and emotionally manipulative scenes. Mann's more subdued aesthetic is the one that holds up over time.
shareExactly. Red Dragon is so laughably over produced and commercial by todays standards. Mann's sleek use of architecture, space, light etc. is timeless in this film. No one would ever mistake it for anything but an 80s film but the composition is still awe inspiring.
shareHow odd; have just watched it this minute for the first time in a ages, as prep for a podcast recording with friends next year, and I thought exactly as your post title has it - the obvious styling of the clothes (even Bowman's daft silk shirt has been considered) clashes with the deadly serious intent and very carefully UNstyled nature of the rest of the film (that is, it is stylish, yes, but non-specifcially so)
www.chrismrogers.net, a website for architecture and visual culture
The only negative is the music in the end. lol.
Y'know, I could eat a peach for hours
Heck I think some of the clothing choices work super well like the pastels the whole family is wearing toward the end at the beach. The whole color scheme works well in this film. ESPECIALLY WITH THE LIGHTS.
There was no tit for tat, Mr. Hero!
Had never heard of this film until the other day - HBO played it, and DVR'ed it on a whim.
Was blown away how thoroughly 80's it was, to the core, and I loved every bit of that! Actually made me nostalgic for the 80's when I was just a kid.
A well shot film. The visual flair does stand out.
shareI actually didn't find it 80s at all. It aged pretty well.
shareIt’s a great film!
share