MovieChat Forums > J. Edgar (2011) Discussion > Faces half in shadow

Faces half in shadow

posted 12 years ago by zeroapoc
6 replies | jump to latest

I realize that it was symbolism. But having everyone's faces half in shadow most of the movie got distracting for me after a while.

[–] TheCineSinge 12 years ago

Yeah, I didn't really like the way it was shot to be honest. The dull, muted colour palette got very uninteresting rather quickly.

I realise they were going for a specific style but, out of an all round mixed bag, I consider it one of the film's greater downfalls.

[–] lesdroits 12 years ago

I just posted a review and this was a major issue for me -- could hardly see parts of it! Hate this pseudo-artsy so-dark-can't-really-see current movie fad.

[–] chiado55 11 years ago

Agreed. Clint's a great actor and a stand up director but this is not his best movie.

The film will best serve as a test of black levels on plasma and lcd/led big screens. I spent the movie wondering if my eyesight or my tv was in need of repair. Neither its the cinematographer. This film need 2 stops more light. At midpoint I was begging for the movie's end. A shame really because Leonardo did a good job.

[–] Shuggy 11 years ago

The whole movie was half in shadow. I mean, sure, G-Men are as noir as they get, but nobody tries to read in that little light.

I think the colour-palette was supposed to change with the period: almost full colour for the most recent, almost monochrome for the earliest. It's true that dyes have got brighter towards the present day, and hence clothing etc. but not the whole world!

All that is visible must grow beyond itself...
http://www.cafepress.co.uk/ahua/8761658

[–] kinsayder 11 years ago

Well, the whole world got brighter and more colourful if you were viewing it through movies, TV and printed photographs.

The switch in colour grading was most noticeable in the racetrack scene when they suddenly went from a bright 60s style to a browner, less saturated image to indicate we were back in the 1940s.

I think they overdid the murkiness of the 30s and 40s scenes, though. It was tiring to look at. A crisp black-and-white style might have been better for those parts of the movie.

[–] kino66 9 years ago

But having everyone's faces half in shadow most of the movie got distracting for me after a while.

I consider it one of the film's greater downfalls.

Yes!! The dark lighting and the jumping time line made the film unwatchable for me. Great subject matter, flawed presentation.