Media Assignment: Maltese Falcon

Media Assignment: Maltese Falcon Opening Sequence

Connor Cushingham/

 

The sequence opens with four establishing shots of the Golden Gate Bridge and the general skyline of San Francisco, with the first shot captioned “San Francisco” to indicate the location if the viewer did not recognise the Golden Gate Bridge as a landmark.

 

The shot then changes to a tilt downwards towards a middle shot of a man with sleek black hair preparing a cigarette, focusing deeply. The cigarette connotes to generic Film Noir traits typical of a hardboiled detective enveloped in their work. He is wearing what appears to be a smart suit with his hair gelled back, quite generic physical traits of a film noir detective. The man responds to nothing saying “Yes sweetheart” while still focusing on his cigarette, implying he was aware of his secretary’s presence in the room but didn’t make direct eye contact on purpose, this implies that he has a cool nature and is constantly aware of his surroundings, which connotes to the generic personality trait of a veteran detective. The use of the word “sweetheart” is quite patronising in reference to his secretary, it is a common pet name used in Film Noir to generally demean women and make the man seem like the stronger role. The next shot is an over the shoulder mid shot of the secretary. The lighting in the shot is coming from the right side of the room, presumably from an open window and potentially through some blinds due to the sprays of light on the secretary. The character of the secretary is quite generic to film noir and displays positive helpful characteristics aimed at the hero, implying she has an interest in him. This is also evident in the Maltese Falcon, in clichés this character would be the logical romantic choice for our detective to aim for. There is then a medium close up shot of the secretary, showing us a better look at her face and allowing us to register what kind of role she plays. The detective continues to use demeaning pet names for the secretary such as “darling”, this may connote the idea that they are involved in a relationship however that doesn’t seem to be the case due to the secretary’s reference to the incoming femme fatale character who she describes as a “knockout”. The detective’s pet names are solely for the purpose of patronising the woman, making her seem inferior to him, but also to suggest some level of understanding and friendship. The term “knockout” used by the secretary also connotes the idea that the incoming character will be quite attractive and taking from generic film noir traits the audience may be able to deduce that it is the femme fatale from this information. When the detective asks the secretary to let in the new character there is a shot which could be considered a shot reverse shot, changing from the two characters to indicate a conversation and continuity in the area.

 

As the femme fatale character enters there is another over the shoulder middle shot, however this time of the femme fatale rather than the secretary. At this point the detective stands up, while the frame still stays at his shoulder. This connotes that the femme fatale character is important as the detective is rising to greet her, whereas with his secretary he remained seated and did not even make eye contact with her once. This also connotes that the detective is disinterested in the secretary despite her ideal character traits for a romantic involvement and may imply that the detective could be more so drawn in by the femme fatale. The moment the femme fatale character arrives we can tell without even knowing her character’s role that she is quite important and probably wealthy. Her large fur coat definitely connotes some form of wealth, as well as her velvet hat which means she is quite important. The moment she opens her mouth we can sense a tint of an accent, perhaps a British accent. The British accent connotes to high class and wealth due to their relation to Queen Elizabeth and the British history of monarchy. There is a two shot of the detective and the femme fatale, showing that they are engaging in conversation.

 

The femme fatale acts very out of breath and hasty; making her seems quite frantic and inferior due to her lack of composure. This connotes a sense of helplessness due to her immediate need of assistant. The female fatale presents her enigma to the detective, which is what starts of the plotline to the movie, throughout this there is an over the shoulder shot of her from the detective’s back. Throughout her frantic explanation the woman scarcely makes eye contact with the detective, often looking around the room as she lingers on with her description. This connotes the idea that her speech is rehearsed, her tone of voice seems faked too, being constantly at a loss of breath to seem repetitively surprised to make her story seem more believable or pitiful. The femme fatale also questions her actions, asking for some approval from the detective, this connotes the stereotype of helpless woman and a commanding man who knows all the answers, needing confirmation and approval from a man. This is done on purpose from the femme fatale’s general role as a character, as she purposely makes herself out to be weak and helpless, while also wealthy and attractive so to lure in a man such as the detective and sway them to get close to themselves and feel the need to help them.