Well, I had an essay due in a film class two weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to doing it. Actually, I've been thinking about what to write for some time, but I can't seem to think of what I want to do. I'm going to write about the use of color in Punch-Drunk Love- does anyone have some suggestions on what to say?
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I Need Help With An Essay On Punch-Drunk Love
- Thread starter bridegur
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Well, one of the first things I'd try to do was to note the use of weird rainbow effects and at what exact points they are used in the movie and try to understand some kind of meaning from it.
Here's what I've got so far, suggestions?
Wearing Blue and Seeing Red:
The Use of Color in Punch-Drunk Love
Using color to heighten emotion or show character traits in film is a delicate thing. In the wrong hands, color can be overused to the point where its obviousness can detract from a movie. Paul Thomas Anderson makes obvious use of color in Punch-Drunk Love, but wisely chooses to avoid using it as the only source for depth in the film. While combining colors in different points of the film with other aspects such as three-dimensional characters, lighting, humor, and sound, Anderson creates layers of depth that bolster one another for the good of the whole.
From the get-go, the film assaults the viewer with unconventional use of color. Barry Egan sits alone at his desk, clad in an unusually bright blue suit. It is here that one of Barrys character traits is exposed and accentuated by color. Like the hue of his suit and the blue painted stripe on the wall behind him, Barry recedes in a cool, unexcited manner. Isolated from the outside world, Barry is calm and comfortable as he clears up the confusion he has about the Healthy Choice airline promotion. It doesnt take long to bring him out of his comfort zone, however. After finishing his phone call, Barry walks down the alley outside of his business to the main road. As he stands there the quiet blue morning is interrupted by a red car crashing down the road in front of him. Suddenly a red cab pulls up, drops a harmonium in front of him and speeds off. After this bizarre turn of events, Barry is shown facing the camera, but the serene dark blue that surrounded him moments before is replaced by glaring white. The fairly collected Barry shown on the phone is gone, replaced by an awkward, out-of-place man who is clearly confused and uncomfortable. The blue suit comes into play again, but unlike earlier when it blends in with the surrounding blue paint by his desk, it exhibits Barrys feeling of being out of place in the situation when contrasted with the white that nearly envelopes him. White is a central color throughout the film, combining with the blue suit to demonstrate Barrys inability to blend in and feel comfortable. Another example of this is a situation after a window-smashing tantrum at his sisters home. Surrounded by white cupboards, Barry tries to confide a problem to his brother-in-law. Barrys sad attempt to glean psychological help from a dentist is once again stressed by the juxtaposition of his bright blue suit and the white room they stand in. He just cant seem to handle himself in the harsh social world of his life, and he stands out as does his suit.
Wearing Blue and Seeing Red:
The Use of Color in Punch-Drunk Love
Using color to heighten emotion or show character traits in film is a delicate thing. In the wrong hands, color can be overused to the point where its obviousness can detract from a movie. Paul Thomas Anderson makes obvious use of color in Punch-Drunk Love, but wisely chooses to avoid using it as the only source for depth in the film. While combining colors in different points of the film with other aspects such as three-dimensional characters, lighting, humor, and sound, Anderson creates layers of depth that bolster one another for the good of the whole.
From the get-go, the film assaults the viewer with unconventional use of color. Barry Egan sits alone at his desk, clad in an unusually bright blue suit. It is here that one of Barrys character traits is exposed and accentuated by color. Like the hue of his suit and the blue painted stripe on the wall behind him, Barry recedes in a cool, unexcited manner. Isolated from the outside world, Barry is calm and comfortable as he clears up the confusion he has about the Healthy Choice airline promotion. It doesnt take long to bring him out of his comfort zone, however. After finishing his phone call, Barry walks down the alley outside of his business to the main road. As he stands there the quiet blue morning is interrupted by a red car crashing down the road in front of him. Suddenly a red cab pulls up, drops a harmonium in front of him and speeds off. After this bizarre turn of events, Barry is shown facing the camera, but the serene dark blue that surrounded him moments before is replaced by glaring white. The fairly collected Barry shown on the phone is gone, replaced by an awkward, out-of-place man who is clearly confused and uncomfortable. The blue suit comes into play again, but unlike earlier when it blends in with the surrounding blue paint by his desk, it exhibits Barrys feeling of being out of place in the situation when contrasted with the white that nearly envelopes him. White is a central color throughout the film, combining with the blue suit to demonstrate Barrys inability to blend in and feel comfortable. Another example of this is a situation after a window-smashing tantrum at his sisters home. Surrounded by white cupboards, Barry tries to confide a problem to his brother-in-law. Barrys sad attempt to glean psychological help from a dentist is once again stressed by the juxtaposition of his bright blue suit and the white room they stand in. He just cant seem to handle himself in the harsh social world of his life, and he stands out as does his suit.
Mario_Hugo
Lisa Edelstein's dad touched my private parts. True fact.
Paul Thomas Anderson employed the colors as decided by art director, and painter (though his/her name escapes me). As per the film itself, it's a classic tap-dance love affair, but Barry is a sociopath. Anderson is tipping his brim to an era (the film is an off-kilter time piece), so you ought to consider it. I hope you also note the random alien/ufo lights throughout the film (which also reflect the era, mind you). Maybe take a look at Chevruel's color theories as to why certain colors are predominant. Blues, greens, yellows, all denote particular things. Luck.
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