Captain Fantastic Opening Analysis

 


The opening scene perfectly normalises the chaotic and tribe-like lives of the characters. For example, the scene starts of with a showcase of the wilderness: the abundance of the colour of green within the setting of the forest highlights the tranquil and peaceful tone of the scene, encouraging the audience to feel that way aswell. This only to be transgressed by the son hidden within the shot of the deer. This puts attention on the son, displaying how he is in control of the situation and the animal and perhaps symbolises his importance to the plot as he, out of all of the children is the most developed (he has romantic interest, is trying to go to college,e.t.c.). Furthermore, the focus on the son is punctuated when he attacks the deer. The quick editing of the attack quickly changes the tone of the scene to be intense and dangerous. This is emphasised by the lack of non-diegetic sound in the scene, as their is a focus on the cries of the deer, the slicing of knife and the heavy breathing of the boy, creating a tense and disturbing atmosphere. The colours of the forest is furthermore explored when their is a close up on the knife that is used to kill the deer; the red blood could symbolise the sacrifice of the deer, demonstrating the family's tribe-like lifestyle or the courage of the boy, explaining spiritual acceptance into a man. Furthermore, the green trees and bushes are showcased as the rest of the family is revealed. Their close and familiar proximity to each other symbolises their closeness domestically, only to be subverted when the father stands isolated from the other, potentially symbolising his disconnect from reality explored within the rest of the narrative, whilst the children (especially) the two sons long to be apart of it. The end of scene showing the family playing with each other in the water is a noticeable contrast to the rest of the scene, as it humanises them and establishes their closeness. Also the sudden use of music creates a whimsical and peaceful tone for the scene, going against the nature earlier in the scene.

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