Film Analysis http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0El-Q1movtc/R1B3v0yiW-I/AAAAAAAAAO8/BBtgNoniCBU/s1600-R/manhattan_quote_art_320_B.jpg
Manhattan, a combination of Allen's previous films, Interiors and Annie Hall, does not stray off the path of his other films when considering all the filming aspects he utilizes. The first technical aspect to this movie is the fact that it is in black and white. Allen chose to shoot in black and white in order to give New York a greater and more elegant look, which I think he did a phenomenal job of doing! The scenes are characterized exactly how I picture New York: crowds, traffic, construction, smoke, drugs, and a significant amount of garbage. There are other things that also seem characteristic of the busy burrow of Manhattan, including loud music, brick walls, spiral staircases, book everywhere, and an excessive amount of honking.
When there is no talking, there is music playing, which helps to set the mood. This music is his typical jazz / clarinet themed music, similar to all his other films. This was particularly important in one scene, when the camera continues to show multiple dates, with music in the background to match the character’s attitudes. Another scene it stands out in is at the end, when Isaac chases Tracy as she is about to leave (a clip of this is at the very bottom of the page). Here, there is upbeat music as he runs, exaggerating his urgency, and then as she leaves him and he is left there, the music is slow and depressing. In addition, he uses sound effects, like during an awful storm; he has very loud thunder playing outside.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_%28film%29
When there is no talking, there is music playing, which helps to set the mood. This music is his typical jazz / clarinet themed music, similar to all his other films. This was particularly important in one scene, when the camera continues to show multiple dates, with music in the background to match the character’s attitudes. Another scene it stands out in is at the end, when Isaac chases Tracy as she is about to leave (a clip of this is at the very bottom of the page). Here, there is upbeat music as he runs, exaggerating his urgency, and then as she leaves him and he is left there, the music is slow and depressing. In addition, he uses sound effects, like during an awful storm; he has very loud thunder playing outside.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_%28film%29
Filming Techniques
As previously mentioned, there is always an array of filming techniques in Woody Allen's films. Serious scenes inside, ones with deep conversations or romantic drive, were simply lit by the light from outside and perhaps one light in the room. In the most intimate scenes indoors, simply a single candle, helping to intensify the mood, may light the room . In intimate outdoor scenes, there was again only the light from the stars, allowing only the outline of their faces to be seen.
Apart from this, there is a vast array of other techniques. One of which is alternating screens. This occurs when Isaac and Yale are talking on the phone and the camera continues to switch between the two characters so while they never directly mention that they are on the phone with the other, the camera switching between the two makes it obvious, in an indirect way. Another technique, which I found very powerful, is the use of the camera as an additional character. In the midst of a conversation in an intimate scene, Mary is talking, eventually stops talking, and turns off the light as she turns around to spot the camera, which was acting like another character. When the camera enters, she does not want this "extra character" to hear what she is saying, resulting in her turning off the lights to make it more private. One last interesting filming technique was as Isaac records himself onto a cassette player through a microphone, the camera actually sits directly inside the cassette player, looking out to him. This is an interesting way to present this scene, from the perspective of the inanimate object. These small filming aspects help make this film more appealing, apart from just the plot line.
Apart from this, there is a vast array of other techniques. One of which is alternating screens. This occurs when Isaac and Yale are talking on the phone and the camera continues to switch between the two characters so while they never directly mention that they are on the phone with the other, the camera switching between the two makes it obvious, in an indirect way. Another technique, which I found very powerful, is the use of the camera as an additional character. In the midst of a conversation in an intimate scene, Mary is talking, eventually stops talking, and turns off the light as she turns around to spot the camera, which was acting like another character. When the camera enters, she does not want this "extra character" to hear what she is saying, resulting in her turning off the lights to make it more private. One last interesting filming technique was as Isaac records himself onto a cassette player through a microphone, the camera actually sits directly inside the cassette player, looking out to him. This is an interesting way to present this scene, from the perspective of the inanimate object. These small filming aspects help make this film more appealing, apart from just the plot line.
Shot Reverse Shot http://www.standbyformindcontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/woody-allen-e-meryl-streep-in-manhattan-26395.jpg?9d7bd4
A decent amount of the conversations between Isaac and Tracy are shown with a shot reverse shot. This is when one character is shown looking at another and then the camera switches to the other character looking back at the previous character. The switching of the camera between the characters is used to show a conversation. The audience can conclude that the characters are looking at each other through this technique.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_reverse_shot
Watch the example below!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_reverse_shot
Watch the example below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLkUHZ1qips
Spivack's View http://swoonsandsnarls.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/22_manhattan_lg1.jpg
After reading many different reviews on this movie, I believe there is a universal liking for this film. One review stood out in particular to me, written by Avi Spivack. There are some very interesting points worth taking a look at. Check it out: http://www.thefilmjournal.com/issue8/manhattan.html
Personal Reflections http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9MsKIT5AAAE/TOH8DlaRu5I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/wzRmX_9gDT8/s1600/person-thinking.gif
To begin, this movie brings a whole new prospective to Manhattan. In fifth grade I visited this burrow with my family and wasn't a huge fan, but this movie makes me want to go back and see it again because Allen portrays it as a truly beautiful and fascinating city. This movie also has a lot of neat, deeper meanings, including the true nature behind people, relationships, and even human nature as a whole. I found some of the best quotes in this movie (look below!)
"Not everyone gets corrupted...you gotta have a little faith in people." -Tracy
"It's important to have personal integrity so we don't end up like skeletons." -Isaac
"You have to have a little faith." -Tracy