Analysis of opening sequence GoodFellas

Analysis of Opening Sequence
GoodFellas, Martin Scorsese, 1990

Within the opening sequence of the film ‘GoodFellas’ there is a large amount of iconography and stock conventions to make it clear to the viewer that this film is of the gangster genre. The viewer can also recognize that it is an American gangster film as in the opening sequence there is a shot just saying New York and the year so therefore the viewer knows where this film is set and in which period it is based on. Stock characters are used in this opening sequence to make it clear to the viewer of which genre this film belongs to. The stock characters are three tough looking male characters, all wearing suits and appear well groomed. Two of these three characters also swear during this opening sequence which shows they are tough men and is iconic of a gangster film, by putting this in it gives an indication to the viewer of what these men are like. In the opening shots a black car is also used which could connote that these people in the car are the bad guys and are tough. A male voice over is used at the end of this opening sequence which is a convention of a gangster film and gives an insight to the viewer of the character. The audience’s generic expectations of a gangster film are fulfilled within this opening sequence. The main reason for these expectations being fulfilled is the violence which takes place in the first couple of minutes of the film. Violence is always expected in a gangster film and this violence is portrayed straight away and gives the viewer an insight into what the characters are like, that they are tough and take no mercy. To carry out this violence these characters in the opening sequence use a knife and a gun. Guns and weapons are iconic of the gangster genre and help to add to this image the director is trying to create. Martin Scorsese does not play around with the characteristics and conventions of a gangster film in this opening sequence as it is very straight and hardcore. There is graphic violence and stock characters used to carry out this violence so therefore this opening sequence does not sway away from the gangster genre or does not mix genres. By doing this it makes it very clear and easy to understand for the viewer what this film is like and what it is about.

By the use of mise-en-scene in this opening sequence it adds to the image of the characters and signifies what the characters are like. The opening sequence is clearly set at night time which can be seen straight away and could signify that these characters are bad guys. In the first few shots of this opening sequence a car is shown driving down a deserted road switching between lanes. The fact that there are no other cars on the road could connote that these characters or character within this car are alone and rebellious and do not conform to normal rules and people. This rebellious and tear away view is also supported by the fact that they do switch lanes which show they do not follow rules. When the car pulls over by the side of the road the violence takes place next to woods. By carrying out this act of violence by the side of the road, where they could be visible is somebody drives past, signifies the characters lack of respect for the law and are not scared of getting in trouble. All of this within the opening sequence is helping the viewer to create this image of what these characters are like.

A variety of different camera shot sizes, movements and angles are used within this opening sequence to portray different meanings and are used to different affects. In the opening shots a tracking shot is used to pan left around the side of the car driving. By using this shot it makes the viewer feel as if they are driving alongside next to the car and give the feel that they are on the road with them. When the film then cuts into the car a medium close up shot is used to show the three characters within the car. This shot enables the viewer to clearly see all three of the characters and what they are wearing and what the inside of the car is like. It is important to be able to show both of these things as they can both be significant to creating this image of the characters. As the viewer can see what the characters are wearing, all three of them wearing suits, they can start to build this picture of what these characters are like and can already recognize these men are most probably gangsters. When the characters are standing outside the back of the car by the side of the road a medium shot is used. By using this shot the characters upper body can be seen and also their hand gestures. This is extremely important to do so at this point of the sequence as all three characters hands are in use. One of the characters is holding a shovel, one is holding a knife and the other is holding keys. By showing one of the men holding the keys the viewer can make the assumption that he is going to open the boot of the car, by showing the other two men both holding weapons the viewer can make the assumption that they are going to attack whatever is in the boot. Therefore by using this medium shot and making the hand gestures visible it makes it clear to the viewer what is going on within the film. Camera movement is used when the men are standing outside to portray meaning. The camera is tracking in towards the boot, the sound of banging is anchoring this shot, signifies that this banging is taking place within this boot and the tracking into the boot shows that something or someone is in this boot. This camera movement is used to connote mystery and the unknown. The viewer can figure that something is in this boot but does not know what it is in it which is building an enigma for the viewer. A low shot is used at the end of the sequence to show the character that this opening sequence is focusing on. As a low shot is used and the viewer is looking slightly up towards the character it signifies this characters importance and status. Therefore it makes it clear to the viewer what this character is like and adds to the main aim of this opening sequence, to build this picture in the viewers heads of what each of these characters are like. The rule of thirds is used within this opening sequence when the three men are in the car. Each of the characters faces are placed where these imaginary lines would cross, by doing this all three characters are visible and the viewer’s main focus is on these characters.

Sound is used to anchor some of the scenes and shot within this opening sequence of ‘GoodFellas’. The sound of the car driving anchors the opening shots of the car on the road. Also the sound of the rattling and banging when the men are in the car anchors that sequence and is the main focus. Both of these sounds would be non-diegetic and would have been put into the film in post production. When the three men are standing outside the back of the car when the car is pulled over the sound of animals has only been edited in over the top of the sequence. By adding in this sound in it connotes that it is late at night, the men are alone and adds alienation to these men. Another non-diegetic sound is also placed in to this sequence, the sound of a gunshot which shows the character shooting the man in the boot. At end of this opening sequence there is a still shot of one of the characters and music has been put over the top. This music is very upbeat and the kind of music which gives the image of a casino in Las Vegas. This music connotes class, wealth, gambling and gives the feel that this character is living the high life and everything is going well for him. Within this opening sequence there is not a large amount of dialogue between characters. Therefore we do not get a large insight into what these characters are like through dialogue but more by their non-verbal language. The only insight we get to these characters through dialogue is the fact that they are swearing so the viewer can start to understand what the characters are like through this. When the characters are in the car in this opening sequence the viewer can tell through non-verbal language that the characters are very tired and they have been doing something important. The character in the passenger’s seat is asleep and the driver rubs his eyes which connotes that he is tired. Therefore the viewer can assume that it is late at night and the characters have been up to something important that night. When the three characters are standing outside the back of the car, the character holding the shovel looks at the other two characters and nods his head, giving them the instruction. By doing this it connotes that this character giving the nod is probably the main one out of the three. As one of the characters is driving the car, made to open the boot and does not join in the violence this signifies that he is not one of the main characters and is just there to help the others.

The narrative shown in this opening sequence is a linear narrative. When the characters are in the car the audience can assume that something big and important has just happened. This is as the characters all seem tired, it is night time and they are dressed smartly as if they have been out somewhere. Within this opening sequence an enigma is established by the director Martin Scorsese. This enigma is established by having this man in the boot of the car and the viewers start to ask themselves questions. They wonder why is this man in the boot, why do they want to kill him, and what events led up to them having this man in their boot bleeding. At the end of the opening sequence there is a voiceover saying ‘As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster’. This signifies that after this point there is going to be a flashback of this character’s past and him growing up and how he became a gangster. The audience is positioned mainly with the character that is driving the car for the majority of this opening sequence. When the three men are in the car the man driving is in focus as the other two characters are slightly out of focus, this draws the viewers attention into this character and then focus mainly on this character. Then at the end of the opening sequence there is a still image of the character and a voiceover from this character. From that point the audience can understand that this film will mainly revolve around this character and his story. The three main characters in this opening sequence do seem alienated from society and that they are different from normal people. This is because they are alone on the road, it is night time and there is nobody else about. The man who is in the boot is also alienated and is shown to be clearly on the other side. The viewer could assume that this man may be from another gang or he has done something wrong and there is nobody there to help him so he is alienated from everyone else. The major themes in this opening sequence are very simple and also very typical of a gangster film. The main themes are death and violence within this sequence. This is shown through the weapons and the death of the man in the boot of the car. From these themes it is clear to the viewer to which genre this film belongs to and can start to understand what the main themes of the whole film are. The tension in this opening sequence is first created when there is banging in the boot of the car and the viewer starts to wonder what the banging is. This tension is maintained by the characters pulling over by the side of the road then the tracking in shot is used to show the boot and show that the banging is coming from there. But the viewer knows something is in there but doesn’t know what it is or who it is within the boot. By killing the man in the boot the tension is also maintained as the audience do not know who this man is or why these main characters killed this man.

The only social group which is represented in this opening sequence are middle-aged, male gangsters. In this opening sequence they are portrayed in a bad light but are also portrayed in a good way and the viewer is meant to be on their side. The viewer can understand that these are tough gangsters because of the black car and the violence which takes place. But on the other hand at the end of the sequence the music which is put over the top is very upbeat and does signify that these characters are good and are living the high life. From this the viewers are then meant to take their side and are not portrayed in a bad way. What these characters are doing is bad but it is portrayed that they are doing a good thing and they are the good guys. Overall this social group is seen to be quite good and may be seen as an attractive lifestyle to live.

The target audience for this film would be young adults or middle aged white males. This is because there is violence taking place which may be unsuitable for younger children and they would not understand. The target audience is also white males as the characters are also white males so the viewer may feel they can relate to the characters and are not too different from themselves. Because of the violence used within this opening sequence it may be directed at males because males generally find it more entertaining to watch violence than women do. The preferred reading of the director Martin Scorsese would be for the viewer to understand that these characters in this opening sequence are tough gangsters who are ruthless. The main aim of this opening sequence is to build up this image of the characters and to give the audience an insight to what the characters are like. If the audience understand that these men are tough gangsters then the directors preferred reading has been understood. There is a chance that there could be a negotiated reading of this opening sequence, the viewer could understand what these characters are like but be totally against what they are doing and be offended by the violence which takes place in this sequence. As a British teenager I may read this text in a totally different way to say a middle aged American man might read this text. This is because this film is set in America and I am not used to this culture and I cannot really relate to this extent on violence. Whereas a man living in America may have lived through this period of time in which this film is based and can relate to the themes in the film and have a better understanding.

The opening of the film 'GoodFellas' reinforces traditional gender traits and values. There is an ideological discourse on male behaviour in the opening sequence. The ways in which males are expected to behave within society and are expected of a gangster film are reinforced. This is with the use of violence in the opening sequence, which adds to the importance of having status, being respected, and being higher up than someone else. There are only men represented in this opening sequence so we do not see how women are portrayed but the fact that they are not in this sequence shows they are not seen as being as important. The capatalist ideology is also reinforced within this opening sequence. All three men are well dressed in suits and also driving a flashy and expensive car. This reiterates the view of to be successful or hold a high status you must be wealthy and own expensive items. Overall this opening sequence does not challenge any ideology's but reinforces the ideological discourse of male behaviour and what it means to be a man.