CRIME

Genre conventions – content

The crime films are all those movies whose central theme is crime and its consequences. Crime movies usually stem around the ideology of what is morally right, justice and freedom.  The plot contains complicated plot-lines, which makes the audience be aware and pay attention at all times. It reveals a common criticism on how the main character tries to be clever and  find the solution, which is not well established.

Typical crime conventions are alcohol and illegal substances, characters handle a good amount of weapons, there’s also a failed attempt from the police force trying to capture the criminals. Usually these crime films are about a robbery, murder or any attempt to someone’s life, and it relates to a hard upbringing from the protagonist.

Genre conventions – production techniques

The typical setting in crime films contains low key lighting and shadows to add mystery by not showing the characters full face, also leaving parts of their body in shadow to show that they are hiding something. There are plenty of changes in terms of the angles, there are high angles which make the character look weak, and vulnerable. The different shots used like reverse shots that portray a flashback, or consequences of actions. Music and sound also contributes to the production of this film by adding mood to the actions in the film. Usually the only sound in these films is the background music played throughout the entire movie that is categorized as either diegetic and non-diegetic sound.

Example#1: The Untouchables

After Al Capone builds an empire with bootleg alcohol, ruling Chicago with an iron fist. Though prohibition agent Eliot Ness attempts to take Capone down  even his best efforts fail due to widespread corruption within the Windy City's police force. Eliot Ness recruits a group of lawmen who won't be swayed by bribes or fear to bring Capone to justice. In this film there are plenty of low angles presenting some of the characters that have the power in some of the scenes. The lighting is also low key and shadows are also present.

Example#2: Now you see me

Big time stage illusionists who end their sold out Las Vegas show with a bank apparently robbed for real. This puts agents Dylan Rhodes of the FBI and Alma Dray of Interpol on the case to find out how they did it. However, this mystery seems to be difficult to solve even with the insights of the professional illusion exposure, Thaddeus Bradley. What follows is a bizarre investigation where nothing is what it seems with illusions, dark secrets and hidden agendas galore as all involved are reminded of a great truth in this puzzle: the closer you look, the less you see. Throughout the film the there is low key lighting and not many bright colors to add to the mood of the mystery the agents are trying to solve.

Other Examples: