Posted by Brunetta--aka Badassfuckinetta at adsl-64-172-99-237.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net on January 13, 2003 at 22:24:30:
In Reply to: The lighting and framing are very eloquent posted by Vincent on January 13, 2003 at 21:52:19:
: As far as camera movement, it's not like Kevin suddenly became Scorsese. The film definitely looks better than any of his other films, but the look is subtle and subdued. The camera does move a lot more, but we're not talking Argento-esque camera acrobatics, we're talking slow crane shots and steadicam shots and pans, etc. There are also a lot of dissolves as opposed to straight cuts.
I'm suprised by the subdued part. Usually VZ (excuse the abriviation for I'm almost certain I can't recall the proper spelling of his name) is very glossy in his modern day photography (even in "Life as a House") and I read that Kevin likened JERSEY GIRL to JERRY MAGUIRE in some aspects (which was a very glossy film as well) so I figured this would be kind of "lush" looking. Interesting. Jennifer Lopez in a subdued looking film for a change.:-)
: I guess the short answer is JERSEY GIRL looks really, really good but it doesn't call attention to itself. Kevin is still Kevin, and frankly I think an overly aggressive visual style would be out of place with his writing.
Absolutely. I don't think that's a problem (heck, there were critics that really admired the look of "Chasing Amy"--and that was his lowest-budgeted film and it was shot on 16mm). I think Kevin's style is no worse than your typical, straight-forward movie. "High Fidelity" employed the same kind of photography that Kevin would yet nobody bitched that Stephen Frears (who's made some lovely-looking movies) is slumming it with his choice of static camera and drabby color palate. That's just the kind of movie it was--how such a setting would realistically look. I think Kevin's films look good for the stories he's telling (I even admired the look of "Clerks"--in widescreen-but I thought the look of "Dogma" was a mixed bag for me). If this is no more stylized than any of Kevin's other films critics who admire Kevin's writing but not his directing style may have to rethink their views harsh, instant "no visual talent" cliche they keep bringing up since this film features the work of one of the best cinematographers around.