Across the Universe Army Draft Scene Close Analysis
Assignment One 2010 Critical Film and TV Perspectives Sophie Fletcher
Across The Universe (Taymor, 2007) is a tribute to the great 1960s band, The Beatles. It showcases, amidst an often wandering narrative, the most important songs of the band’s career. The story follows Jude’s relationship with Lucy, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam war. When Lucy’s brother Max (also Jude’s best friend) is drafted, Max is seen to ascend the stairs of the US Army building as the first bars of the song ‘I Want You’ enter the sound-scape.
The first shot we see of this sequence is a low angle which shows, quite simply, the sheer enormity of the building Max is about to enter. The shot slowly pans down as the foreboding notes of the score play, showing an equally foreboding structure. Within the first few seconds of the sequence we are aware of the Director’s intention; we are to view this building, and the events that happen within, with fear. This is a reference to the fear that the character is about to experience, but also a reference to the fears that the audience holds for the army. The film was both set and made during times of military fear- the vietnam war and George Bush’s war against terrorism. The film is blatantly declaring its intention; it does not intend to speak well about the military, or the government. Its confidence in this portrayal shows its confidence in a positive reception. It does not expect those watching it to like the US military or government in any way.
As for the building itself, its windows barely deserve the name. Its entranceway is a vast, gaping mouth, waiting to consume every body that enters. It is clear that once you are in, there is no getting out. The building is a visual representation of all of the might of the US Army- and also its ugliness. Taymor uses this building to explicitly tell her audience that Max is not going to escape his appointment with Uncle Sam. It betrays even further her own dislike of the army. She
Across The Universe (Taymor, 2007) is a tribute to the great 1960s band, The Beatles. It showcases, amidst an often wandering narrative, the most important songs of the band’s career. The story follows Jude’s relationship with Lucy, set against the backdrop of the Vietnam war. When Lucy’s brother Max (also Jude’s best friend) is drafted, Max is seen to ascend the stairs of the US Army building as the first bars of the song ‘I Want You’ enter the sound-scape.
The first shot we see of this sequence is a low angle which shows, quite simply, the sheer enormity of the building Max is about to enter. The shot slowly pans down as the foreboding notes of the score play, showing an equally foreboding structure. Within the first few seconds of the sequence we are aware of the Director’s intention; we are to view this building, and the events that happen within, with fear. This is a reference to the fear that the character is about to experience, but also a reference to the fears that the audience holds for the army. The film was both set and made during times of military fear- the vietnam war and George Bush’s war against terrorism. The film is blatantly declaring its intention; it does not intend to speak well about the military, or the government. Its confidence in this portrayal shows its confidence in a positive reception. It does not expect those watching it to like the US military or government in any way.
As for the building itself, its windows barely deserve the name. Its entranceway is a vast, gaping mouth, waiting to consume every body that enters. It is clear that once you are in, there is no getting out. The building is a visual representation of all of the might of the US Army- and also its ugliness. Taymor uses this building to explicitly tell her audience that Max is not going to escape his appointment with Uncle Sam. It betrays even further her own dislike of the army. She
Bibliography: Taymor, J. (Director). (2007). Across The Universe [Motion Picture]. USA: Revolution Studios. Ward, V. (Director). (2005). River Queen [Motion Picture]. New Zealand/ United Kingdon: Silver Screen Films