Mohit Vanjani
Professor Quentin Lareau
November 10, 2022
Film 80A Second Essay
This analytical film essay will break down the films Pointbreak, Chungking Express, and
His Girl Friday to determine how important mise en scene is. The term mise en scene is defined
as the arrangement of scenery and props in a scene. Essentially it is the placement/set up of
how the director has put the scene together. Effectively specifying the props and settings used
adds to the atmosphere intended. Additionally, this essay will touch on aspects such as scenic
atmosphere, angle of framing, and type of shot in order to fully comprehend how mise en scene
influences the feel of certain scenes in the listed films.
The premise of the film point break is regarding an undercover agent determined to put
an end to the string of bank robberies committed by a group of adrenaline junkie athletes. The
overall feel of the film is pure excitement, as portrayed with mise en scene. An example of this
can be seen when Agent Utah just begins to meet and get to know the criminals. Utah’s
introduction to them is similar to us, as the viewers, as we are just starting to get to know the
characters and understand who they are. Utah goes to a house party hosted by the criminals,
and shortly after he enters. The camera pans to a woman playing with a stick on fire, even
blowing alcohol on it to enhance the size of the flame. This all takes place in the center of the
house, yet not many people are looking at the woman blowing flames, as the people are having
their own conversations and doing their own thing. The prop of the flaming stick is not a
common occurrence, how many house parties have you seen with people blowing on flaming
torches indoors? The prop accompanied by the scenic atmosphere builds on to how the cast of
criminals rolls. The torch adds excitement and danger, while the preoccupied crowds in the back
add to the normality of the danger and excitement in their environment. Mise en scene in the
film point break is used to add an additional sense of excitement and danger.
Secondly, the 1994 film “Chungking Express” is about two Cops, 223 and 663, who both
have ended things with their significant other, but they both find two women who spark their
curiosity. The story of Cop 223 and 663 are shown differently, yet both have relatively the same
plot with differing scenes. Mise en scene is paramount in this film. The biggest would be the
number of people in each scene. Hong Kong, where the film is staged, is a very crowded place,
yet both cops are lonely. This is made prevalent by the gloomy color grade added to each
scene. Along with mise en scene being extremely prevalent, the creativity regarding the angle of
framing must be noted. Take the scene where Cop 223 is on the phone with a girl, and he is
notably sad. When he picks up the phone, the camera switches angles and is now at a slight tilt,
illustrating his sadness. Additionally, when Qiwu and Cop 663 are talking to their love interest,
the camera pans in closer. This is done to create an intimate atmosphere to illustrate the tension
to the viewers of the film. Hence, Mise en scene in the film Chungking Express is used to
express the emotions that the main characters are experiencing.
Thirdly, the 1940 film “His Girl Friday” is about a reporter, Hildy, who is supposed to get
married and leave her ex-husband's media firm. Throughout the film, Hildy gets sucked into the
press scene as her ex-husband tries his level best to make sure that his ex-wife Hildy doesn’t
go through with the wedding. Mise en scene in the film hints towards the overall theme of
gender roles. It is important to understand that the film was produced in the 1940s. Gender roles
were not equivalent at all, in fact, the best job that a woman could get in the media business
was a typist. This is prevalent in the scenes in the reporter's room. Looking at the background,
you see that all the photographs hung up are of males, along with the men’s hats surrounding
the room. This shows the audience that Hildy’s presence in the room is substantial and
important. This goes to challenge gender norms, proving that women can have equal job
opportunities. Additionally, Hildy is supposed to get married and quit her job. Yet, at the end of
the film, Howard Hanks uses an extreme long shot to illustrate a shoot-out. This happens right
as Hildy is about to leave the office and quit. The reporters run out of the room, but Hildy stays,
takes off her coat while making a phone call, then grabs her notebook and runs out. This shows
that Hildy still isn’t going to quit her job, even though she is getting married. Traditionally, the
wives in a relationship would stay home and take care of the children and household, yet Hildy
doesn’t quit, symbolizing a new movement. Mise en scene in the film “His Girl Friday”
emphasizes the work environment in the 1940s.
To conclude, the films Point Break, Chungking Express, and His Girl Friday both
effectively use mise en scene along with additional aspects of film such as angle of framing,
atmosphere, and types of shot. The film “Point Break” utilizes mise en scene to add a sense of
excitement to the film, giving the reader a better understanding of the characters and the
intended feel of the film. “Chungking Express” utilizes mise en scene and angle of framing to
illustrate the sadness and moods that the main characters, Cop 223 and 663, are going through.
Lastly, the movie “His Girl Friday” utilizes mise en scene in order to establish the theme of
developing gender roles by showing a male-dominant area in the background, while having a
female lead. Without substantial time put into setting the scene (mise en scene), films wouldn’t
convey the right message, making mise en scene crucial in the set of every film.