Characterisation of Finch

Finch is characterised in the film as a stereotypical loner. This is quite a common stereotypical character type to see in this genre – psychological crime thriller. Finch is clearly an intelligent character. The mise-en-scene of his apartment suggests as much; it is filled with books which suggest he is well read and this is commonly associated with intelligence. The fact he is an author also supports this notion. But he also comes across as slightly obsessive and paranoid. When Dormer first visits his apartment we see a close-up of a piece of card that falls from the door. The director wants us to notice this and realise that this was there so that Finch would be able to tell if someone had been in his apartment when he was out – this is quite paranoid. He also falls into the category of a stereotypical loner as he spends time with a very young school girl. We see Dormer pick out several items in Kay’s bedroom that mark out the fact the relationship is bordering on inappropriateness. Dormer notices an expensive designer dress and a pendant both of which he refers to in dialogue. In the interrogation scene, he uses these items to accuse Finch of having a relationship with Kay that was inappropriate. Dormer, in the interrogation scene, asks Finch if “She was attractive?” and if “He had sex with her.” The use of high and low angle camera shots in this scene show that Dormer is the powerful one as he is shown through low-angle shots. The high-angle shots of Finch make clear that he is uncomfortable with these questions. Dormer eventually concludes that Finch “just wanted to f**k [Kay].” Finch’s intelligence, his paranoia and his inappropriate relationship with a 17-year old girl all mark him out as a stereotypical loner.

Mr. Adam

Sample Insomnia MAREs

The isolation of Nightmute is portrayed through the opening wide shot of the plane, carrying Dormer and Eckhart, as they fly over glacier fields. The size comparison in this shot between the plane and the glaciers shows how distant they are from civilisation. As the plane’s journey continues it progresses over different areas. When the action switches to an aerial shot we see a dense forest. This combination of shots suggests the isolation due to Nightmute being isolated from everywhere else because of its geographical position beyond glaciers, a forest and eventually a mountain range.

Nightmute also captures the audience’s interest because it is somewhere where it is hard to keep a secret or yourself hidden. For instance when Dormer first arrives on the scene of Kay Connell’s house his intentions are to visit her school and interview her ex-boyfriend but his plan is hindered when he is informed of the time – ten at night. The mise-en-scene here is particularly interesting as the room is filled with light coming from the window that lurks in the background just behind Dormer. This suggests the difficulty of anything remaining hidden, both people and deeds, because it is so bright even at late hours of the night. Normally light is used to reveal things so in the continual daylight of Nightmute both Finch’s and Dormer’s secrets will be revealed.

Mr. Adam