In the independent thriller films Trance and Inception, they do not follow the classic hollywood narrative. Christopher Nolan (Inception) and Danny Boyle (Trance) change the order of events in the film to create mystery and uncover the past of the characters and how there are not traditional character roles in real life. Role reversal is used to change our characters image. Typically with classic hollywood narrative, the 'hero' or main character is perceived to have good intentions and the perspective is take from his point of view, as we uncover his past we see him as the abusive character, stereotypical of the 'villain.' Our 'villain' is then perceived as the hero. Similarly Inception uses a non-linear narrative to portray how our main character is a controlled and independent man, but in his mind and subconscious, he has lost control over his life. This is why his dream worlds always collapse.
Point 1:
The diversity in the time line of both of these two films cause the two main characters in the films to reverse their character roles.
Example 1:
The first clip is the scene in Inception, when Cobbs wife commits suicide because se cant differentiate between the real world and the dream world. This is also when the mystery of his relationship with Mal is uncovered. This is the moment when Cobbs slick and cool character is reversed and we see him become unstable. This is evident in the way he dresses. He dresses smart and cleanly throughout the film unless the projection of Mals character is aggressing and converging against him. Also, the film is filled with greys and blues, this is because Cobb is now cold and work orientated. However, in Mals death scene, the room has a warm glow. This is to show the passion and love in their relationship. Cobbs love and passion is turned towards his work and children afterwards but the colours and lighting are greyer and more blue. The second clip is one of the opening scenes of Trance, where we are fully introduced to Simon, the art dealer, and Franck, the criminal. At first, Simon is perceived as the victim when he is mugged for an expensive painting. He forgets part of his memory after being struck on the head and Franck and his gang send him to a hypno-therapist after extensive torture. Towards the end of the film, Simon kills numerous people to obtain the painting and Franck, the 'villain' is now perceived as the victim and Simon is now the 'villain.' This is when the roles are reversed. This supports the messages that traditional character roles do not exist in real life, as the characters role changes over time in different points in the film. However, the roles aren't clear; who is the villain and who is the hero.
Point 2:
How non-linear narrative displays identity.
Example 2:
Analysis 2:
The non-linear emphasises how unstable the main characters are. In the Trance clip, Simon was meant to be hypnotised to rediscover the lost painting, forcefully, by Franck the thief. Elizabeth is bigger on screen throughout the majority of this scene when she is telling Simon that she can help him. This shows that Elizabeth is more powerful. Towards the end of the film, Simon gains power and is with Elizabeth and he becomes aggressive and violent. We discover that he was once in a relationship with Elizabeth prior to when the film is set to start and was abusive in that relationship, also. His personality changes as the story line changes backwards and forwards. In the Inception clip, Cobb is in limbo, a place between the real world and the dream world. He is also weak. We can see this by how he s presented, he isn't as smartly dressed as he is usually throughout the film. his hair is messy, he is unshaven and has a panicked and sad look on his face. Limbo is also the place which symbolically took Mals (Cobbs wife) personality and identity. This is why he is perceived to be unstable in this place. Further on we see Cobb in his normal state, smartly dressed and generally well presented. Every time he thinks back to Mal or sees her in his dreams, the panicked look comes back. Ultimately he las two identities, one when he is awake, and one when he is with Mal. His change in personality is mirrored by the change in the time line of the story.
Point 3:
How psychological manipulation is displayed through non-linear narrative.
Example 3:
Analysis:
The psychological manipulation of Ariadne by Cobb is used to
