Was it the morphing objects?
On movie night, once the end credits rolled, we discussed the story’s key objects. And someone said, “Well, it wasn’t a bra…” Someone else remarked on the film’s cat: First Bree feeds it… later she cuddles it… finally, when she might balk at leaving with the detective, he lifts the crated cat and walks out, essentially making the choice for her.
And the Big Voice device that allows Bree to externalize her feelings?
Yeah, that’s the analyst. Just like in The Sopranos.
But what is the contest question, Chuck?!?
You know how I’m always hammering on you to use attribution and gesture to pace your dialog better? There’s more to it than clarity. You can play a million tricks by stating dialog, but then presenting body language that negates what’s being said. Klute does this often. I’ll not give an example, here, that’s your quest. That’s the contest.
What’s your best example in the film where the spoken dialog contrasts most with the physical action, be it body language or whatever?
1. The thru-line objects are the tapes/tape recorder (reminded me a little of ‘Session 9’) and the phone calls.
2. The therapy sessions are the Big Voice device.
3. The scene where Klute beats up the pimp is an example that comes to mind. “We all respect each other here”. 10 seconds later and there’s fist flying and scissors being branded as a weapon.
4. The tape recordings of Bree.
5. The part where she tells Klute that the old man has lost his wife, has been working since he was 14, and that she’s all he has. Doing something frowned upon for a noble reason.
6. Fear of opening up, control, guilt.
7. The cat runs away? Is adopted by the junkies on the upper floor, maybe?
8. A rare birth defect.
What are the thru-line objects?
Video tapes: The video tapes continually explored different aspects of Bree’s mindset. The video tapes were constantly being used as a form of manipulation to propel the story and characters forward. The video tapes were continually used as a tool to pull emotion and action from the characters.
Telephone rings: The phone rings were never good. They were always a foreshadowing and a device used to build up dread in the audience. Telephones blow.
What is the Big Voice device that allows the characters to externalize their feelings without speaking directly to the audience?
The video tapes and the telephone rings. The video tapes continually expressed Bree’s emotion. Poor Bree screaming in the last scene. The video tapes also expressed Bree’s exploration of a care-free spirit when she continually says to “Let it all hang out.” The video tapes explored Bree’s mindset whether it was terror or trying to understand herself.
The voice recordings and telephone rings were used as a constant form of manipulation. Klute attempted to manipulate Bree into talking with recordings. The killer used both the phone and the voice recordings to manipulate and terrify Bree into submission.
The dialog between her counselor and herself was also a device used to provide the audience with an understanding of exactly where her mindset was at any point in time. Pretty cut and dry.
What scenes use gesture and action to negate what’s said in dialog?
When Bree threatens her therapist by saying she’s going to leave because of money but she never does. She continually expresses discontent for not having her own self. She expresses that she was to destroy and run away and be alone but she’s constantly running back to to someone. Her pimp, Klute, a John,…some rando. She would often state that she wanted to be faceless and alone but she would almost do anything but be alone.
What devices keep the past present in the story?
Video tapes: The video tapes continually explored different aspects of Bree’s mindset and situation. The video tapes were constantly being used as a form of manipulation to propel the story and characters forward. Throughout the story we are reminded of the night that Bree was attacked but never knew the details. The final tape of Bree screaming is terrifying and pulls the actions from the past right in front of us. Horrifying. Also when Bree’s phone rings after walking into her destroyed apartment. She hears her voice recording and becomes terrified all over again.
What actions make us like Bree? She’s not very likable but I suppose she is strong enough to explore different aspects of herself without being shameful. I don’t like the fact that the story continually revisits the idea that she doesn’t know who she is. As if the story is saying: “Obviously only lost, crazy, women explore those aspects of themselves. Look at all the trouble she’s in.” My favorite: She loved the tailor. She knew he was a good, hard working man and he just loved/missed his dear wife and just wanted a little companionship with a little ass and titty. He’s a designer! Have some respect and step off!
What is the reoccurring chorus of the story?
She continually expresses the need to want to destroy a “healthy” relationship. When Bree threatens her therapist by saying she’s going to leave because of money but she never does. Bree also continually goes after her past pimp to stick it to Klute. After all John Klute is just another John.
Bree’s need for control and not being able to enjoy love and happiness unless she is able to manipulate it completely. This was revisited constantly. When she found herself falling in love she ran out of the car to go back to her pimp and randos. She revisited this theme when talking to her therapist. She simply wanted to destroy what was happy in her life. She was always waiting for the other foot to drop. As an actress she was constantly unvalidated and demeaned. She only knew happiness through control.
What becomes of Bree’s cat? The nice tailor adopted the cat and there the cat lives very well in the tailor’s shop.