Inner Journey

Question 1

Gil’s epiphany that leads to the breakup of Inez and Gil.

Answer 1

As Gil’s imaginative journey continues he receives encouragement through his relationship with Adriana. Through this he experiences an epiphany which encourages him to seize opportunities in the present as reflected in La Belle Epoque scene where Allen’s mise en scene and repetition of the fairytale motifs propel Gil into the 19th century Paris. In meeting Adriana’s artistic heroes Gil shares his insight through dialogue, “If you stay here, and this becomes your present, then, pretty soon, you’ll start imagining another time was really your, you know, was the golden time. That’s what the present is. That it’s a little unsatisfying, because life’s a little unsatisfying.”. The scene cuts to a series of full shots of Inez and Gil fighting in the present . Their growing conflict is clearly irreconcilable through the shots of each person isolated in their own frame, until he finally ends the relationship.

Question 2

Gil walking through Paris with Gabrielle at night (end of the film).

Answer 2

The film ends with a sense of liberation and hope for Gil’s future in Paris. Allen creates this through the repetition of the motif of the chiming clock and a wide angle shot showing the Eiffel Tower at night. As Gil serendipitously reunites with the girl from the market, Allen symbolically represents their harmonious perspectives as the walk through the city in the rain and the non-diegetic French jazz from the opening scene returns reflecting Gil’s transformation.

Question 3

Technique’s in Gil’s epiphany.

Answer 3

1. Mise en scene.
2. Recurring fairytale motifs.
3. Dialogue.
4. Full shots.

Question 4

Techniques in the last scene of Gil walking through Paris at night with Gabrielle.

Answer 4

1. Repetition of motif.
2. Wide angled shot.
3. Symbolism.
4. Non-diegetic music.