Scene Analysis: Closing Scene

Question 1

Cinematography:
1. birds eye view showing everyone asleep
2. eyeline matches when Renton looks around
3. over the shoulder shot from Spud’s pov
4. birdseye view of Begbie smashing things up
5. camera on its side when Renton walks through the tunnel, flips to other side when he walks through the other side
6. extreme long shot of Renton walking across the bridge
7. close up of Renton walking towards the camera and looking directly into it
8. defocus of Renton

Answer 1

2. aligns audience with him
3. shaking his head, he doesn’t want renton to leave
4. reminds us of his aggressive nature and short temper
5. shows how the trajectory of his life has completely changed and reflects his sudden change of outlook on life
6. isolates him against the landscape, conveys how his decision to alter his life has isolated him
7. makes the spectator the target of his speech
8. reflects how he’s lost his old identity and become a part of the mass he once rejected. could potentially suggest his words are insincere and that he can’t be trusted since he appears literally distorted, perhaps like his perspective

Question 2

Sound:
1. non diegetic: Born Slippy by Underworld
2. Renton’s dialogue

Answer 2

1. popular rave song from the 90s. moving and hopeful, begins to pick up to more energetic as Renton progresses further into his journey. beat becomes loud when he takes the money, represents renton’s increased heart rate. creates a sense of adrenaline
2. thinking out loud, justifying his actions. parallels his opening dialogue by idolising the ideals of conformity and consumerism even though he used to criticise it

Question 3

Character arcs in this scene

Answer 3

Renton: completion of character arc
Begbie: unchanged arc

Question 4

What is the narrative resolution of the closing scene?

Answer 4

ambiguous/open - we don’t know what happens to the other characters

Question 5

Mise en scene:
1. Renton looking in the mirror, light above him
2. Renton pouring out the alcohol and replacing it with water
3. over the shoulder shot of Renton looking in the mirror
4. bright, high key lighting on the bridge

Answer 5

1. creates an almost angelic feel and suggests he has hope as he has decided to take the money in an attempt to improve his life
2. he is purifying himself of his wrong doings, reinforces the idea he is trying to improve his lifestyle and destroying his old habits
3. symbolises moment of reflection, his intentions are ambiguous - spectator is unsure whether he will choose positive change or relapse
4. reflects his optimism, although it is slightly over saturated - suggest this optimism is not fully genuine

Question 6

Performance:
1. Renton staring at the ceiling biting his nails
2. Renton constantly looking at his friends when walking around
3. Renton walking downstairs quickly with a confident posture
4. Renton looking back one last time before he leaves
5. Renton smiling as he walks towards the camera
6. Renton’s dialogue - “I’m gonna be just like you”

Answer 6

1. symbolises anxiety - contemplating if he should do it
2. worried he will wake them up, he doesn’t want to betray him
3. he is rushing because he wants to leave without getting caught, his confidence posture reflects his confidence with his decision
4. he feels guilt, specifically towards Spud, perhaps he is regretting his choice
5. indicates his optimistic feelings about his future, even though it seems somewhat forced. suggests happiness that stems from consumerism is not authentic
6. direct address of spectator implicates them and suggests they are the conformist which he intends to emulate

Question 7

Editing:
1. long takes of Renton moving around the room

Answer 7

1. builds suspense and illustrates to the spectator this is a difficult and life altering choice to make