Scene Analysis: Opening Scene

Question 1

Cinematography:
1. medium shots of Honey Bunny and Pumpkin with shot reverse shot and 180 degree rule
2. close up of the gun
3. Honey Bunny and Pumpkin’s faces are half lit
4. close up of waitress

Answer 1

1. isolates them and indicates their conflict of interests
2. shows theme of violence
3. shows how they both do morally bad things
4. adds a sense of normality

Question 2

Sound:
1. diegetic sound of traffic
2. non diegetic sound: ‘Misirlou’ with an abrupt shift to ‘Jungle Boogie’

Answer 2

1. adds authenticity and shows how it is a busy environment
2. shift in genre shows change in storyline

Question 3

Mise en scene:
1. Natural setting; bland colour palette
2. Open restaurant
3. Smoking
4. Normal clothes

Answer 3

1. lulls the viewer into a false sense of security
2. allows viewer to see the wider reaction to the robbery
3. relaxed, shows the era of the film
4. covers up their true identities

Question 4

Editing:
1. freezeframe at the end
2. close up of gun
3. opens up with the definition of ‘pulp’
4. becomes more fast paced as they initiate the robbery

Answer 4

1. captures them with the gun and shows key theme. restricts viewer from knowing what’s happening and we won’t know until the end
2. foreshadows destruction and violence
3. relates to the title

Question 5

Performance:
1. Pumpkin has a relaxed posture, leg on chair
2. Honey Bunny puts head on table
3. Honey Bunny becomes erratic when she pulls out a gun
4. Both contrast each other
5. Tim Roth’s cockney accent

Answer 5

2. childish
3. shows how violence influences behaviour
4. Pumpkin has a slovenly posture and smokes, Honey Bunny sits up straight and is happy
5. contrasts the very American setting