'A Beautiful Mind' Deconstruction (part 1)

Scene 1: Writing on the window

This scene shows John, the schizophrenic character, fighting with his imaginary friend Charles. It also shows his complete focus on his work and how much he values it.

Point 1:

Camera Angles/Shots/Movements: 
-When John is looking at his work there are many close up shots of his face as he looks up, this means we can clearly see his distressed and confused expression.
-By tracking his movements as he paces around a tense, uneasy feeling settles which doesn't entirely match up to the situation as most of the audience wouldn't place as much importance on work. Especially as he later smashes his head on the window because of it, this definitely shows his intense focus on his work and conforms to the stereotypes of a person with mental illness.
- The close up on his face makes us realise that he has a very confused and wounded expression after he hits his head as if he got too carried away and frustrated with not knowing the answer that he didn't even realise he was smashing his head.


Mise En Scene:
- The fact that there is white writing on the window highlights the fact that he isn't using paper. Its also as if he is blocking out the outside world and excluding himself in order to get the answer he needs.
- The checkered windows in the room show that something isn't right with John, especially as he is seen through the window to begin with.
- In terms of Mise En Scene, John often has his hands in front of his face, this is a sign of low self confidence and so it conforms to the stereotypes of people with mental illnesses.
- We are at an intimate distance with him that makes us uncomfortable, especially as he then smashes his head against the window.
Editing;
- Continuity editing as he looks out of the window as there is a tracking shot therefore the editing isn't noticeable.
- Cuts to a medium shot of him inside the room with his hand on his head.
Sound:
- Non diegetic sad music playing as John looks for his answer among the writing.
- Diegetic sound of the glass smashing draws attention to it and creates a jump as it was rather unexpected.
- Diegetic dialogue of John repeating 'I can't see it' as he looks at the writing.
- Diegetic sound of John exclaiming after he hits his head against the window, adds emphasis and allows him to quickly snap out of his phase. Yet he still goes back into it.

Point 2:

Camera Angles/Shots/Movements:

- Medium shot of Charles getting up after John hits his head on the window, shows his genuine concern for him.
- Medium shot of John leaning against the wall, juxtaposes them and allows us to clearly see his expression.
- Two shot of Charles trying to help John before he grabs the table, shows Charles trying to give John physical support.
Editing:
- The part when John is leaning against the wall is cross cut with Charles quickly getting up, this shows the urgency that Charles is feeling and the fact that it was rather unexpected.
- Cross cut again as John is crying and telling himself off and Charles is trying to console him.
Mise En Scene:
- John is leaning against some checkered windows which connote that something isn't right.
- He is also slightly diagonal in his positioning and seems to be bent over himself which shows his low self confidence.
- They are at a personal and then intimate distance to one another showing that they are rather close and they know each other pretty well.
Sound:
- Diegetic dialogue of John saying 'I can't fail' showing the how important this is to him, especially as he is saying this through tears. He then says 'This is all I am' showing that he feels he has to be clever and work things out otherwise he is useless. He then goes on to say 'I've got to get something done, I can't keep staring into space', this shows that he is very critical of himself and he won't accept Charles' attempt to cheer him up.
- Diegetic dialogue of Charles saying 'come on lets go out' which shows he is trying to cheer him up and distract him.

Point 3:

Camera Angles/Shots/Movements:
- Throughout this scene there are two shots where John is talking to Charles, these moments are completely believable and therefore this puts the audience in John's shoes and allows them to sympathise with him as they do not realise until the end that Charles is imaginary.
- Two shots of his wrestling with Charles shows the physical conflict he has with his own mind.

- There is a high angle shot of Charles on the floor, this gives John the power of the situation and shows that technically he does have the upper hand over Charles as Charles doesn't actually exist.

Mise En Scene:
- John is wearing a coat inside which has the collar propped up, this coat is grey which is a rather dark and depressing colour.
-The fact that he has the collar propped up could once again show his low confidence as it could show that he is trying to hide himself.
- He also has bright red blood coming from his head, this demonstrates the extent he is prepared to go for his work.
- It also shows that he has hurt himself and therefore he doesn't care much about self harm.
- By having John push the table towards Charles it shows he is trying to fight/eliminate him. He thinks that Charles' presence is causing him to not get the answer he needs.

Editing:
- The 180 degrees rule is used when John and Charles are fighting over the desk, here there are shots from John and shots from Charles. This demonstrates the power battle between them and how they are both of equal strength, therefore demonstrating that John's mind is of equal strength to his body and therefore it influences his decisions a lot.
Sound:
- Diegetic dialogue of Charles saying 'You wanna do some damage that's fine but don't mess around' He then goes to on shout 'Bust your head go on bust your head!' this could show his split personality and how he is struggling with suicide.
- While Charles is shouting this John is shouting to himself do some work.
- Diegetic dialogue of John shouting 'god dammit Charles what the hell is your problem' after Charles is pushing him towards the window and telling him to bust that 'worthless head', this shows that John is fighting back against Charles.

Point 4:

Camera Angles/Shots/Movements:
- There an ariel shot of the broken desk on the floor which shows that all his work is destroyed and shows the impact of his actions.
- The two shot that follows with them both looking out the window at the broken desk shows both of their emotions. John in this shot looks a little bit like a child, as he has a very shocked and confused expression.
- They then both begin to laugh which is shown through the same two shot and the reaction is also almost childlike.
Mise En Scene:
- Charles is wearing a cream jumper, his outfit matches the room they are in and he could be considered as part of the room. This could highlight that he isn't real as he is how John imagined him to be.
- When laughing on the floor John once again covers up his face with his hands, his position is also rather childlike as he has his knees up to his chest and he is taking up less room than Charles is despite being real unlike Charles. This shows that his imaginary friend has complete control over him and he dominates him.

Editing:

- The shots of the desk broken on the floor and John and Charles looking out the window are cross cut in order to show their gradual reaction.
- Also a two shot with students is cross cut within this to show other people's reaction and to show that what John just did was insane. This shows other people's opinions of him and shows that people don't take to him very kindly sometimes.

Sound:
- Diegetic sound of the table smashing into the window sill and squealing against the floor. Sound of it bursting through the window and smashing on the floor. It's rather loud and disruptive, showing a shift in John's life.
- Whooshing sound just before it hits the floor, adds impact to the fall.
- Diegetic sound of papers falling down and John and Charles panting, effective sound for after a big occurrence.
- Diegetic dialogue of 'That Issac Newton fellow was right' and 'he was onto something' as if they didn't know that would happen.
- Both agreeing that it was heavy, showing that it's likely Charles wasn't real and it was actually just John who pushed it out.
- Diegetic sound of them both laughing hysterically.