Issues of masculinity Do now: jot down all the masculine male stereotypes you can think of. What does Reservoir dogs say about the characters and their masculinity? Why are there no women in the film? How are women referred to?

Starter Write an intro and 2 paragraphs on one of the following questions: How does ‘Reservoir Dogs’ ‘play’ with narrative? Or To what extent is ‘Reservoir Dogs’ a masculine film?

‘ Pelham’ was an attempt to make a studio based heist movie where the heist is the central narrative focus. The film was responsible for a tightening in New York subway security. It is one of many films that had an influence on Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. It followed other notable 60s/70s crime/heist movies such as ‘The Thomas Crown Affair and ‘The Italian Job’. Like those films ‘Pelham has been recently remade starring Denzil Washington and John Travolta. Case Study 2: ‘The Taking Of Pelham 1,2,3’ Dir: Joseph Sargent (1974)

The Plot A tense situation develops in a New York subway when a group of unidentified gunmen hold the passengers of a subway car hostage in exchange for money. A veteran detective attempts to track down the identities of the gunmen.

Starter: The opening act. What can we say about opening act of the film. Consider: The narrative. The genre The characters and their representation.

Comparisons to ‘Reservoir Dogs’ Pelham’ was a one of the many influences on Tarantino’s ‘Reservoir Dogs’. What aspects of the film did Tarantino borrow? In groups/pairs consider: Genre iconography The Narrative Characterisation Ideological themes

Narrative The 3 plot structure of the films. In Dogs we only really see the third act in Pelham the second and third. The narrative structure( linearity etc) Dogs is non-linear told in flashback, Pelham is linear. Dogs also features some ‘unnecessary dialogue sequences’ that don’t really move the narrative forward(Madonna’s Like a Virgin for example). The narrative time frame. Dogs takes place over a couple of weeks, Pelham a few hours (mostly). Which characters drive the narrative? In Dogs Mr White, Orange and Blonde, in Pelham Mr Blue, Green and Lt Garber. The ending or denouement? Pink leaves with diamonds and they all die, Green left with the money and is caught. Both films end abruptly.

Characterisation and representation Similarities with ‘Dogs’. The pseudonyms – Mr Green etc. What can we say about the crew as whole? Anti-establishment, standing up to authority. Rule breakers with no respect for the law. The anonymous characters we learn little about. One of the character’s Grey is obviously psychotic. Representation of masculinity. Attitudes to women, afro – Americans. The cop on the inside. Differences? The police and transport authorities are represented. Lt Garber is a key oppositional role to the gang and a nemesis to Mr Blue. Characters in Pelham have a ‘personal agendas’ or points to prove. Mr Blue, Green and the mayor.

Genre iconography Differences to Dogs? Set on the New York subway system in the 1970s. Police iconography (cars, uniform badges etc.) Money not diamonds. The transit authorities office/station. Similarities? Claustrophobic setting. Macs, hats and fake moustaches as opposed to sharp suits, white shirts and black ties. The anonymous disguises.

Ideological Themes in case study films ‘Reservoir Dogs’: What zeitgeist was the film reflecting? Early 90’s ‘new lad’ culture. Lad culture once again allowed men to be men! This was the time of Loaded magazine, ‘Men Behaving Badly’, gangster rap, Oasis and violent male led movies like Dogs. ‘Lad culture allowed men to supposedly ‘reassert their dominant patriarchal attitudes. This was often done through demeaning women or by showing men together in a ‘male bond’.

Ideological Themes in case study films ‘Taking of Pelham 1,2,3’: What zeitgeist was the film reflecting? Obviously ‘Pelham’ is a 1970’s film so therefore does not share the same ideological zeitgeist as ‘Dogs’. ‘Pelham’ was made at a time when the US was recovering from the Vietnam war and the Nixon/Watergate scandal. If anything the film’s pessimistic, cynical view reflects the negative way the US was feeling about itself. This was also a time of ‘counterculture’. America had changed and it was anti- government organisations or counterculture groups that had forced America to change such as the Black Panthers. The gang in Pelham could be seen to reflect this anger at the establishment for letting them down. Outlaws outside of government laws.

Technical aspects including iconography Consider the similarities and differences: Iconography/mise-en-scene- sets, costume, props, lighting. Cinematography- angles, movements, shot types Editing – techniques, pace, effects etc. Sound- diegetic sound including dialogue, music.

Issues of masculinity Lets go back to our list of adjectives to describe your character. What does the film say about the characters and their masculinity? Watch this clip. Why are there no women in the film? How are women referred to? Watch this clip. Next lesson we will examine the zeitgeist of the early 90s and issues of gender.