Textual Analysis (3)

For my third textual analysis I am looking at a scene from the film "Little Miss Sunshine"(2006). This scene is set in a diner and is when you see the division between the family relationships unfold whilst they eat breakfast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BmJLxPHLkE

Editing
The opening of this scene starts with a establishing shot of the table which shows the relationship in which they are sitting. There is then a cut to a MCU of the character 'Olive' played by Abigail Breslin, who is the youngest in the family. This shot is cut to when she asks her mother, Cheryl a question. There is then a cut to when Cheryl responds. This shot reverse shot is very common in conversations between characters as they ask each other questions the audience see their reactions. As the waitress comes to the table it cuts to a straight on shot of her which is a point of view as she is seen to be talking to the camera. This enables the audience to feel as though they are at the table with the characters. As the father, Richard, orders his food it cuts to a two shot with him and Cheryl in the shot. again this is shot reverse shot as it is between the family and the waitress and it goes back and forth. As the family start to bicker the waitress isn't seen. This shows the division between the family as the audience feel like they are involved in the bickering at the table. The MCU of the character Frank, played by Steve Carrell shows his anger towards Richard. This is a sign to the audience that these two characters don't get a long. As Frank teaches the family about the term Alemode there is a cut between Frank, Cheryl and Olive to show the families interest in this topic but we see that Richard is on the phone and isn't at all interested. This again puts the divide in the family. This sequence is all in shot reverse shots and close ups to show the conversations they have between each other.




Cinematography
The cinematography in this scene is very important as it shows how each character is being represented to the audience. for example the establishing shot shows them all together at the table doing the same thing which is reading their menus. As it cuts to Olive asking her mother a question part of her face is blocked due to the red menu. This makes her look hidden in the crowd and made to look small and vulnerable. Olive is also placed to the right of the frame with her left side left open and empty. This could be seen as the way in which the family is divided up into two groups. The character Frank is framed on his own which represents him not having much in his life and him feeling lonely. The shot of Dwayne is unusual in the fact that the first shot is of him writing his order down with a slow tilt up to his face. This is different for the audience as it would usually be his face that you would see first so the audience can recognise the character. As he doesn't talk the shot of his hand writing shows how he is already known to the audience as they can recognise him from writing. The shot of Frank, Dwayne and the Grandfather all in one frame shows the division and how they are on one side with Olive and Cheryl cut out. However after that the shot of Olive is partially taken up by the Grandfather which shows how she is in the middle rather than on one side. With Richard being framed on his own towards the end of the scene shows how he is cut out of the group and seen as a man who has different views and opinions to everyone else.


Mise-En-Scene
The costumes in this scene are very different and personal to each character with a mixture of colour and tone. Olive is wearing a red and yellow tracksuit which highlights herself. Being in such a bright colour makes her seem more important than the others and different to other kids her age. The film is focused on her and there is the use of red in each shot. As well as Olive, Dwayne is wearing a yellow t shirt which also highlights his position at the table. This makes the children stand out from the adults and their positions in the family and at the table. The mother, Cheryl is wearing neutral colours which show that she is a calm person and at times be left out and ignored as we see later on. Richard is wearing a very bold coloured shirt which has a bold and muddled pattern which represent him as a bold and confident person who also has muddled feelings and ideas. Richard brings out his mobile which makes him look very arrogant and uninterested in everything around him even though everyone else is.


Sound
This scene is dominated by dialogue and diegetic sound of the diner and the music playing. This makes the scene more realistic as the dominance of dialogue and kitchen noise is common in American diners. As the scene opens up a lorry drives past the window and the noise is highlighted as it drives past. This can be seen as a way of showing how the family are in odd places along their drive and also gives a sense of realism as it is an every day occurrence to people and road trips.