Textual Analysis, The Blues Brothers
An intriguing introduction that succeeds in grabbing your attention
The Blues Brothers opens with a surprisingly inventive character exposition. The protagonist is seen being released from jail in an obscure way. It is an interesting concept as the character is introduced through his external belongings and the world he occupies before revealing to the audience his physical characteristics. Before the audience sees his face they have already developed an understanding and perhaps a degree of empathy for the character.
The establishing shot reveals a bleak, smoke-filled landscape, an introduction that creates a sombre world. The establishing shot continues with another setting, a continuation of the previous theme, a close up shot showing the sign of a prison and this shot introduces the setting in which the character exists. Non-diegetic sound can be heard in the background, the genre of the music playing is the Blues, reiterating the bleak element that the opening shot displayed. The use of this genre also panders to the title of the film and introduces, effectively, one of the integral recurring motifs. The lighting is low-key, creating an element of realism and displaying the prison setting in a more adult way.
Introduction of One of the Brothers
The following scene introduces the protagonist and two prison guards. The guards appear comical in relation to the more serious appearance of the prison setting, perhaps the fact that they have been introduced and have become characters also adds to this. The shot continues with a close up of the character’s feet, flanked by two guards. The diegetic sound of footsteps is dominant, introducing the journey out of the prison that the protagonist is beginning. Perhaps the close up of the character’s shoes is there to contribute to the information on the character without revealing much about his ‘real’ identity. The lack viewing the character’s face contributes to the air of mystery and succeeds in grabbing the audience’s attention.
The introduction continues with a variety of shots of the protagonist and the two guards walking through the prison. The setting is convincing and the costumes and props achieve the desired effect of allowing the audience what feels like an accurate glimpse into prison life. There is the diegetic sound of whistles displaying the automated world that prison is. The guards in this part of the prison lack the comical element of the escorting guards. Similar to the protagonist, the guards receive no real attention, creating an ambiguity that contributes to acknowledging their position in this hierarchy. They also hold guns, another repetition of the sombre tone.
This is a Controlled Environment
High angle shots are also used to follow their journey. One shot used displays, from an omniscient viewpoint, the prisoner and guards walking through the courtyard. This shot allows the audience to see the view the guards on the wall enjoy. It also serves to remind the audience of the people in control. This high angle shot displays seniority and authority.
The protagonist's face continues to remain hidden as the camera zooms to a close up of a ‘no-smoking’ sign. This is another reminder that this is a controlled world.
The editing of these scenes is slow and languid. This grants the audience an impression of actually watching the protagonist’s journey. The transitions are smooth, without any discernable effects, thereby giving the audience the time to enjoy the film without being distracted.
The lighting has also remained low-key, this allows for an unbiased view of the prison setting. Again, it is another contribution to creating a more natural, voyeuristic introduction.
The final scene, where he receives his belongings, is an important one. The camera cuts to a close up of his hand which displays a tattoo reading ‘Jake’. This is, perhaps, the first tangible link to an exposition of this character that is seen during the initial introduction. This scene allows more of a character to emerge as it becomes apparent that ‘Jake’ is illiterate as, when required to sign his name he writes an ‘x’.
An intriguing introduction that succeeds in grabbing your attention
The Blues Brothers uses camera angles to keep the characters identity hidden from the audience, creating a sombre, mysterious, and interesting exposition. This attempt succeeds in granting the audience knowledge of the important aspects of the character’s history, and creates a degree of empathy before the audience and the protagonist even meet.
This a unique introduction, one that perhaps works better than a linear close-up, and in doing so The Blues Brothers has neatly side-stepped issues of back-story by introducing the characters past before the character is introduced.
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