Christmas Blogging Task: Phonebooth

The thriller film I have chosen to evaluate is Phonebooth (2002). 

The main character Stu is dressed in a smart black suit accented with a raspberry sorbet coloured shirt. The fact he isn't wearing a tie with his suit implies that he is a laid back guy and perhaps is his own boss. There are many closeups of his talking on his cell phone which suggests significance with him either in a phone call or the cell phone itself. It also signifies that his cell phone is his main priority and he relies on communication through the phone for both business and personal calls. 

In the beginning of the film, we are shown an extreme wide shot of the location the film is set in. It allows us to see what kind of vibe and setting we expect too see in the film, and allows us to generate an idea of what type of person the film is to be centered around, a New York city business man. The beginning of the film also varies in slow, normal and fast motions which emphasizes the pace of which New Yorkers run and how the pace of their lives varies dramatically. We are shown zoomed in close ups of certain shops and different types of people which also gives the impression on what time of people we are to find in the film e.g. close ups of a sex shop; were expected to see prostitutes. 
Throughout the film, there is dull realistic lighting used, which makes the film effective as a thriller as it sets a dim and depressing tone as well as portraying the scenery to be very negative and mysterious. 

Suspense is created when the telephone rings in the phone booth, of which Stu goes ahead to answer it. It is effective because it is unlikely that there are to be an incoming call to the phone booth where it is usually outgoing calls. When Stu first answers the phone, a dark, husky, deep masculine speaks on the phone which is effective in a thriller film as a deep scary voice in films are generically of those of the villain. Also, as it is a phone call, the villain is not able to be recognized and therefore creates even more suspense as we are only able to detect a voice. Another effective element of the film is when the mysterious voice on the phone confirms to Stu what he is wearing, which gives the impression that he is being watched from an angle where Stu is not able to see him. 

Low angles are used when Stu is looking around at the buildings; the fact that all Stu is able to see is hundreds of windows also create suspense to figure out which window the guy on the phone is watching Stu from. High angles are also used directing downwards onto Stu in the phone booth which allows us to see Stu from the guy on the phones point of view without actually seeing the surrounding the guy on the phone is in. 

Long shots are used often throughout the film allowing us to see Stu in the phone booth in the first third of the frame, and anything or anyone else that are passing buy or usually coming into contact with the phone booth. In the picture shown, is the robot coming into contact. This is to show the victim in the situation as well as whoever is going to be the next possible target for the guy on the phone. 
During the phone call when the guy on the phone threatens Stu, with a gun, to create suspense and confirm what he is saying, he cocks his gun which is effective in a thriller film as suggests an act of violence or blackmail. 
As part of the film builds up the tension, there is heart pounding, up tempo, loud music which helps the build up of tension which also creates suspense. Which it is then sometimes cut suddenly for a short duration and then begins again. The pause of music creates a lot of suspense as it makes the audience wonder what will happen next...