From the opening credits on, the use of Duke Ellington's jazz music does a lot to establish the mood of the film. As is typical with jazz music, there is an emphasis upon the saxophone, and itinvokes a sense of mystery while at the same time seeming less intense then, for instance, how a horror movie would start out. The danger is real, yet at the same time it's playful.
One notices this especially when the character of Laura Manion is first introduced. A curvy hourglass seductress, the music emphasizes this with heavy saxophone in a sort of melody that invokes "va va voom", a cliche often used when a male notices a beautiful female in a smoky nightclub. The fact that its daylight and this woman is supposed to be a rape victim offers a sense of irony. It also gives it a clue to the viewer that perhaps this woman is not exactly as she seems.
The majority of the movie, the courtroom scenes, do not offer music. If the jazz music is meant to establish one's opinions of the characters, then it makes sense that in the court room would not have music in it. The courtroom is where "the facts" are established, but the real trial exists outside the courtroom as the audience forms its opinions of the characters. Jazz is emotional, seductive, sexy, cool, whereas facts are black and white with little room for interpretation. Therefore, when the order and logic rule, jazz is not present. Yet when emotions and secrets run wild, jazz is prevelent.
In the final scene before the verdict is reached, a moment of high drama, Paul plays mellow jazz music on the piano. This again, echoes the irony in the plot that perhaps real justice is not carried out, and things are not always as the seem to be.
The final scene ends as the movie began, with mellow, sexy, jazz music. The music is neither reflective truly celebratory or morose. It is as though the whole event of the trial was inconsequential, a charade, and everyone goes about their lives, none the wiser, and none the better.
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I also noticed the swanky saxophone that played when Laura was first introduced to the audience. I hadn't thought about the irony in that introduction though.
ReplyDeleteI also liked how you commented on the lack of music in the courtroom scenes. It was interesting that you picked up the idea that the lack of music represented the presentation of straight facts. I thought this might also have reflected the general mood that jazz was not accepted as a form of high entertainment during this time period and therefore it would have no place being in a formal setting, such as a courtroom.
In the final scene where the music seems mundane and similar to the intro music I felt that it added to the confusion of what really happened.
I enjoyed your idea about jazz as the passions while court as the logic (hence no jazz) so much that I stole it for my blog as well.
ReplyDeleteBut what intrigued me the most is your idea of the subtle irony Ellington portrays through his music. Is Laura the faithful wife? Do the Manions really have a perfect marriage? More importantly, Did Paul Biegler learn anything from this trial or just shove it off like another day in the office? The jazz music brings these questions to light and leaves us pining for an answer.
I liked the way you talked about the reason that jazz was not used in the courtroom. I hadn't thought of why it wasn't used and that was a very interesting reason. The ideas you put forth about why jazz was used to begin with are very insightful and true, in my opinion.
ReplyDelete-Kristen Hammaker
I like the points of irony that you pointed out throughout the film. It appears that you really looked into the film to really grasp what the director and composer were trying to convey. Is Laura really an innocent wife? Was justice really being carried out?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I thought your statement about the real trial existing outside the courtroom was great and stating only the actual "facts" were established inside the courtroom. I agree that this goes along with the jazz played at different parts of the film. Great observation!