Opening Sequence Analysis - Sliding Doors 

Notes:

Sliding doors was released in 1998

It was written and directed by Peter Hewitt.

The main stars in the film are Gwyneth Patron, John Hannah and John Lynch

Opening Conventions:

The first shot you see is of ‘Paramount’, ‘Miramax International’ and ‘Mirage’ which are the companies that produced the film. It continues to show a shot of water and the credits start.

Narrative Functions:

The opening sequence of this film does not really introduce the genre however it does show the start of the alternative reality (second narrative). This draws the audience in; it makes them want to watch the rest of the film to find out what happens and why there is a double story line. This film does start at the beginning. It shows that part of the storyline will be based on whom we believe to Helens boyfriend who seems to be having an affair while she is off at work.

Characters:

The opening sequence of ‘Sliding Doors’ introduces the main character, Helen (Paltrow) very well, she is in most of the frames and is always in focus. However there are parts in the opening sequence when we are focused on her boyfriend Gerry and his mistress Lydia, showing his affair, which makes us, as the audience believe that the affair will play a big part in the film. Another character we seem to be introduced to ‘James’ His parts are only minor; the man in the lift and the man on the train, however she keeps bumping into him which hints to the audience that he will become a bigger part in the film.

Hook audience/enigma/action codes:

After watching the opening sequence to this film the audience are left asking themselves many questions; why are they using a double narrative? Who is the man in the lift and on the train? Who is the boyfriend’s lover? Will she find out about the affair? The viewers want to find out the answers to all of these questions; therefore they will watch the rest of film. The pace of this film is not very fast.

Film Lang – MES, cinematography (light & colour):

As the film opens the camera pans upwards from the water to show a bridge, which makes the audience think that it is set in London. It continues to show a birds eye view of central London, which then assures the audience of the location. All lighting throughout the opening sequence looks as if it is natural, however they have used key lights, fill lights and back lights to cause the natural effect. By looking at how London is and the underground and the costume of the characters you can tell that although it is not old fashioned, the audience can see that it is not set in the present (1998)

Film Lang - Movement, Framing, Editing & Sound:

At the opening film starts the song ‘Have Fun Go Mad’ goes through all most of the opening sequence, until the dialogue starts and that’s when the non-digetic sound stops and all digetic sound starts. All sound apart from the background music is on-screen. As the sequence gets through and you get a shot of Gerry’s affair and Helen in the lift when we first see James we hear some more background music which is slow to show the sad atmosphere of that part of the opening. As she is rushing towards the train the music gets a bit faster and as the shot is reversed as the parallel storylines start the music is also faster and as she gets on the train/misses the train the music starts to slow down and fade out. The editing of the opening is not very fast paced however does use a variety of different angles.