Unforgiven Essay

1301 Words6 Pages
Pinkesh Mistry Extent of mise-en-scene in enhancing the narrative of Unforgiven (1992) Mise-en-scene is a term derived from the French used to describe the visual aspects that appear within a single shot before the camera in a film or theatre production. The use of these elements in the frame help create the ambience and mood. Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992) expresses many features common to the revisionist western genre which are achieved by the effective use of mise-en-scene. Eastwood does this through exploring the ideas of the plot/narration, the setting and various filming techniques. These include and are not limited to the set design, lighting, space, composition, costume and acting. Unforgiven (1992) begins with a duo of cowboys slashing the face of a prostitute. Unsatisfied with the town’s decision to let the cowboys roam freely without any charges, the group of prostitutes place a cash bounty on the cowboys. This bounty attracts a rookie gunman by the name of “The Schofield Kid” (Jaimz Woolvett) which gradually draws in the attention of aging assassin Will Munny (Clint Eastwood). Struggling with the death of his wife and the farming lifestyle at which he is no good at, Will rides off with his partner Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) to assassinate one more time. An essay written by M.J.F Chance named “The Hollywood Western as articulation of US national identity and history: Unforgiven vs The Searchers” states “Unforgiven can be seen as subversive, because in setting up a reward for the killing of the criminals, the women provide the impetus for the film’s plot, against the wishes of the men around them1”. The plot conflicts with the standard fundamentals found in western genre films. The fight for justice by lead characters Will, Ned and the Schofield Kid emerges from the group who are heavily disregarded in western films – prostitutes. A curious
Open Document