The Mise-en-Scene of John Wick

 The Mise-en-Scene of John Wick

 

    For this particular post, I was tasked with analyzing the mise-en-scene of a film and explaining how it helps to tell the story. The movie I decided to watch was John Wick. It is about a former assassin that is forced to come back to the world of killing that he just recently left when the son of a Russian gangster kills his dog and steals his car. The reason I choose this film is partly that I knew that there were many attributes about the movie that was aided by the mise-en-scene and because I truly enjoyed watching it. The four general parts of the mise-em-scene that I will be describing as part of the film are the setting, lighting, dressing, and staging, and how they help to enhance the film.

    The first part of the mise-en-scene for the movie that I will talk about is the setting. The movie takes place in New York, but not the lively, bustling skylines and crowded streets that most people resonate with the Big Apple; it dives into the criminal underworld of the city, where assassins and mercenaries lurk. To compliment the location, much of the movie is spent at night or during a gray and gloomy day. This helps to set the mood of the movie as grim and gritty, immediately telling the audience that this isn't going to be some happy-go-lucky film. Much of the movie is spent in the dark, often reflecting how John is feeling when he is suddenly thrust back into the evil and sinister world he just left. The scenes where he is remembering his recently passed-away wife are accompanied by beautiful weather or set on comforting and relaxing locations, symbolizing his satisfied and happy state of mind when with his wife. The entire setting of the movie really excited me when watching because this was a part of New York City that isn't shown very often; the dark, brooding, and malicious site that houses the threatening realm of organized crime. 

    Moving along, lighting is another important part of the mise-en-scene that helped elevate the film. The movie uses a lot of low-key lighting to supplement the dark atmosphere it gives off, and it uses some high-key lighting as well when needed. A particular film that summarizes most of the lighting is the scene when Viggo explains to his son just exactly who John Wick is. During the conversation between father and son, the lounge area is very well lit, for the reason of allowing the audience to fully take in the expressions and emotions of the characters. While this scene is playing out, it periodically cuts to John making his down to the basement of his home, digging back up the case full of his old weapons. The cuts to John are dark and mask his face as if to portray him as a monster. When John eventually digs back up his case, three-point lighting is used to unveil what it was he was so desperately trying to get back. The lighting in the movie is most often used to display to state-of-mind of the characters within the scene, either to show fear and terror or determination and sheer willpower.

    Costumes are another factor of the mise-en-scene that I believe helped to contribute to the success of the movie. Many of the characters throughout the film are clad in suits that radiate their societal and financial status. Characters are wearing very expensive-looking suits that most people could only dream of affording. One particular aspect of the dressing that really found interesting is John's attire throughout the runtime. At first, he is mainly dressed in normal, casual clothing, and when he is forced to go back to killing, he dons on his suit and tie, announcing that he has returned from his brief moment of bliss. The suit itself is nothing special, but it is what it represents that not only tells the audience what they need to know about John, but also the characters in the movie as well, leading them to ask, when they see him with the suit on if he is "working".

    The last part of the mise-en-scene that I will mention is the staging used throughout the movie. Most of the movie is staged in a way that has people distant from John, whether to convey their fear or respect for him. Whenever John walks into a room everyone takes a step back, gives their full attention to him, and makes sure to stay out of his way, if he wants them to notice, that is. Whenever there is an action scene, he is always outnumbered, but cleverly cuts and guns his way through the many assailants that come at him. He rarely tries to fight multiple people at the same time, often taking out his current opponent before he moves on to the next, which always keeps him at the center of attention on the screen. The movie also likes to place him in darkness, especially when sneaking up on an unassuming victim, as if to say that he is what lurks in the dark; he is what the criminal underworld fears the most at they lie to sleep at night. Similarly, whenever John goes to specially meet someone, sometimes they often break and a bottle of wine or vodka, with extra glass to give to John. The explains that most of them think that John has come to end their life, and they are having one last drink, and the courtesy to give some to John as well. The staging in the movie exemplifies the respect the characters have for John and the power that he radiates as he mows down his enemies.

    All in all, the different parts so the mise-en-scene of John Wick truly do contribute to the overall experience when watching the movie. Truly, I believe that the factors of setting, lighting, dressing and staging all played their own part in making the film as great as it could be.