Short Film Analysis - Let it Be (Opening)

Let it Be

By Bertie Gilbert 

Camerawork 
Throughout the piece the camera is obviously handheld. In contrast to other texts who use this technique either to give a sense of unease or tension in particular scenes this use actually helps to build intimacy with the various characters in the text and this is highly effective at drawing the audience into the story that the film is telling. 

Editing 
The editing isn's a highlight of the film but it is highly competent it is primarily used to transition between the various cenes and this is done effectively as often a emotionally heavy moment in the narrative is effectively undercut by a comedic framing or some comedic dialogue. Take for example the opening of the piece which would could be played as quite dramatic however the slow zoom out of the camera and the comedic nature of the fact that a dog is being killed this allows the piece to take a more whymsical tone as the death of major characters is not a focus until later in the piece which gives that particular reveal a great deal more gravitas

Sound 
The music included in this makers films is often created by the musician "Tom Rosenthal" whose style is very distinctive his music is highly effective in this piece as it captures both the optimism of the future but also the somewhat childlike way in which the two main characters are acting and the strangely whimsical nature of the narrative.

The song used at the end of the piece is particularly effective as it builds to a crheesendo but then fades out as the impact of the nights actions sink in for the characters and it is replaced by the simple sound of the wind 

Narrative 
Named after the Beatles song the piece opens with the reveal of a woman about to kill a dog. You hear two people arguing over music in the back ground the camera then cuts to a shot of these two entering into the garden. They notice the girl and argue with her. She is then revealed to believe that she is actually the grim reaper.

Next scene inside the house with the two arguing over keeping her company. She does some bizarre things ( she is the comedic centre of the film). It is revealed that the two are broken up and that one is moving out. Cut to later in the evening as they prepare for a party. Then into a party as the couple try to reconsile and relax but the male pushes it too far and it is revealed that the woman was meant to die.

The piece concludes on a beach on the thames as the boy catches up with the girl and they have a heart to heart and the play ends with death discussing which beatle will die next