MovieChat Forums > The Manchurian Candidate (2004) Discussion > Whats with the characters talking at the...

Whats with the characters talking at the camera?


Why does J. Demme have his actors do that? it's so awkward...

reply

Personally, I think that might be a POV shot from the character's perspective. The awkwardness may come from seeing how paranoid the person is about having those dreams they have from having recall.

And if I may add... that just may be John Demme's shooting style, I've seen the same method done in the movie Philadelphia. I hope I helped!

"I said forget about it cuz."
- Paul Walker in 2Fast 2Furious

reply

and many other of his movies...
Silence Of The Lambs, The Truth About Charlie...

reply

Just an stylistic choice. Yes, it's a bit awkward, but that's the point.


__________________________________
I am Jack's smirking revenge.

reply

Just an stylistic choice. Yes, it's a bit awkward, but that's the point.


^^This. I agree and it also places you in the other person's position like they're talking to you. I don't mind that though, I thought it was cool in Silence, Philadelphia, Truth About Charlie & TMC. It's kind of his signature thing.

"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit me!"- Hudson in Aliens.

reply

[deleted]

He mentions it in Director's comments on DVD when Soldier stops Marco after his Boy Scout speech as a tool to show how unraveled he is becoming.

An independent mind is difficult to enslave.

reply

Demme does that in Silence Of The Lambs also. It gets to you like most,obviously---case closed.

reply