Tim Burton clearly integrates a number of elements of Film
Noir in Batman. Batman conforms to the traditional Film Noir style in terms of
mood, style, conflicted heroism, and urban modernity, but at the same time
undermines the style in its use of female figure.
The mood and style of Batman is set from the very beginning
of the movie, the opening credit. The lighting is rather dark and low key,
which complements the dark and rich shadows that fill the screen. Such use of
lighting is further exploited throughout the movie, especially in the scenes
where Gotham city is shown. Gotham city is depicted as a place with generally
dark and heavy atmosphere, where there is barely any natural light from the
sun, and the alleys engulfed by nothing but shadow and darkness. The mood
radiated by the city is very mentally distorting, and gives its audience a
strong sense of claustrophobia, neatly falling into the style of Film Noir.
Gotham in itself is a crucial element of Batman that carries
the spirit of film noir. It’s an exaggerated, yet a classic representation of
modern day city - highly industrialized, heavily polluted, corrupted, and crime
infested. While the buildings are tall, modern and somewhat magnificent, there
is always a hint of darkness that haunts and lingers in every corner, every
building of the city, creating a strong sense of alienation and isolation,
keeping the audience mentally off-balanced. Such expressionistic portrayal of
Gotham city clearly is Tim Burton’s conscious effort to allow Batman to lean
into the territory of film noir.
The depiction of Bruce Wayne is another element of film noir
integrated into Batman. While it is very clear that Batman stands on the good
side, he can also be considered an anti-hero. He is not loved, he works in the
shadows, and although he has very clear set of moral codes of his own that he
follows, he yet is considered an outlaw by many. Furthermore, Bruce Wayne is
very mentally unstable due to him witnessing his parents’ death as a child. On
the surface, he is a perfectly normal and respectable gentleman but in the
inside, he seeks an outlet for his anger and terror induced by the tragic
event. Batman is the one outlet that Bruce Wayne has, and the element or noir
is shown in such a conflicted personality that Bruce Wayne/ Batman carries.
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One thing that doesn’t conform to the classic elements of
noir is Vicky Vale. She is just a normal career woman who isn’t seductive, does
not abuse the male character for wealth or power, is not dangerous, and though
beautiful, not necessarily glamorous. Tim Burton undermines film noir in use of
such a normal, rather insignificant female character, which is quite
interesting as a lot of elements in Batman charters the territory of film noir.
I love what you’re saying about how burton uses film noir to its full potential. In fact, I pretty much agree with all you’re saying Choi. However, regarding the character Vickie Vale, I wish that Burton would not have undermined the Fem-Fatal character. It really pisses me off. I think the Fem-Fatal character gives film noir the dramatic irony it needs. Without this suspense and tension I think film noir loses much of its fascinating qualities. Just think what if Batman was not only fighting the malevolent Joker, but also being dragged along by a seductive Vickie Vale. It would give the movie some emotional depth that I feel like it could have used. This from a plot development point of view would have been much more intriguing than Vale and Batman's one night stand. This I think is where, I believe, Burton should have stuck to the genres archetypal qualities.
ReplyDeleteI like how you mention the audience’s reaction to the setting of the film. Gotham City’s tall buildings, its pollution, and overall its industrialization, are effectively portrayed aspects of the movie’s aesthetics that produce an emotional response from the audience. This relates to the Film Noir “Mood and Style” that was influenced by German Expressionist lighting. Burton makes proper use of this visual style, which has dark light and cluttered space, and generates that “claustrophobic” feel in the audience, or as you describe it, “[keeps] the audience mentally off-balance”. I think this is the most important Film Noir characteristic that Burton includes in his movie because it creates that “sense of alienation”, and it engages the viewer in a mood or a feel that contributes to the thematic purposes of the film.
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