Dead Man Formal Analysis

Answer

Dead Man Formal Analysis

Analyze this scene from Dead Man, in terms of it use of elements from the Western genre. In what ways does Jarmusch subvert the usual meanings of the Western film? Place the scene in the context of the film, referring to any other relevant scenes. Refer to the chapter on genre from the textbook

            Dead Man (81995) directed by Jim Jarmusch is a psychedelic Western including surreal elements and twists of the western genre. The film is shot in monochrome format as evident in the clip chosen for the analysis. Dead Man is one of the films which premiers postmodern Western genre. The major aim of this essay is to examine a clip from Dead Man film while examining how Jarmusch have subverted the usual meanings attached to the Western film.

            In the clip, a hero can be seen saving the life of an injured man. This is a common characteristic of western genre. Evidently, the heroes of Westerns are constantly engaging in efforts of saving damsels in distress. In the clip, a hero is seen trying to spare a man’s life by removing what appears to be a bullet. The tale in the film is used to tell a simple tale of morality which appears to be morally ambiguous. Moreover, it is evident that Westerns normally stress on isolation and harshness of the wilderness and also frequently set their action with a desolate landscape with arid feature (Corrigan and White 332). This factor is true as evident in the scene under the analysis. Evidently, the landscape is arid as seen in the background. Moreover, it is a fact that western films have isolated ranches or Native American villages. In the clip, it can be seen that the setting is deserted which also lacks proper structure.

            Jarmusch has subverted the usual meaning if the western film in various ways. For instance, this is evident in the cultural allusions created in Dead Man. For instance, despite the fact that the film was set during the 19^th century, several 20^th century references of the American culture can be seen. Looking at the portrayal of the Native Americans, it is evident that the producers played a significant role in providing the Native American cultural sense in the film as relayed in the clip. For instance, it can be seen that the culture is reflected in the type of clothing worn by the characters in the film. Conversations are also carried out in Blackfoot and Cree languages. Despite not being a common language, it is evident that the languages are not provided in subtitles are also translated (Rosenbaum 14). This is mainly focused on meeting the needs and attention of the Native American viewers.

            Looking at the plot in the presented scene, it is evident that Blake wakes up to find Gary Farmer, a Native American man striving the eliminate a bullet in his chest. In this scene, Gary refers to himself as a “nobody” since he cannot remove the bullet as it is close to Blake’s heart. In this case, Gary considers Blake to be a dead man walking. However, he later makes the decision to offer him the needed care after learning of Blake’s identity. Notably, Gary learns that indeed the man is William Blake, a poet whom he strongly idolizes despite the fact that Black was ignorant. Through the use of native methods of treatment, Gary makes the decision to care for Blake to make him have a less painful death. With this aspect of the plot, conflict is created.

            Looking at the background available in the scene provided in the clip, it is evident that the landscape is vast and also seems to be more vivid in comparison to the backdrop. This is considered as a character in the film. The format are focused on stressing on the spectacular Western landscape which further presents a mythic vision to the viewers about the deserts and the plains which were embodies in memorable geographic features such as the Monument Valley, and the mesas among others. The Native Character also evident in the film is also displayed by Gary Farmer who is a Cayuga representing the Indigenous American actor.

            It can be described that in Deadman, the usual meanings associated with the Western film genre as subverted as reflected by the plot, characters and setting. In this case, the plot whereby Gary work as a hero to save Blake’s life can be used to cause conflict in the story. Gary who is an indigenous American actor is also used to represent characters matching the western film genre requirements.