Strangers on a Train Motifs
Alfred Hitchcock's, Strangers on a Train reinforces the duality of human nature and effectively transforms a highly improbable situation into a series of logical events, which lead to murder. Hitchcock has constructed most of the events in this particular movie around the idea of twos in regard to his film technique (crosscutting/match cuts) as well as a number of references to doubles (shoes in the opening scene) throughout Strangers on a Train. A great deal occurs in pairs in this film. These twos act as an integral part of the films plot. Furthermore, there are a number of reoccurring symbols or motifs in the film that go hand in hand with the idea of duality. In my section of this web project I am going to elaborate on a number of scenes from the film and provide evidence to support my various arguments regarding the idea of pairs. "You'd like your wife killed, wouldn't you? Ill do it for you if you'll kill someone for me, and since we're strangers we'll be free of suspicion."The film, Strangers on a Train is an extremely slick, psychological thriller that succeeds in tackling blackmail, murder and issues of taboo sexuality. This film is definitely one of Alfred Hitch
Guy's lighter has symbolic undertones as well. When Guy and Bruno are discussing the idea of swapping murders Guy acts like he isn't interested in the proposal, yet he listens intently and at no point does he seriously sound as if he is truly appalled by the idea. These two women lead very different lives to say the least. The scene at the party in which Guy is strangling a dim-witted older woman is set up to contrasts the lives of Barbara and Miriam while at the same time drawing a connection between them through a common object such as glasses. Guy desperately wants to marry the Senator's daughter but his old flame is all that stands in his way. Although she talks ignorantly at times, she really means well. There is definitely a contrast between the two men in that Guy is a very successful tennis player and Bruno could be described as a loser. Guy and Bruno would be on even ground in that they would each be living for that moment alone. Furthermore, when Bruno orders a pair of drinks on the train he orders one for Guy. After all, it would indeed solve his problem. Hitchcock has constructed most of the events in this particular movie around the idea of twos in regard to his film technique (cross-cutting/match cuts) as well as the number of references to doubles (shoes in the opening scene) throughout Strangers on a Train. In addition, the fact that Barbara resembles Miriam is no accident by any means. So much occurs in pairs in this film. These twos act as an integral part of the films plot.
Common topics in this essay:
Strangers Train,
Guy Bruno,
Barbara Miriam,
Alfred Hitchcock's,
Guy Guy,
Bruno Anthony,
Guy Haines,
strangers train,
Furthermore Bruno,
guy bruno,
cuts references doubles,
movie idea twos,
regard film technique,
twos regard film,
references doubles,
cuts references,
swapping murders,
doubles shoes,
miriam carnival,
regard film,
twos regard,
idea twos regard,
idea twos,
|