Recently, I watched the new Paul Thomas Anderson film “One Battle After Another” and thoroughly enjoyed its plot, humor, pacing, suspense curve, acting, and cinematography. There was, though, one scene in particular that stood out for me. Namely, the car chase towards the end of the movie. It was so unique, so unexpected, and so viscerally intense that it made me want to rewatch other iconic car chases from cinematic history and analyze how they affect storytelling and viewers’ emotions. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do now! If you’ve ever read my articles, then you know I’m a fan of intentional cinematography. Meaning, when filmmakers choose shot sizes, framing, camera movement, lighting, and so on, based on how they can enhance the storytelling and create an impact on the audience’s subconscious reaction. That’s why, to me, a good car chase isn’t only about who catches whom. It’s about how it makes us feel while it unfolds. Some scenes make us clutch the armrest, some make us laugh, and others move with the rhythm of a dance. And in P.T. Anderson’s case, they can leave us dizzy, as if we’ve been spinning right along with the camera. Grounded but thrilling car chases Before we jump into “One Battle After Another,” let’s travel back in history and look at some classic scenes that shaped how car chases work on screen. Starting, of course, with “Bullitt” from 1968. Steve McQueen’s pursuit through San Francisco in a dark green Ford Mustang is...
Published By: CineD - Thursday, 16 October