Presentation Outline: Brick

I.          Brick is a film that was created in 2005 by Rian Johnson. The Protagonist Brendan a lonely Teenage Boy. Who finds himself in the search for his ex-girlfriend Emily murder at a southern California high school.

II.        Characteristics and Conventions of the Film that Link it to Classic Film Noir

1.      Ambiguous Protagonist

A.    Brendan plays the Hard-Boiled detective role very seriously in trying to   unveil the murder of his ex-girlfriend.

B. Brain-  has elements of an detective just like the protagonist.

2.      Overwhelming Anxiety
A.     Brendan receives a frantic called from Emily the day before she was murder which shows that there was something suspicion going on.

3.      Crime and Violence
A.     Seems to follow Brendan, he is beaten up multiple times. All them was   part of The Pin associate.
B.     Flashbacks-First day when Emily called Brendan at the phone booth went back to the same phone booth to set up Pin and Tugger.

C. Camera Angles and Low Lighting- many times low lighting barely showing the faces of the Protagonist, also the off balances show who has the authority at the time showing the control over that person.

III.       Elements of the Film that Deviate from Classic Film Noir and Link it to Neo Noir

1.      Two Femme Fatales
A.    Kara and Laura both try many times to manipulative Brendan with lust and greed.

2.      Anxieties of times
A.     The high school is corrupt with drugs like the urban environment.

3.      Location
A.     Deviates from noir settings high school in southern California.

 Source one :

In the article “Brick a classic film noir the modern age”  by Mr. Witticism he explains how Laura is similar to Brigid O’ Shaughnessy in the 40’s film The Maltese Falcon sing the same actual line referring to Now  your dangerous (Witticism). It related to the topic because Brendan knew already that Laura was up to something and he wasn't fall into the trap rather than most protagonists who falls into the trap of the femme fatale. 

Source Two:

In the article “Movies for grown-ups: Brick"  Jean Godard explains how the world of Brick is a world where adults barley exist much less matter and when they do exist are mostly played for intentional laughs, such as the brilliant scene where the warring teens are force to play nicer while in the presence of the main heavy’s clueless mother( Godard) This quote was related to the topic because there are only two parts where we see adults and that will be the vice-principal and the Pins mother. And when they are around the only two adults they are playing are innocent as if they’re not involve of the world of drugs.