Cinematheque

Ratcatcher
Dir. Lynne Ramasay (1999)
Great Britain



Two nodal points of interest that I would like to discuss: the framing is well constructed and the camera movements compliment this fact. This scene is almost reminiscent of the famous tracking shot in Citizen Kane because both comparatively employ the idea of a frame within a frame. The "invisible" film frame that the viewer unconsciously accepts and the physical frame of the window both create the illusion of depth.

Another aspect of the scene that I enjoy is the character movement within the space revealed. The protagonist James (William Eadie) haphazardly walks to the window, whimsically throws himself into the field, and then proceeds to galavant without a care in the world. It's a nice idea to roam about in search of happiness and pleasure, especially in the circumstance displayed, because it is utterly pure and innocent.


Overall, I recommend this film because of its mastery of imagery and dialogue. The imagery throughout the film contrasts a state of disrepair and urban decay with the imposing natural landscape surrounding Glasgow. The dialogue, though at times hard to decipher, does a good job of creating a particular milieu and also proves to be surprisingly humorous.