Hell Or High Water Scene Analysis

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Hell or High Water Mise-en-scène is the visual way to tell the story and set the tone through the use of actors, lighting, setting, décor, props, and costumes. It also encompasses how the scene is shot. In Hell or High Water the mise-en-scène elements of setting in rural Texas and the lighting are critical to revealing the independent Robin Hood, anti-corporate greed theme of the movie. The most important mise-en-scene element in Hell or High Water is the setting. Setting the movie in the wide-open wild-west Texas spaces is important because it underlies the independent Texas spirit which leads the brothers to fight against corporate greed. The wide open wild-west Texas spaces represent independence. The independent spirit can be found in many places in the film including the “Come and Take It” flag in the mobile home. This independent mindset has …show more content…

The bothers are trying to hide their sins in the darkness by burying the cars and evidence in the dark earth. Many of the scenes are shot in shadows and darkness to highlight the danger of their actions, and that they have sins in the past and present to hide. In the end the Ranger confronts Toby in the bright sunshine to confess his sins. Everything would be out in the open. The final scene of the movie tells the audience that Toby will never confess. As the Ranger drives off, the camera pans to the ground, showing that the Ranger and Toby will both take their secrets into the dark ground. While this movie could have been placed in any state or any town, the setting in rural West Texas highlights the independent Robin Hood working against corporate greed theme of the movie. Without the wide open spaces, the independent Wild West culture, and the dying rural towns the viewer would not have had the same sympathy for the brothers. The story would have been about loser brothers solely out to help

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