Visually stunning.
These were among the first words to pop into my head when
the film began. The lights, the colors, the set, the choreography… Everything
advances the plot in this movie.
Let’s begin with the “Pink” scene. It is the background for
the fashion industry. It’s bright, it’s sunny, it’s ludicrous, and it’d
synchronized. The set remains bright and shallow until the bookstore. Here we
see for the first time dark colors, and depth of lighting, texture and hue. We
also see a woman who is clearly not interested in the fashion world. As the
ladies and gentleman take over, there is a transformation. Colors and chaos
ensue.
After they leave, Jo finds a hat left behind. The bright
yellow stands out against the dull bookshop. There are patches of light and
shadow. Books, knowledge, lay scattered about still as she contemplates life.
The scarf of the hat is experimented with, the color tried and approved. It,
along with her first song and dance routine, shows the merging of the two
worlds in her mind. The struggle between mind and body begins. I cannot explain the scene correctly, the
words will not come, but it was beautiful. I can’t get it out of my head.
Color is used a lot in this film, beyond the contrast
between fashion and wisdom. Certain colors have their own story. In the dark
room, the color is red. Later, after the café run-in between Jo and the
photographer, there are red lights in the background. Lights, not set. Many if
the lights were colored. It felt more like a painting than a photograph, less
like the real thing. Once more time is spent outside, where both the tones of
fashion and knowledge could be at home, the indoor scenes mellow. The two
worlds grow closer and closer.
Choreography deserves a word, as well. There are many styles
of dance represented in this picture. The music and dance build the scene,
reinforcing the concepts put forth through the set and dialogue. Jo’s
never-ending internal conflict is elaborated on though her participation in the
various styles. Other characters stayed in the same genre, if you will, of
dance. This helped explain their characters as well.
Obviously the costumes were fun. Reflections of the wearers
themselves, the clothes were doubly important because of the importance of
fashion in the film. They were well done.
Funny Face was a
fun movie with a lighthearted story told in a beautiful, brilliant manner. I
recommend it.
