What is crime and gangster?
Crime and gangster movies focus on gangs and organized crime. They follow the acts of people breaking the law. Although it seems strange that people would want to promote unlawful activities most people find crime and the life of criminals to be extremely compelling. In other instances people find catching a criminal to be even more satisfying.
Content:
Creating suspense is extremely important especially in crime movies focusing on a murder mystery. The audience has to be kept on the edge of their seat at all times waiting to know what will happen. Suspense usually arises from some sort of conflict. A question might be asked such as “who is the murderer” and this creates tension.
Ex. Throughout most of the movie Se7ven know that there is a serial killer but we don't know who it is. A large part of the movie focuses on trying to figure out who is killing all these people. The movie uses this question on ‘who?’ to their advantage by making an investigation which is extremely intriguing.
“Red Herrings” is another technique that is frequently used in crime and gangster movies. Red herrings are clues that intentionally mislead people. Having multiple red herrings creates suspense and keeps the audience guessing. It misleads people down the wrong path.
Ex. Shutter Island is a great example of a red herring being used to keep that audience guessing and create suspense. Throughout most of the film people are led to believe that Ted is an actual detective investigating a disappearance of a patient in the island. Teddy believes that the doctors are using unethical and radical treatments on their patients, but it turns out that Teddy isnt an actual detective and he is a delusional killer. There are multiple red herrings in this movie and listing them all would take pages of writing.
Foreshadowing is another big technique used in crime and gangster films. It involves suggestions of things that may or may not happen. Just like red herrings they can be misleading, but they can also suggest what will actually happen. Foreshadowing can also be used to create atmosphere and mood.
Ex. When Andy Dusfrene suggests his idea to Red about escaping prison and moving to Mexico Red brushes it off as being “a sh**ty pipe dream”. Sure enough Andy would end up escaping Shawshank prison through a sh*t pipe.
Production techniques:
Some camera techniques that are important in crime and gangster films are high and low angle shots. These shots are used to make the characters look big and powerful. Its important to use these shots because making them look this way is exactly what a crime film needs. Low angle shots represent a character having power and authority. High angle shots show a character being vulnerable and typically in a bad situation.
Another camera technique that is frequently used is close up and extreme close ups. These shots are used to show a characters expressions in a given situation and help the audience understand what he is thinking or feeling through another way which isn't dialogue.
Some crime and gangster films to consider watching:
The Godfather
Goodfellas
Scarface
Breaking Bad
Better Call Saul
Peaky Blinders
The Irishman
Heat
The untouchables
