Scene Analysis from Water (1985)

Analysis of scene from 1.10 to 4.05

Water (1985) is another British comedy film which was directed by Dick Clement and produced by Ian La Frenais and Denis O' Brien. The film was officially distributed by Atlantic Studios and grossed $510,136 on its opening weekend. The film features farcical and physical humour.

Generally, the film appeals to an older audience, comprised of a B/C/D socio economic group and strugglers, reformers and aspirers, as the film features drug references and concerns a plot which revolves around money and business prospects. Throughout the film, there are various stereotypes and accurate representations of people in society, such as Rastafarians and posh Downing Street ministers.

The film revolves is situated in the fictional Caribbean British colony of Cascara. This blissful colony is secretly out of the media gaze. Though the peace is disturbed when an American drilling company begin to know about an oil rig delivering fresh mineral water. Therefore, the water proves to be lucrative prospect,with different parties, including Downing Street, the Cascara Liberation Front, the White House and the Cubans taking an interest, which threatens to destroy the inhabitants' lives.

Within this clip, the theme of colonisation is referenced, with the long shot of the British flag being raised in a Caribbean island. Interestingly, the two black servants are subservient to their white master, as signified in a medium shot as they refer to their master as the 'Guv'nor' and are signified with a tray and a which contains tea and fruit. The protagonist, Michael Caine is introduced in a medium shot smoking a cigarette, which connotes his laid back lifestyle. Though, the binary opposition between the servants and the protagonist is clear as they follow his command, and could be racist as black people are stereotyped as the' slaves'. Funnily the servant's dialect is posh, though they still are laid back, as signified in a medium shot where one of the servant's smokes a joint. The other's servants response is comical, as he says ' This is a heavy duty herbs boss', this connotes how black people are stereotyped as being drug addicts.

The use of cuts show introduce different character, with the priest and the guerrillas introduced in a medium and high angle shot. Though the use of the zoom focuses out to signify the Rastafarian DJ who's use of English is more formal, as he refers to himself as a BBC correspondent which is comical and strange. The comical aspect is when he looks out of the window, and refers to the weather as being 'hot', which is ironic, as Caribbean countries are usually baking hot. Though the weather becomes more windy. The camera shifts to signify Billy Connolly in a long shot, as he progresses up the ladder. Though, as he parasials down the rope, the parallel sound of the Caribbean music is subtle, as the diegitic sound of him screaming and acrobatically movements connote how he is over the top. As a result, Connolly crashes through the ceiling, in comical circumstances, which connotes how he is a buffoon.