Okaythen's Negotiated Study ~Malcolm~

Okaythen's Negotiated Study
~Malcolm~

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Malcolm is a comedy film whose humor is uniquely Australian. Malcolm is a tram driver who is fired because of himself and his mind for gadgets. He is a character who is not quiet right, and the movie follows his life after him being fired from his previous Melbourne Tram job. He built his own one- man tram, out of his work's materials, and this led to him being exited. This and further more gadgets involve him throughout the film. Great acting from Colin Friels as Malcolm allows the viewer to become sorry for him as they find out more about him as the film progresses. He is an intelligent man, but hugely shy and unique to every one else. He is treated differently than normal people. But this is all put across in an entertaining comedy form.

Cinemtography

Genre: Comedy but similar in the few of suburban Australian lifestyle

Camera Angles:
In this film, similar to Erskineville Kings the camera shots are made up of all high, low and eye level shots, maybe more eye and high level shots but there are a few instances of low shots. There are a few instances of noticeable perspective shots though, but there are a lot more moving/tracking dolly shots, but not so many to detract from the angled shots. There are more movement and transport scenes in this film. With the storyline, these donate themselves well to this circumstance. The shots that are these particular types are well accustomed to the film's needs. Those shot types suit the plot, as it is played-out.

Sound:
The music is music that makes the viewer feel happy and relaxed and involved with the character Malcolm. There are no lyrics in the soundtrack. This lends itself well though, being a more though provoking film than an action blockbuster. Also the music isn't really quiet in the background, it's not real loud, but when its playing it is all that can be heard, no dialogue. There are no really dramatic sound effects. (Understandable). There are effects that are inconspicuous little things that add to the comedy effect. But nothing like electronic, digital sound improvers or anything. Just the use of engulfing music. The music acts as a part of the film, inserted as dialogue, and can still tell a lot with little words.

Shots:
The film is noticeably made/filmed in Australia, particularly in Australia in 1986. The way it's filmed to portray the character is Australian. The film can be instantly acknowledged as being Australian when you look at the shots of the setting on the buildings. The architectural shots define the Australian aspect. They are not majestic sweeping shots or anything, but they are able to take in the surrounds, and the happenings. There are quiet a few instances of camera shots where the camera has obviously been set up on the front or rear of a vehicle to get the shots. The film has quiet an automotive/mechanical feel about it.

Lighting:
In Malcolm the lighting is not a major element that contributes to it being uniquely Australian. The application of filters or lenses is not evident. There are instances of both night, and day shots though. One note is that the days aren't exactly bright, glarey sunny days. They tend to be average uninspiring days, or just cloudy days with a hint of sunlight. The film is not a sunny film. Yet without being a dismal, no feeling affair.

Language:
The language that is spoken in this film is not the typical language that is so often taken off on in other films. In other Australian comedy films the Australian ascent tends to be a bit taken off and over done, in an attempt to make it humorous. But this film doesn't lend itself to such a thing and the whole Aussie feel about the whole thing achieves this without over doing it. It is a fair indication of the kind of comedy that the film portrays. With this type of evidence of laid-back humor, it is the kind that only Australians could both write, and realize the humor involved.

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