Task 3: Thriller Scenes

How are women represented in the 'Bathroom Brawl' scene in 'Fatal Attraction'? Consider stereotypical representations of the thriller genre such as the femme fatale and the victim.

Title: Fatal Attraction
Director: Adrian Lyne
Release Date: 18th September 1987
Location: US
Star Rating: 4.5/5
Running Time: 119 minutes
Worldwide gross: $320,145,693

Similar to the typical thriller character conventions, the two females in this scene of Fatal Attraction could both be described as being femme fatales; due to their sexualised image. Crucially, one notices that the director's choice of colour represents the two women in various ways. White typically symbolises light,  innocence and goodness - such connotations only conform to the persona of the female character with the brown hair (character A). One might suggest that white also connotes virginity and purity; thus juxtaposing the female character's persona with the blonde hair (character B) as she had an affair. Essentially, this confliction means that character B is represented in contrasting ways; one being the exterior representation and one being her inner self. Moreover, the colour white is also used in the scene to make the character B's brutality more predominant. This is done by enhancing the bright red stains of the blood on the clean white shirts, floor and bathroom surfaces. Additionally, character B is wearing red nail varnish; red has negative connotations of blood, danger and violence. Red also has connotations of passion, love and warmth - feelings that she may have felt during her affair with the male character. Once again, these two contrasting interpretations could both be representing her exterior and interior self - making the audience see the character's two sides. One might also suggest that the water is running onto character B's head towards the latter part of the scene could be seen as ironic. This is because the running water could be a symbol for the fluidity of life (plus it's one of the typical thriller themes) and the character is coming to the end of hers.

As well as the semiology, the camera angles also represent the two women in various ways in this scene. One notices that even at points of weakness (like when she was pushed), character B is still conveyed using a low angle shot (as seen to the left). This suggests to one that she is represented as being a superior character - until she is shot by character A. Significantly, character B is presented as the more prevailing character until she is temporarily drowned by the male character. One can tell this because once she has been drowned there is a high angle shot of her - thus representing her as weak and

vulnerable. At this point, she is looking up to the now powerful male character (using a low angle shot). Imperatively, one can identify that most of the shots of character A are mid shots (except one high angle shot which makes her seem inferior and therefore a weaker character. This is mirrored in the narrative as she has been cheated on by her husband). One might suggest that the mid shots represent her as quite a concealed character - due to the fact that her full body isn't shown which only gives the audience half of an impression of her. Again, this is reflected in her blindness to her husband's affair.

Moreover, sound is also used to represent the women in numerous ways. the diegetic sound of character A's screams and character B's frantic breathing both have different effects to the way they are represented. The screams from character A are shrill and terrifying; representing her as being genuinely scared and in danger. When compared with the heavy breathing sounds, character B is represented as more manic and psychotic because of the way that she is breathing as if she is working hard to kill/hurt character A. Furthermore, the diegetic sounds of the knife stabbing the ground and cutting the shower curtain fabric are very sharp and vociferous. Essentially, this highlights character B's savageness and therefore represents her as brutal. On top of this her grunts represent her as animalistic which mirrors the savageness of the diegetic knife sounds. Similarly, the silence which was followed by the gunshot from character A's gun was piercing and sharp - therefore breaking the calm and representing her as just as brutal as character B.

In conclusion, women are represented in the 'Bathroom Brawl' scene in 'Fatal Attraction' in two juxtaposing ways. character A is represented as a weak/vulnerable femme fatale who conceals part of her character but could be seen as just as savage as character be. Dissimilarly, character B is represented as being brutal, savage and psychotic with hints of failed attempted goodness on her exterior.