To become the best, we have to learn from the best.
Touch of Evil is the fantastic story of a highly respected cop being accused of fixing evidence and getting false convictions and a Mexican cop's journey to expose him.
Of course there is a woman, a murder, a conversation conducted through a mirror and a journey of unravelling the crime.
Let's begin breaking down my favourite
frames from the film that encapsulate what I think are some of the
pivotal points of importance in the story.
Let's get started!
The ticking time bomb, used in quite the literal sense as the opening shows us from the start that the theme of the film is about time running out. For the most part, it is about time running out for the detectives secrets of false convictions and planted evidence. It's about secrets exploding when they run their course.
The classic conversation through a mirror convention that has been re-used and re-invented time and time again. This one shows the man in an incredibly dominant state as we see him twice, he is taking up half of the frame and she is standing behind him. She looks small and is small at this point.
As the detective walks through the area we see him walking behind these cross shaped supports. A nice subtle touch as you don't notice it too much but once again it is a good example of an environmental cage that frames the characters with something to hide.
The Mexican detective is being literally singled out at this point. His difference of morals to that of the corrupted detective with a shady practice to hide is hinted at in this frame. He is shown in this frame of the door, singled out in the frame and tiny in relation to the other two.
Like in Notorious, a conversation is carried out that we cannot see. The director could have had a cut away of the conversation but it's more effective that we, like her don't see it. We then share her anxiety of the unknown. It makes us ask questions and fearful of what might happen next.
Like the reaper himself creeping into the room, the lighting is dark and ominous as the shadow floats into the frame. The murderer who we do not see (making us ask questions) is the symbol of death and chaos. He represents the death of morality and innocence as an innocent man is murdered for selfish reasons.
The Mexican detective is onto the corrupt detective. Is there any better way to show the impending clash of two equally matched adversaries about to chase each other to the victor is revealed? The head of the game representing the hunter and prey mentality the detective has now. We know, a war is about to happen.
The corrupt detective who maintained at least some element of concious, all-be-it a minuscule amount has committed fully to the darkness of his heart and shot his friend. His world is turned on its head and distorted by his selfish need to keep his reputation over what's right. Shown here by the unusual low slanted angle.
I adore this film and it is an absolute marvel at the potential of cinematic storytelling. The opening scene alone is a single shot that spends minutes craning, swooping, moving, tilting, panning and moving in and out and around scenery. It it a dynamic and beautiful film that deals with a great tragedy of the human condition: loosing oneself in arrogance and reputation and committing to darkness. It is a slipper road from which only death and rebirth can save you. This film shows that fantastically.
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