Mise-en-scene - Figure Expression

Wanted (2008)

Detail how figure expression are used to create meaning and understanding in a film.

The protagonist, Wesley, at the beginning is depicted as a very anxious and nervous character. With medication to settle his constant panic attacks, his body language is also a clear indicator of his neurosis. Wesley is often slouched and looking down at the floor, this shows that he has problems with maintaining eye contact and interacting with other people. He's also has very closed body language to replicate his feel of being trapped in his own body. His facial expression is often quite blank and inexpressive which could show how due to his anxiety, he's very overconscientious of his own life to pay attention to situations around him.

When Wesley meets Fox, the first action scene of the film takes place and it's then that the viewer sees Wesley pure state of panic to loud noises and his surroundings, something that dramatically changes towards the end of the film. Wesley has his head in his hand, trying to protect himself whilst being flung around the supermarket. His body language is still extremely closed and he's in a pure state of panic. But it's after that moment that Wesley realizes, he doesn't want to be trapped in the nervous prison of his body anymore, he wants to change.

Towards the end of the film and after his training from the Fraternity, Wesley's figure expression completely changes. His posture has instantly improved and he looks very confident, probably because he's now more comfortable with what he's become. He also looks far more awake and responsive to his surroundings, whereas before he seemed almost semi-comatosed. His general walk and his movements became very precise and accurate; meaning that he's found where he belongs. He no longer appears as the slumped, lazy and terrified person he was before. He's now a alert and awake person that is responsive to everything around him; and he's enjoying it, he's not longer a prisoner, he's been liberated.