This extract from the video shows how isolated the main character feels in a dull society and reality.
The beginning starts with random strangers that are wearing dark clothing. Despite the bolder clothing, they fade into the background, leaving Elliot solely focused in the shop. That shot switched from a two-shot to an over-the-shoulder shot. As the guy on the train talks to Elliot, some shot-reverse-shots are seen. The sound changes from soundtrack music to sound effects of the train and the dialogue, when Elliot is pulled out of his thoughts back to reality.
The mise-en-scène of the first scene is displayed when Elliot got pulled out of his thoughts by the older man on the train. More details and features are much better shown, like the people and location. The peoples clothing appear darker, but not vibrant. The people’s faces are worn out or weary looking, emphasizing how mundane reality can actually be. More details are seen to be only focused most of the time around Elliot. So anything other than Elliot is blurred, seeming to not matter at all.
The audience is then introduced to Elliot’s mundane and boring job life. The soundtrack music switches to the sound effects of the work office, being pulled back again into reality. The camera angle switches from character to character as Elliot is talking to what looks like his boss and Angela, his best friend, but the camera angle remains over-the-shoulder. Elliot’s memory is then shown in a cut-away, come where he is seen not entering a place, probably because he is always alone and wants to be by himself. Shot-reverse-shots are seen between Elliot and Angela. A new character appears with a disdainful look concerning Elliot. The character’s probably an example of the type of people who make him feel lonely and isolated.
The mise-en-scène of this scene is demonstrated by the office type setting and people. People with suits and dressy outfits are shown. The people’s faces do not really show any emotion, giving the sense that they are living the same mundane day over and over again as if they are living in a continuous loop that society deems necessary for one to serve a menial purpose in the grand scheme of things. The name AllSafe is slightly highlighted, as if everything in society is safe when in reality society is anything but safe. Once again everything is slightly blurry, until Elliot focuses more on his surroundings. Elliot does not really put much attention to his surroundings there because he does not like his job, as he said in the conversation between him and Angela about their work.
In the counseling scene, the sound changes again from the soundtrack music to the dialogue between him and Krista. It is showing how much he does not care for the sessions, wanting to be alone. There is then a cut-away showing the information Elliot was talking about, once again being distracted and in his own thoughts. There is some shot-reverse-shots between Elliot and Krista, even though Krista is the only one seen talking, probably hinting at the fact that if Elliot was anyone else there would be a normal conversation. The silence is then emphasized for a short moment before Elliot starts talking passionately about how he hates society. There are then many cut-away shots showing what Elliot is talking about and what he means by it. At the end, there is a sting when Krista’s voice rings out, bringing the viewers and Elliot back to reality, which shows how Elliot is not voicing his opinion and is still feeling isolated in a messed up society.
The mise-en-scène is introduced in a counseling office scene. There is low lighting, but Krista is highlighted. Everything else is dark enough to just blend in the background. Krista’s items, like her jewelry and ‘I Voted’ sticker are also emphasized in how they relate to society.
Overall, the shifting between soundtrack music and sound effects, the mise-en-scène, and the camera angles combined to create the effect that Elliot lives an isolated and mundane life. The constant monologue in Elliot’s head shows how he talks to himself more than he talks to other people. He often daydreams and this just further shows how isolated he feels in a messed up society, where he cannot change anything.