Conventions of a Gangster movie

Conventions of a Gangster movie

Plot lines

• Highlight of the gangster

Showcasing a dramatisation of Gangster lifestyle, with scenes of the Gangster having the upper hand over of rivals or enemies, exaggerated violence and action scenes, or not following the norms of the society the gangster is in. It gives a sense of escapism to the audience who probably will sympathise with the Gangster at the end of the film.

• Rise and fall of the gangster

The rise of the gangster usually involves them breaking away from their original lifestyle which they find restricting as it cannot fulfil their dreams to attain something for themselves. This could include success, wealth, power or respect. We follow the gangster as they tackle the different conflict or trouble they get into and see them rise to the top of said gang or in the family. However, due to the immorality they develop in order to rise or facade they put up, they lose something often a consequence is also formed. The fall is a sense for them to reflect on their life and see what they have built destroyed or taken over which gives a sense of failure towards the storyline.

• Morality

Gangster in films seem to have an end goal whether this may be success, climbing the ranks in the gang, love, power, wealth, possessions, they are always ambitious in order to gain recognition. Their development as a character often has to lose something in order to attain their ambition which includes the loss of morality. However, the downward spiral to immorality becomes their downfall as once their goal is attained they need to compete to keep it the same or often want to gain more from it further falling back to the crime or betrayal.

• Power struggles

The conflict in Gangster films usually centre around the power struggles faced by the gangster which could come in forms from rival gangs or families, the authority which is the police or a higher up; alternatively, it could be from personal reasons like a rival from their past or competitive gang member. They are able to overcome this through being street smart, ambitious and materialistic. Their efforts if successful are often recognised by their superiors or the heads of the family and rewarded by recognition or respect.

Themes

• Betrayal

Could come from someone in their family or gang betraying them, falling out from a friendship, a hit placed on them or the gangster could turn their backs on the gang and end up betraying them usually going to authorities or selling them out to a rival family.

• Loyalty

Loyalty is heavily shown in the gangster way of life to the point that it could be viewed as a form of fear as it is frowned upon to go against the family seeing it as a crime punishable by death. The dependence the gangster has on gang could be compared to brotherhood or their family, showing an undying loyalty towards the group. However, the extreme loyalty towards the gang is close to unhealthy due to them accepting immorality and leading them deeper into the life of crime and corruption.

• Violence

Violence is prominent in the gangster films, often shown through the weapons used for example the most common being guns and sometimes knives. However, the overuse of the gore element such as the exaggerated blood scenes makes the genre more impactful though it gives the audience a sense of reassurance due to the fact it is not realistic. It adds to the gritty nature of crimes for the gangster genre. The inclusion of violence scenes reveals who has the most power or upper hand over characters and the use of red either through lighting or mise en scene adds to the danger or ominous aspect of it.

• Power

The rise to get their ambition and recognition prompt the gangster genre to be about gaining power, from the showcase of ranks or families in the community there is always signs of a power struggle. Whether it be the rivalry with another gang, trying to keep up with the crime business, or getting their materialistic desires the gangster would have to survive the power struggle happening.

• Women

Women are often used as an end game towards the gangster, they are often shown as a trophy, possession or a sense of achievement. The sister or the women in the family are often protected by the men in the more traditional way, this can be seen as they do not interfere or participate in any of the crime life and tend to the family or home. Other tropes include them being sexualised in which the colour red is often used for their colour of clothing. The damsel which is portrayed as weak and the need for her to be saved from situations. Another is the naive or innocent girl who remains ignorant to the gangsters' lifestyle and is often deceived through the charisma of the gangster as to what is going on in their life.

Mise- en scene

Gangsters dress to look professional due to the hierarchy and power facade they portray. It also represents wealth and ambition being that gangster families are run like a business. They dress in the following

• Suits
• Trench coats
• Hats

Women typically wear

• Dresses
• Jewellery
• Red colour/ Red lipstick
• Curled hair 

To further portray the signs of wealth actual money can be seen to represent heist from banks, or blood money for crimes. Watches, rings, or chains, especially in gold or silver, are used to give across the message of wealth as well.

Weapons that are commonly used are guns though knives are sometimes used.

Smoking
Cigars tend to showcase wealth too as they are more expensive than cigarettes.

Setting

Urban/cities, industrial areas

Notable sets include an office usually the main office is the Dons, deserted areas, such as streets or alleyways used for violence scenes and bars.

Lighting/ Sound

• Low-level lighting
• Dimly lit
• Natural lighting when shot outside

The above give a more realistic and gritty look which is geared towards the genre. Some scenes are usually dark and the lighting will be focused on one area or character giving off a sense of dominance or to further.

Sound includes

Diegetic dialogue

Sound bridges

Voice overs along non diegetic music although this is used in more modern gangtser films.

Editing

Quick Cuts

Black and White

Camera angles/ shots

Trunk shots- low angle shots, canted?

Mid shots- flat angle,

Two shots- relationships of characters

Long shots/ establishing for the settings

Close up on facial expressions

Over the shoulder

High and low angles

Low angle 

Track in and out


Panning and cranes