Essex boys

How does the extract from “Essex boys” use metaphorical space to foreshadow and represent morality?

By Amber Mackenzie

Essex boys is a very effective thriller in terms of establishing elements through using location, specifically metaphorical space.

In the shot above, there is light outside the car yet the inside is significantly darker. This may represent the darkness within the space he’s in. We get the image the darkness surrounding him may represent him at this point in time as a metaphorically dark character or may display his internal struggle and want to be in the light again as such. The cobwebs in the car create an unpleasant, unnerving atmosphere as they have connotations with the, commonly disliked and feared, spider. The cobwebs further entrap the character within the car. Furthermore, the cobwebs seem to dominate the steering wheel representing the characters lack of control due to disability to transport. On the contrast, they may display him being taken over by a more evil force, losing morality.

This shot is also effective in terms of establishment if morality through metaphorical space. The off-centre vanishing point disorientates the shot due to its peculiarity. It also makes the audience question where it leads as the character may which could represent his confusion within his life as he’s not sure where he’s going physically or metaphorically. The unpleasant colour palette is certainly displeasing to the eye, ugly and uncomfortable which displays morality. This is as it provides the shot with a bleak and hopeless sense. The fact the character is bent down implies a lack of power and control within his life making him seem smaller on camera displaying feelings of lacking importance. The shot is morally disorientating due to all of these features.

To conclude, the thriller “Essex boys” represents an unpleasant harsh reality of the morality within its characters. It does this through use of metaphorical spaces within its shots in addition to mise en scene above many more.