High Rise

High Rise

By Gabrielle Russell

Throughout the film you do not find out much about the mother, her name or her job, but you begin to realize the struggles she is facing and how she is suffering with post natal depression. This theme is represented through emotions, the contrast between the excited woman on the game show, and the jealousy of the mother, wishing to change her life, and leaving the room to run away from the situation of her child possibly about to fall out of the window.

the film starts with setting the scene, showing the high rise block of flats, with panning shots towards her flat, and immediately showing the open window. The shots then pan towards the mother, watching a game show away from her child. The is subtle movements with the camera, that highlight certain areas of the room, giving the feeling of a small dull room, but also of hopelessness and loneliness.

Sound is a very important aspect to this film, with the game show being the main sound focus, displaying an excited woman on the television, about to win a sum of money. "Hear that final jackpot question' is called in the background, said at the same time her baby throws the doll near the window. This could be portrayed as the moment in which the young mothers life could change forever. The sudden screaming is also a very effective moment, that snaps the mother back into reality, forcing the mother to run back into the room, to realise it was the television screaming, and not her child.

At first when watching the film, you get feelings of frustration and impatience, not fully understanding why the mother could walk out of the room when her child is inches away from death itself, but then you learn to sympathies with the mother. I think the film was highly successful, and leaves the viewer wondering more about the life of the mother and child.