LA Noire (2011) is a video game developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games. The game is widely available, released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows.
What Features of film noir do we see in LA Noire?
Immediately, from the starting screen of the game, we are faced with the game title, lifted by a metal construction. The bright lights, in which the title consists of, portrays the stereotypical glitz and glamour, bright lights and fame of LA. You could also argue that the dark backdrop brings your focus onto the title, but also, that this purposefully highlights LA as a bright, clear answer or opportunity in life (The white light portraying the good and pure). However, the lights flicker, which suggests that the glamour and "spark" of LA is broken and corrupt; much like film noire, everything is somewhat darkened and bleak.
Once onto the menu screen, we see the use of extreme dark shadows, created by a high intensity, single light source. This has particular reference to The Third Man, in which Harry Lime's shadow is cast upon the street walls. There is also suggestion of location from the menu screen; dark, gritty urban areas and alley ways; again, a conventional feature. The alley way specifically brings in a sense of closure, secrecy and claustrophobia; there is only one way out and, with reference to the game, is that one way out, finding the truth?
Title Opening scene:
Overview of opening:
By analysing the opening scene, we see many features of film noir.
The opening itself adopts many of the features from the classic film noir film LA Confidential.
Firstly, for example, the opening starts with two fine business men shaking hands pleasantly in a car dealing shop. As well as being very similar to the glamorous optimistic opening of LA Confidential, it also introduces us to one of many conventional film noir characters; the business man. Then, we are soon introduced to the "good cop" and his supposed wife, or, "marrying type". So far, up until 0.50, the opening is very optimistic, glamorous and "clean cut", stereotypical of the LA image. This is supported by the happy characters, bright colours, day time setting and indulgent, expressionist jazz music, particularly active within the 1950's and 1960's. The fact that it is day time, could suggest that the audience are, to an extent, assured that LA is a safe and comfortable place, as we can see everything in eye shot, as clear as day; there are no dark, hidden spaces. Focusing upon the titles, the font is very smart (expressing a serious, business/detective- like tone to the presentation), smoothly appearing and disappearing behind props and characters; portraying that LA is perfectly smooth. There is nothing "rough" and dark about it, or is there?
At 0.50, we see a cowboy riding a horse in the Wild West. Except, he isn't at all in the Wild West at all. He is simply on a mechanical horse with a backdrop behind him. Although you could simply justify that it is showing the primary industry of film within the city, another connotation, more linked to the features of film noir, is in fact the deceit and betrayal behind the action. Much like film noir, the truth (that the man isn't on a real horse) is hidden from the cinema audience supporting the themes of suspicion and discovery within film noir.
Voice Over:
The voice over, as like in "LA Confidential" is (supposedly) a character, automatically intriguing us as we begin to wander why he is saying certain things. These certain questionable quotes add to the enigmatic theme of film noir.
"City of dreams, where Hollywood will shape the thoughts and desires of the entire planet" This particular quote is quite ambiguous in its meaning, much like the moral ambiguity of characters within film noir. Dreams are seen to be very free and positive, however, with "Hollywood shaping the thoughts and desires", are they really ours? It hints a sense of inception, crime and power, especially because it is not the thoughts and desires of one person, it is the thoughts and desires of the "entire planet"
"The city of undercurrents, where not everything is as it seems. Focusing upon this quote, it is evidently in contrast with the rest of the opening dialogue. As a whole, the dialogue is about LA's development and opportunities, and how every man's house is his castle. However, we are then, very calmly, with no change in tone, hit with the statement that LA underlying state or feeling below the surface of it's image. This supports the film noir theme of mystery and deceit once again.
The whole voice over is spoken in a deep, gravely voice; not as "clean cut" as the image he is describing
Playing the game:
Once playing the game, we as an audience begin to see the extreme contrast between the opening and the actual game.
From the selection of cases to choose from, or starting with the first case at hand, the locations, such as alley ways, streets and business offices are used. Many of locations create a sense of claustrophobia and secrecy like in film noir, and this is achieved by the wet floors, rain, mist and fog, as well as night time setting, somewhat filling empty spaces and reflecting the little light there is. In the still above, we can see that the detective character is lit (back light) from the single light source of the car lights. This then creates dark shadows across the wall. If the car is the detective's this connotes that he (or we, if the audience are controlling him), have the answer, and are the light within the damp and dingy dark.
We can also see conventional feature of Mise en scene such as detective costumes (hat, suit, tie), props (gun, dated cars) and, as mentioned location. The props within the game are often used to convey another feature also. For example, the use of a torch achieves the high intensity spot light, like in "The Third Man"; only revealing certain aspects, therefore a sense of enigma is still with held. Another example, is the radio in the car, which is used to broadcast narrative advice.
Finally, while playing, old fashioned, slightly tense music is playing. This results in an uncomfortable tone but also emphasises the tense, serious job/situation of a detective.Camera work:
However, what both the opening and actual game have in common is that the camera keeps moving, for example panning round the car in the opening scene, or tracking the characters within the game. This connotes that LA is never still; there is always something going on, whether this be obvious to everyone or, more under the surface and darker, much like film noir.
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