Goodfellas Opening Sequence Analysis

At first we see a tracking shot of the car which allows us to see the dark and isolated location of the road, and we see that it is empty which suggests it is at night. Therefore it sets the tone of the film to dark and gloomy, which is conventional for mafia thrillers. It then cuts to a medium close up of all three actors and we see them wearing suits with slicked back hair which is also a common convention for mafia thriller films. This acts as an identifier for the audience as it allows them to notice that the film is a mafia film, while also adding to the realism of the film. During this shot there is extended camera time which puts focus on the diegetic synchronous sound of the rumbling in the boot, along with this sound we hear the diegetic dialogue of the characters cursing frequently, which adds to the dark and sadistic tone of the film. As the actors get out the car it cuts to a zoom in shot centred on the boot which places emphasis on whats inside, combined with the synchronous sound of the banging building up tension with the slow motion of the zoom. This cuts to a medium wide shot of two of the actors both with their hands on their weapons, in simultaneous use with extended camera time, which suggests that it is a violent film and this also follows thriller conventions. This then follows with a pan into eye line match cut with a slow zoom in to put further emphasis and build up tension of the scene and create a greater shock as the boot is opened and the injured man is seen. As the boot opens the man with the knife uses diegetic dialogue to express his anger by cursing and the diegetic synchronous sound of the knife stabbings adds to this effect of expressive anger, suggesting the path the film will lead to.