Two Smiling Faces
A minimalist set and similarly minimal directing style, the film explores three distinctive settings and nothing more. Initially, Pip's dire, bleak and needing bedroom -- if it can be considered that at all -- starts an empty canvas. Much like Pip himself, the room grows with time and despite a considerable lack of furniture, it is decorated with hordes of art by the young artist. Outside of his enclosure, the real world awaits: a beacon of joy and his only hobby, Pip's exploration is limited to the pathway to and from a particular park he enjoys, but alas stands as an escape and reason for observation. Finally, the park itself: a hub of activity and joy, this is Pip's main focus throughout life, and also the draw of Tess.
The tale explores the life of Pip, a lonesome and ill-treated male. Born into a life of little love or affection, a father too caught up in his own affairs to manage a child beside, Pip had nothing --- except his art; an otherwise failing student, sly hands and compulsory text books offered a means of expression. An adept painter but a lacking academic, Pip clung to his art and began interpreting the world around him, until the present: a seventeen year old observant, Pip regularly stalks the local playground in the hope of anything of the slightest of interest. The only other named character is Juliet. An expressive, single mother, Juliet takes her newly born
to the same playground every Saturday, and is the prize of Pip's consistency. Eventually, however, Juliet finally acknowledges Pip's enthusiasm and entertains him with a conversations. This is the basis for the film; the consequences of their communications.
Style will juxtapose according to the setting: in his room itself, the mise en scene will very dimly lit, shallow focused and depressing. The camera work will be shaky, uneasy, utilizing very tense camera shots, all in an attempt to expose the strife Pip lived through. In contrast, the outside will provide whole new perspective on his world; bright, colourful and exciting, with fast paced editing and more regular camera shots. Inside will exhibit a complete theme of isolation whereas outside will offer a whole new world.
The opening sequence attempts to capture all of this in one quick sequence. We initially capture Pip as a young age, immediately exposed to a life of neglect and isolation; here we see both his room and an abusive father. Next we quickly jump to a slightly aged Pip; him room more developed, artistic and his features growing. Much shorter in length, we finally jump to Pip in his present age and join his daily routine. Getting dressed, we follow his journey towards the playground, sporadically appearing in diffierent clothes in an attempt to suggest the progress of time. Finally, he reaches his usual bench; seated and ready to draw, we see rapid jumpcutting; his clothes and gestures quickly changing to suggest regular repetition. We focus on Juliet, progressively, until a climax occurs when Juliet aknowledges his stare. While the narrative ends here, intertwined throughout this scene is extremely limited flashbacks revealing a woman on a bed -- seemingly Juliet -- with blood streaked across her face, a bed, and an ash tray -- with a hand gripping it. It seems Pip has killed her.
The film will only feature a fairly limited cast. Pip and his two younger counterparts; Pip's father in a flash back; Juliet; and other nameless characters in the playground (or on the way). Pip and Juliet will sharply contrast each other; Pip wearing rags, dull and lifeless garments, covering most of his skin, whereas Juliet will be fairly attractive -- bright colours, and so forth. The whole film stands to juxtapose the different lifestyles and upbringings.