The textbook categorizes sound in film into three categories. Those categories are dialogue, sound effects, and music.
Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011) defines dialogue simply as “characters talking to one another in films” (p. 151). There are three reason to use dialogue in films “1)to further the development of the plot 2)to enhance characterizations and 3) to establish very quickly important information the audience needs to know to understand action” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011, p.152).
Sound effects are used “to draw the audience into the movie and keep it there” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011, p. 154).
According to Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011) “music has been a crucial part of the moviegoing experience since before the advent of recorded sound in films” (p. 156).
In the movie, Carlito’s Way, the dialogue provides insight into the life experiences of the main character, Carlito Brigante and the different obstacles he encounters in the film. In the courtroom scene, we get an understanding of Carlito’s past and his future expectations of life through not only his conversations with the judge and his lawyer, but with himself as well.
As explained earlier in my blog, this dialogue sets the plot up for the audience and gives it some idea of what to expect as the film progresses. It also immediately provides pertinent information to the audience that is key to following the movie.
The sound effects play an important role in this movie as well. In the shootout scenes, the sound of the guns, the screams, and the shattering of glass intensifies the impact the scenes have on the audience. In “Carlito’s Way – Carlito’s Death Scene”, the sounds of the gunfire are very powerful in the effect the scene has on the audience. It is just as powerful as the dialogue that takes place in this scene.
In this movie, the music was a very important element. In each scene, the background music played a role in connecting the audience to the film. From the music played during the club scenes to the solemn music played as Gail said her final good-byes to Carlito after Benny shot him in the sub way.
The music (mostly disco, fast paced, or solemn) is common for movies in the gangster film genre, especially for movies set in this time period.
(Below is a link to the soundtrack of “Carlito’s Way”)
The effects of dialogue, sound effects, and music are all realistic and expected for this movie. All elements of sound coincide precisely with the film.
If either sound element were removed it would change the film greatly. The dialogue connects the audience to the main character. The sound effects gives the audience the feel of being in the scene as the action is taking place. The music helps the audience relate to the setting of the movie. If either of these elements were changed or removed the audience’s perception of the film could be alter from the editor’s and director’s intent of the film.
References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Movieclip. (2011, Oct. 24). Carlito’s Way . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1WKEjSevBo
Movieclip. (2010, Nov. 11). CARLITO´S WAY (1993) SOUNDTRACK . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCdf0NzQt4o&list=PLJISsKlP6SoMCmqLuxZwDjvEi8kdBVhkf
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