Analysis: Blue Velvet

Analysis: Blue Velvet 

'Blue Velvet' is widely considered one the best neo-noir films ever made. It keeps with the idea of a noir film being revolutionary for its time, in terms of how dark it is tonally and thematically. 

The opening credits definitely have the traditional noir feel. The opening score has the jazz-like film noir sound, and the titles themselves feature stylised writing. The background is, however, much different. We see actual blue velvet swaying as opposed to something plain, like in the majority of noirs. The film itself opens with the song 'Blue Velvet' by Bobby Vinton, and the first image we see is of a classic white picket fence. Both of which really give the film a 1950s feel. Along with the white picket fence, we see a pure blue sky and red roses. This is essentially mimicking the high contrast black and white, seen in early film noir, with an explosion of multiple colours. This has been done as it is the only way to create that contrast while trying to modernise it. 

A colourful environment has been created to make 'Blue Velvet' initially appear lighter in tone. The next few shots are further evidence of this. We see a fireman waving as he enters and exits the frame, more colourful flowers, and children being happily guided across the road. However, everything abruptly changes as we see a woman watching a black and white film on TV, while the only image we can see of it features a gun. This then leads into the freak accident taking place outside the house. A man is watering his garden, while shots of the hose getting stuck and breaking are shown. The man then suddenly has a heart attack, while a dog aggressively tries to get at the hose. An innocent baby, dressed in all white, looks on, before we are taken underneath the garden to reveal insects eating and fighting, almost in pitch black. This is supposed to highlight, early on, the true nature and reality of the world we live in, so the darkness we see in film noir may not be that far-fetched. We then see shots of the entire town, possibly implying that its true nature and darkness will be revealed next.