Mike Nichols, 1967
Surtees
Use of close-up, around head, for psychology. Smoothish tracking. Combined with Panavision becomes a play of balances. The head balanced by the fishtank, dartboard etc. Very rich series of resonances, often humorous. As the film goes on the shots get longer; outside of Hoffman’s head.
Use of these close-ups with something in the distance, creates amusing juxtapositions and suspense. Framing one around the other. Allows complex images.
Use of a certain degree of deadpan stillness, dialogue that is very funny, a little silly but pretty much never over the top. The music is perhaps a bit of an intrusion.
This is a well shot, very amusing film, a fine script. It would be stretching it to say it had anything too deep to say, though its qualities mean it is extremely successful at conveying a certain limited frame of mind. Very good.
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