Picture Perfect: Some of The Best Shots in Film

Film is a visual medium in which every shot should be just right. Sometimes, a film will have a shot that is so well-made that makes the viewer want to stop and stare. Whether aesthetically pleasing or especially powerful, there is just something special about it. Below is a very brief list of a few shots that capture this quality.

“Big Fish” (2003)

Dir. Tim Burton

Albert Finney as Edward Bloom in Tim Burton's "Big Fish." By Courtesy Columbia Pictures

Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) has lived a fantastical life, much of which seems too absurd to be true. In “Big Fish,” we follow Edward’s younger self (Ewan McGregor) through the unbelievable story of his life. At one point, in a grand romantic gesture to Sandra (Alison Lohman), a girl he has fallen in love with, Edward plants a field of flowers outside her window. In this shot, we see Edward in the field from Sandra’s perspective. The high camera angle makes us feel like we are in Sandra’s shoes, the smallness of Edward amongst the flowers emphasizes the grandiosity of the gesture, and the image as a whole is sure to melt the viewer’s heart. When it comes to cinematic romantic gestures, this shot ensures that Edward’s flower field will be remembered amongst them.

“Fight Club” (1999)

Dir. David Fincher

Edward Norton and Helena Botham Carter's characters in the final scene of David Fincher's "Fight Club" By Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

The unnamed protagonist (Edward Norton) of “Fight Club” has developed insomnia, is having trouble at work, and seems generally detached from life. In his slump, he befriends Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), with whom he creates an underground fighting ring. Over time, the men in the fight club move from fighting one another to fighting against the evils of capitalism. Eventually completely radicalized, the men end up planting explosives in skyscrapers around the city. In the final scene, the narrator and his love interest Marla (Helena Bonham Carter) watch as the explosives detonate and the skyscrapers fall. Amidst the chaos, they hold hands.

Backlit by explosions, they are silhouetted in a way that is somehow romantic compared to their surroundings. The blocking of the scene has the pair centered and standing upright, contributing to a sense of strength despite everything crumbling around them. With their backs to us, it feels like we are watching what they are watching, experiencing what they are experiencing. The resulting image is striking, and heartfelt, and makes us imagine who we would want to be standing next to if the world was falling down around us.

“All Quiet on the Western Front” (2022)

Dir. Edward Berger

Felix Krammer as Paul Bäumer in Edward Berger's "All Quiet on the Western Front." By Courtesy of Netflix

When it comes to depicting the horrors of war, “All Quiet on the Western Front” leaves nothing to be imagined. The film follows a young German soldier named Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) as he experiences life in battle during World War I. Paul starts the film as a bright-eyed young man enthusiastic about serving his country. By the end of the film, the psychological and physical effects of war are evident on his face. For the sake of avoiding spoilers, the circumstances of this shot will be excluded. However, its effect is powerful even without context. In one of the final shots of the film, we see Paul’s face, covered in dried mud, as he exits a dark cavern in the trenches. With the light directly illuminating him, we see how sunken his face looks. With the caked mud on his face and clothes and in his hair, he looks almost like a ghost. In a film which so emphasizes the horrors of war, this shot is undeniably its defining image.

“Dead Poets Society” (1989)

Dir. Peter Weir

Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles, Matt Carey, James J. Christy, Dylan Kussman, Allelon Ruggiero, Keith Snyder, Sam Stegeman, Richard Stites, and James Waterston in "Dead Poets Society" By Courtesy Touchstone Pictures

In a strict all-boys boarding school in New England, the arrival of Mr. Keating (Robin Williams), the school’s new English teacher, sparks joy and life into a group of seven of the school’s students. He teaches the boys to pursue what they are passionate about, value the arts, and never be afraid to go against the grain. In one of his classes, he instructs the boys to take turns standing on his desks as a means of reminding them to always try to see things from a different perspective. At the end of the film, the boys pay homage to Mr. Keating by spontaneously getting up and standing on their desks. Again, for purposes of avoiding spoilers, details of why they do so will be omitted. However, the gesture is what matters. The camera is positioned from Mr. Keating’s perspective, and situated so that we can see all of the boys who have stood up. Combining perspective with a depiction of the grandiosity of the moment, this shot is both emotional and powerful. It is amongst the most well-known shots in film history, and it’s not hard to understand why.

So let this be a warning. When watching any of these films, make sure to set aside 10 extra minutes in viewing time in order to pause and stare for a while to soak in each of these shots.

– Staff Writer Nell G. Cunningham can be reached at nell.cunningham@thecrimson.com.