Analysis of Sliding Doors

Sliding doors is a 1998 film of a drama and romantic comedy genre. The film revolves around the main character Helen, played by Gwyneth Paltrow and the plot splits into two parallel universes, based on the two paths Helen’s life could take depending on whether she catches a London Underground train or not.

Although the storyline of Sliding Doors does sound very similar to our plot line for our short film, they both include a train and two different lives that our main character could live. However, none of the members of our group have actually seen the film sliding doors, so this is something we are looking into for inspiration on how to make our short film a success.

In the above clip, we see the main character Helen, dashing to catch her train on time, where two possible outcomes are portrayed – the first where she misses the train, and the second where she catches it. These storylines are both running parallel at the same time as we see the train leaving with her in it, connoting how she caught the train; however we also see her standing on the platform, implying how she missed the train. So now she goes on to live two separate lives following the events which occurred at the train station with her missing and catching the train.

At 0:50 we see time rewind as she is seen walking backwards away from the train and back up the stairs and the other people on the platform are also seen going back in time. Then at 0:57, time restarts again correctly and she is seen making her way down the stairs towards the train. Near the end of our short film, we want to include something similar to this whereby, everything that our main character has experienced during his flash forwards of the two lives he could lead, rewind back quickly to present day to show him stood on the train platform, conveying how it has just all rushed through his head.

The non-diegetic music during this scene helps to convey mystery and fantasy, especially when time is rewinding, as obviously this is something which cannot be done. At the start of the time rewinding, a chime sound can be heard which is then repeated again when the time restarts correctly, thus signifying how time change has happened and how a different outcome will now arise, so help keeps the audience interested and aware of what is happening. At the beginning of this clip, the non-diegetic music accompanying the video footage is quite peaceful, however at 0:18, as we see the train approaching and it cuts back to show Helen moving through people on the escalator in quite a rush, the tone of the music changes to replicate quickness and a sense of mystery, keeping the audience engaged to see what will occur. The sound of the chime is also used at 0:38 and a 1:08 when the little girl is playing with her doll as she walks up the stairs. In my opinion, the use of the same particular sound in both accounts reflects how the action occurring on screen at that time is very important. This is because, it is the actions of the little girl which makes Helen miss her train, as the first time the little girl delays her by being in the way, yet the second time her dad moves her out of the way and Helen is able to catch her train.

The non-diegetic music also has a momentum to it, which links in with her being in a rush to catch the train on time. In our film, we are planning to not include dialogue, as we think it will not be relevant and will be more appealing for our demograph if we just have our footage with appropriate non-diegetic music. Therefore, the type of music we choose needs to be important, as in this clip from Sliding Doors the non-diegetic music conveys fantasy, so reflects the genre of this film. It also creates suspense, hence keeping the audience interested and can reflect the mood of the characters due to the actions which are happening on screen. Diegetic music is also incorporated, for example the sound of the train and footsteps, all helping to create verisimilitude.

At 1:12 the pace of the edit changes into slow motion, as she just manages to stop the train doors from closing whilst she gets on the train, before returning to normal pace again at 1:17. During the slow motion the non-diegetic music decreases in volume and when it returns to normal pace it has a slightly happier feel to it, connoting how she caught the train on time and is pleased about that. Then, when the camera pans to show her outside the train, the music changes to imply a sadder tone, reflecting how she missed the train. In our film, when our main character sees a women fall over on the train platform, we would like to have that shown in slow motion, as we feel it is a very significant part of the film, as it portrays how he has a decision to make regarding the women; whether he helps her or ignores her to catch his train, determines the life which he will lead. Additionally, we shall have to choose a very distinctive sound when she falls over, also connoting how this is an important part to our film. Therefore, the use of slow motion and the non-diegetic music helps to convey important aspects of the film to the audience.

Also, I think the shot at 0:22 is an interesting shot and different from the others of Helen being in a rush. The footage has been edited to switch between the train approaching and Helen in a rush to catch her train on time. At 0:28 the pace of the editing speeds up, as it switches much quickly between the train and Helen, indicating how something is going to happen soon and that the train and Helen will finally meet.

Regarding mise-en-scene, this is accurate as the setting creates verisimilitude and the use of extras at the train station and those departing the train also help to make things believable for the audience.

Therefore, there are many features that are employed within this short clip from Sliding Doors which we are hoping to include in our short film, for example: slow motion and time rewinding.

Another feature we must consider is the poster of “Sliding doors”, as creating a poster is one of our ancillary tasks. The poster of “Sliding doors” is quite effective, as it shows the 2 different paths of life that the main character “Helen” could lead, one at the top of the poster, and the other upside down at the bottom of the poster, like a mirror image reflecting how in the film the two lives are running simultaneously, yet involve leading her in completely different directions within life. Therefore, this is something that we can use as inspiration when we come to construct our poster, as our short film comprises of two different lives also.