The Fly

Narrative

The fly is the villain in this film from the driver’s point of view. According to Propp’s theory, the villain is usually the one who causes the disruption. However, from an audience’s point of view, the fly could be seen as the hero because it stops the criminals from getting away. 

Equilibrium – The driver is waiting for the criminals to return from the bank so they can make a quick getaway.

Disruption – The fly appears on his windshield.

Recognition – He realises the fly is not gone and he wants to get rid of it.

Attempts to Repair – He tries to squash it and catch it in a cup. He shoots at it which results in him destroying the car.

New Equilibrium – The car is ruined and the police are coming. The fly is still alive. 

Lighting

The film uses natural lighting as it is set outside and is set in the day time. The lighting is dull because it is a cloudy day.

Character Expression

The way the driver holds himself is stereotypical of a thuggish character. At the beginning his is tapping the steering wheel, showing that he is impatient or anxious.

Through his facial expressions and erratic movements, it is evident that he is furious and desperate to kill this fly. 

Costume, Hair and Makeup

The driver is wearing a leather jacket as it is stereotypical of his type character. He is wearing a gold watch which might suggest his wealth through other robberies.

Fake blood is used when he hurts his lip to look like he has a cut. It also makes his final look more distraught and messy. It is also used on the criminals when they come out, showing that one has been shot.

Setting

The film is set outside a bank in daytime. Most of the action takes place inside the car and we never see inside the bank itself.  The car is a on a deserted street. It is a grey and dreary day, probably in England.  

Props

The car key has a rabbits foot attached, showing that he may be superstitious.

He has a toothpick in his mouth, another stereotypical thing for his character type. The way he moves it in his mouth is foreshadowing what is going to happen with it.

He tries to use a mask to squash the fly, showing that he is prepared if they are seen by police. This suggests that they are either experienced or have thought of every detail meticulously.

He uses a gun to destroy the car when he reaches a breaking point.  

Sound

All of the sound in the film is diegetic and can be heard by the characters. At the start there is a black screen and we hear dialogue between the driver and the criminals, establishing the scenario.

The most prominent sound is the buzzing of the fly, seemingly everywhere and haunting the driver.

At the end, the sound of sirens are heard, meaning that the police are on their way, suggesting that either someone in the bank called them or someone overheard the gunshots that the driver fired.

Throughout the film, the camera cuts to the bank door and we here the kerfuffle of the bank robbery with screams and gunfire.   

Editing

The film uses match on action and lots of quick cross cuts, showing the driver and then what he is looking at. 

Cinematography

The first person we see is the driver with a close up of him tapping the steering wheel impatiently. This shows that he is the main focus of this film and that his role is to stay behind and drive when the others come out.

There is a wide shot, showing the empty street that the car is on and the sign saying bank so the setting is confirmed.

The camera cuts away to the sky and we hear him scream.