Technique: Mis-en-scene/Symbolism

Mis-en-scene is used to show the characters emotions towards other people and things in the film, and more importantly, in the opening. The prop of a harmonica is used to show John's genuine love and excitement for music. As the harmonica is placed on the table before John we see the rush of happiness upon his face and this introduces us to the Lennon who is famous to viewers; The Lennon who is passionate about music. Also in the opening, we are shown an element of status through blocking. Near the end of the scene, in which John is in the principals office, the Principal is sitting down on his chair whilst John is standing. The shows an element of character as John believes he is 'above' him, that he is in control of the situation and this theory is followed by the dialogue of the scene.

 

John sees and holds the harmonica for the first time.

 

John stands whilst the principal is seated.

The harmonica introduces us to John's passion for music. As this is an autobiographical film of someone so widely famous, the director had to show us in some way how far along John was with his musical interest and the harmonica shows this. From the dialogue within the scene it seems that John has not ever owned a harmonica (let alone any other instrument) but regardless, he is still very passionate about music (Later on John gets an acoustic guitar, and this becomes his new focus. After that John gets an electric guitar. It seems that as his musical talent increases, so does the quality of the instruments he plays). His uncle tells him that John will have his "first lesson, front room, eight o'clock tonight". The scene of the lesson is the first scene after the opening, and also the scene in which Uncle George suffers a liver hemorrhage and dies. As a result the harmonica becomes more important to John, and a symbol of the only father figure John had in his life. The loss of George is difficult for John as his death seems to change everything; he is left to juggle his relationship with Aunt Mimi and his real mother(whom he had never met before the funeral), Julia. Blocking is used well to show the quietly arrogant attitude John has towards himself. John stands, upright and confident in front of the principals desk while the principal stays seated. This shows the status John believes exists between them, that regardless of titles, John is in control of the situation. This sets the viewer up well for the John portrayed in the film. Although John was in some cases seen as arrogant (ie  "Bigger then Jesus") the character in the film is younger, and therefore more fearless and up himself. Later in the film when John is introduced to Paul (Mccartney, who of course would later become a member of The Beatles) John blatantly believes he is better then him in every way. After Paul shows his obvious talent, John still tells him no to joining the band. This is a rather unsurprising act of pride, and John seems to later only invite him into the band after a friend tells him "I'd rather him in our band then anyone else's".

Nowhere Boy used Mis-en-scene similarly as traditional forms of drama did such as Melodrama and Comedia de'llarte, although Nowhere Boy used the same conventions in a much more subtle, less amusing way. In melodrama, status was often shown by Kings and other forms of hierarchy often walking in tip toes, or others simply bowing or sitting lower then them. This is much the same as this situation of the film, yet with a more unobvious meaning behind it. In Comedia de'llarte the character Pantalone carries around a bag of money which he is never caught without. It is a symbol of something important to him; and an important aspect of the character. The harmonica, for John symbolises much the same; it's important to him and shows an important aspect to his character. The director seems to have used very traditional forms of drama to get complex points across to viewers.