Full Answer Section

• Use of Deception and Illusion: Deception is a central element in both narratives. Ron and Flip’s infiltration of the KKK relies entirely on deception. Vertigo hinges on the elaborate deception orchestrated by Gavin Elster involving Madeleine and Judy.
• Critique of Power Structures: BlackKklansman directly critiques white supremacist power structures and the institutions that can enable them. Vertigo, in a more subtle way, critiques the power men exert over women, shaping their identities and controlling their destinies.

However, there are significant differences:

• Directness of Social Commentary: BlackKklansman is a very direct and explicit commentary on racism, drawing clear parallels between the past and the present. Vertigo‘s social commentary is more implicit, focusing on individual psychology and interpersonal power dynamics, though these can be interpreted through a societal lens.
• Genre and Tone: BlackKklansman blends elements of crime thriller, comedy (satire), and historical drama to deliver its message. Vertigo is primarily a psychological thriller with a pervasive sense of unease, mystery, and ultimately, tragedy.
• Resolution: BlackKklansman ends with a stark and unsettling reminder of ongoing racial injustice through real-life footage. Vertigo concludes with a tragic and somewhat ambiguous resolution centered on Scottie’s psychological breakdown.

Genres:

• BlackKklansman: Crime Thriller, Historical Drama, Satire. It adheres to some crime thriller conventions (undercover operation, suspense) but subverts them with comedic elements and a strong historical and social message. The satirical tone is crucial in highlighting the absurdity and danger of racism. This affects the viewer’s expectations by making them laugh and feel tense simultaneously, ultimately landing a powerful emotional punch.
• Vertigo: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Romance (with a dark twist). It largely adheres to the conventions of a Hitchcockian thriller, building suspense through mystery, unreliable narration, and visual storytelling. However, it subverts the typical romantic elements by revealing a manipulative and ultimately tragic relationship. This can leave the viewer feeling deeply unsettled and questioning the nature of reality and desire.

Tone:

• BlackKklansman:
  • Emotional Quality: Anger, frustration, outrage, but also moments of camaraderie, humor, and hope in the face of adversity. The ending evokes a strong sense of unease and a call to action.
  • Atmosphere: Often tense and suspenseful, particularly during the undercover operations. However, it is also punctuated by moments of sharp satire and dark humor, creating a complex and engaging atmosphere. The ending shifts to a stark and somber mood.
  • Visual Style: Visually bright and often employing dynamic camerawork. While grounded in a realistic setting, there are moments of stylized presentation to emphasize certain points.
  • Dialogue: Witty, often confrontational, and infused with both humor and biting social commentary. The dialogue between Ron and the KKK members is often darkly comedic in its absurdity.
  • Soundtrack: Features a blend of funk, soul, and contemporary music that underscores the energy and the historical period. The score also becomes more tense and dramatic during suspenseful moments.
  • Narrative Style: Primarily linear but incorporates real historical footage at the end, directly impacting the tone by grounding the fictional narrative in a stark reality.
  • Themes: Racism, identity, power, justice, and the cyclical nature of history contribute to a tone that is both engaging and deeply serious.
• Vertigo:
  • Emotional Quality: Obsession, longing, unease, mystery, and ultimately, tragedy and despair.
  • Atmosphere: Pervasively tense, dreamlike, and unsettling. There’s a constant feeling of something being amiss, and the atmosphere becomes increasingly claustrophobic and psychologically charged as Scottie’s obsession intensifies.
  • Visual Style: More muted and subdued, with a stylized and often disorienting visual language (e.g., the famous “Vertigo effect”). The use of color and shadow contributes significantly to the film’s mood.
  • Dialogue: Often serious and filled with a sense of underlying tension and unspoken desires. The dialogue between Scottie and Madeleine/Judy is often melancholic and probing.
  • Soundtrack: Features a haunting and suspenseful score by Bernard Herrmann that is integral to creating the film’s atmosphere of unease and obsession. The music often foreshadows dramatic events and amplifies the emotional intensity.
  • Narrative Style: Primarily linear but employs elements of mystery and unreliable narration, which contribute to the feeling of disorientation and the film’s overall tone.
  • Themes: Obsession, identity, memory, the past, and the manipulation of reality create a tone that is deeply psychological and ultimately tragic.

Relevance to Modern Views:

• BlackKklansman: Absolutely relevant to modern views. The film’s explicit exploration of racism and its parallels to contemporary white supremacist movements, police brutality, and political rhetoric make it a powerful and timely commentary on ongoing societal issues in the United States and globally. The film’s ending, with the Charlottesville footage, serves as a stark reminder that the issues it addresses are far from being resolved.
• Vertigo: While not directly addressing contemporary social issues in the same way as BlackKklansman, Vertigo remains relevant to modern viewers through its exploration of psychological themes that persist today. Issues of obsession, the construction of identity (especially in the age of social media), the power dynamics in relationships, and the potential for manipulation are all themes that resonate with contemporary audiences. The film’s exploration of how we idealize and try to recreate the past also has modern relevance.

In conclusion, while BlackKklansman tackles a specific social issue with directness and contemporary resonance, Vertigo explores timeless psychological themes that continue to hold relevance for modern viewers, albeit in a more nuanced and metaphorical way. Both films, through their distinct genres, tones, and narrative styles, offer compelling reflections on aspects of human nature and societal structures.