Roger Deakinsis one of the most critically acclaimed cinematographers of our time. The Academy has nominated him for 15 Oscars, andhe has won two, breaking hislong losing streakby wining a rare Best Cinematography Oscar for a science-fiction film withBlade Runner 2049.His understanding of lighting and dramatic silhouettes always work to set the tone, even before anything is revealed about the plot. Anyone who wants to study cinematography should become familiar with Deakins and his practices.
However, cinematography is more than just making a pretty picture. It is about framing the characters and matching the tone of the film. Roger Deakins has proven his versatility by bringing to life everything from mundane every-day existence inFargoto the other worldly experience inHow to Train your Dragon(showing that he’s even brilliant as a visual consultant in animation). Here are some films that not only showcase Deakins' talent, but are also just downright entertaining to watch.
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9A Beautiful Mind
Ron Howard’sfilm may take some historical liberties, butA Beautiful Mindeffectively raises awareness about mental health. Roger Deakins attempts to take us into the mind of a brilliant mathematician who struggles withsevere mental health problems. Deakins uses technically complicated shots like reflected glass and different lighting to even make the mathematics in this film look beautiful. The arc shots and change of focus disorient the viewer and help them to truly feel as if they’re inside of a beautiful mind.
8True Grit
It can be a difficult task to make the barren desert look beautiful. Deakins captures the beauty of open landscapes, muted colors, and campfires inTrue Grit, and actually makes it look better than the original John Wayne classic. His cinematography captures the dusty and grimy lifestyle of the old west, while still showing romantic sunsets and brings to life every boy’s dream of being a cowboy. Just as important as what Deakins shows, however, is what he doesn’t show. In this way, his cinematography not only brings beauty, but also creates suspense.
7The Shawshank Redemption
Every movie fan can recognize Deakins’ iconic shot of Tim Robbins' arms outstretched in the rain. Deakins highlights all the emotion themes of the film in just one shot, though he brings intimacy and beauty throughout the whole film, which is incredible considering it takes place in a prison. While one of Deakins’ first films, it is still widely praised, almost 30 years later.Shawshank Redemptionis full of symbolism and unforgettable images.
6O Brother, Where art Thou
O Brother, Where Art Thoubroke new ground as far as cinematography and color correction are concerned, being one of the first films to ever use modern color correction tools. The new process gave the film a unique sepia tone to mimic the dusty setting and old time period. Advancements aside, this new take on the ancient story ofThe Odysseyeducates about classic literature in a highly entertaining way, and theCoen Brothersuse Deakins' shots to create a beautiful American portrait.
5Prisoners
In this psychological thriller, Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal team up to find a missing girl. Deakins wonderfully switches back and forth between warm tones (in the house, with the happy family) and cool tones (outside, after the daughter goes missing) to signify the emotions of the characters. At the climax ofPrisoners,Deakins emulates the difficulty of driving in the rain with a head injury, using focus and movement perfectly. This shot is not only beautiful to watch, but it also adds suspense to the final scene in Deakins' first collaboration withDennis Villeneuve.
Who doesn’t enjoya good James Bond film? The sophisticated spy has been rebooted over the years for good reason, and inSkyfall,Deakins highlights both exotic locations and intimate emotions to make one of the best Bond iterations. He fills the wide frame with explosions, bright colors and cutthroat action sequences. Old elevator shafts, computer screens, trains and helicopters have never looked quite so cool. Deakins brings Bond’s suave confidence right into the visuals of this film.
3The Assassination of Jessie James
Almost every aspect of Deakins’ brilliance is displayed inThe Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford.He adds texture (train steam, wheat grains, cigar smoke) and dimension to the otherwise flat dessert. Deakins often uses dramatic silhouettes to add mystery and romance to each of the characters, not to mention the chiaroscuro lighting, which is mainly dark and foreboding. Whether you love westerns or not, the stunning cinematography in this movie is worth the watch.
Roger Deakins once again shows off his cinematographic excellence in1917.He plays with lighting that sets the stage for the weighty plot of the film. The wide and tracking shots show the enormity of trenches, garrisons of soldiers and all out war. Viewers get to experience a small part of the weariness of a soldier, as the camera shakily follows them across tracking shots and long scenes which are pieced together to create the illusion that the film is told in two long,real-time takes. The film showcases the tragedy of war, made even more meaningful by the intimate cinematography, epic soundtrack and skillful acting. This is a journey into the trenches of WWI like few other films have achieved.
Related:1917 Trailer #2 Stunningly Brings World War I to Life in One Continuous Shot
1Blade Runner 2049
It’s no wonder this film tops lists and finally won Deakins his first Oscar. It has a rich backstory and interesting setting, which were established by the originalBlade Runner, butBlade Runner 2049continues to add to the franchise with new characters, new challenges and new places. Deakins' cinematography brings to life the massive scale and incredibly technologically advanced world ofBlade Runner. In particular, he pulls off technically difficult shots of reflections in mirrors, water and eyes, and integrates CGI into his incredible visual world-building. The captivating images paired with this new take on an old sci-fi classic make this movie a mesmerizing must-watch.
