Importance of film opening: A minute to win it.

With our generation’s attention span decreasing by the minute, literally and figuratively, it is pertinent for a film to grab the viewer's attention at warp speed. Many directors over the years have been able to do this successfully, such as Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig, and Bong Joon-ho; not only did they create exceptional movies, but their movie openings also led them to Oscar nominations.

What makes a movie interesting is its ability to emotionally draw in the viewer in a short amount of time. In order to make a successful movie, the selection of characters and their personalities must align with the genre to create a captivating experience. An example of this is the beloved comedic character Tony Stark in Iron Man (2008), directed by Jon Favreau.

Moreover, most film openings have these characteristics in their movies: setting the scene, foreshadowing, introducing characters, and introducing the tone of the movie. Numerous movies that are widely considered extraordinary oftentimes leave the viewer wondering what will happen next. Good movies create a sense of longing to watch more: a noteworthy example of this is the horror movie Dabbe 6 (2015) by Hasan Karacadağ. Although it is a horror movie but it is popularly watched by everyone due to its aspect of keeping the viewers on their toes. 

A personal favorite movie that perfectly executes these features is Marriage Story (2019) by Noah Baumbach. 

The movie is not only directed but also written by Noah Baumbach. The film opens with a black screen displaying its title, immediately setting the stage for the story to unfold. His films embrace their reality and it often feels like you're watching real families and people out in the world. In an interview, Noah Baumbach explained that his primary goal for the opening of Marriage Story was to engage the audience with the relationship between Charlie and Nicole. He used voice-over narration to establish the film’s tone and provide insight into the main characters, allowing viewers to connect with their marriage from the outset.

The movie opens with Nicole’s daily life as a mother, highlighting her selflessness as she engages in meaningful conversations with other people. This makes her a likable character. We see her actively involved in her son Henry’s life, working tirelessly to the point of exhaustion, while Charlie’s absence is noticeable. 

Charlie getting hit on the head is sudden and shocking, as the scene changes it pulls us into the moment since injuries happen quickly. He also says that Nicole gave up her life in L.A. to move to New York and pursue theater with him, emphasizing a significant sacrifice in their relationship that the audience can relate to.

Furthermore, there is foreshadowing at the start of the movie when the two characters read from a list they made for each other as an exercise suggested by the mediator. The list hints at the couple's differences. Later in the film, when Nicole writes that Charlie is competitive, we see Charlie visibly upset about losing to his son. This gives the audience insight into Charlie's personality and his temper issues. 

The choreographer of the movie, Robbie Ryan, noted that he used natural lighting to create a raw, documentary-like feel. The film features dolly and handheld shots, which help the audience feel more immersed in the story. 

Ultimately, the opening sequence captivates viewers and immerses them in the complexities of the central marriage. The exchanges between characters create a lasting impression that not everything is as it seems, allowing the audience to connect deeply with them. Just as viewers fall in love with the characters, director Noah effectively “pulls the rug out from under” them, revealing the harsh realities of divorce. This raises important questions about who is right or wrong, the future of their child, and how their lives will be forever changed.