Symmetrical Narrative

The film in many ways is split into two. The narrative of the film effectively starts again in Combo’s flat after Shaun makes a crucial decision in his life. Combo gives Shaun gives Shaun 2 choice where he draws a line on the floor almost indicating the middle of the film. This is the centre scene to the film. After this scene the narrative resets as a symmetrical story to what happened earlier. At the very start of the film Shaun is filmed alone, with no dialogue, bringing us closer to his character. This scene is 1 minutes and 20 seconds long.  This type of scene occurs happens at the very end and last for 2 minutes. Using the centre scene as a mirror the features of last scene is symmetrically reflected.

Some shots of the first half of the film are not identical but they reflect the same iconography of each other. These shots are evidence of the symmetrical narrative and are plentiful throughout the film. The most obvious shots are the shots that involve the first gang including Woody, and the second gang including Combo. The shots have the gangs in a line across the screen. Both with the same iconography however with different characters after Shaun make his decision to stay with Combo.

Another example of a scene, which is symmetrical to each other, is the football scenes. Each filmed at the same location but however both with different gangs. However the scene with woody’s gang is light hearted and includes the gang having fun. The scene with Combo is more serious and racist. This demonstrates the type of choice Shaun has made replacing a fun with a more menacing gang.

Here is another example of using the same location but the two scenes are from different halves of the film. The first one conveys an innocent shaun after being bullied at school taking time to play with a catapult and eat sweets. The second picture conveys him after a horrific incident where he was forced to see Milky get beaten up by Combo. He is almost letting go out the patriotic theory from Combo when he leaves his flag in the boat.














Another time where i believe the narrative are symmetrical is when Woody's gang go hunting, where they destroy unused houses for fun. This is activity harms no one and is fun for the lads. However after Shaun's decision to stay with combo, they find fun in robbing the corner shop causing menace to the shop owner.