Jaws

Jaws

     We all know the story. The film that panicked a generation out of the water. I’m talking about Spielberg’s Jaws. Our story begins in the quaint, summer destination town of Amity. What seems like innocent drunken play then turns into a nightmare as the first victim goes missing. Brody, our protagonist and chief of police, feels that there is something more to the missing girl than just a boating accident. However, Brody’s efforts are eclipsed by the impending summer business expected in Amity. A little later though, there is no denying a shark as a little boy gets devoured in broad daylight, with the beaches packed full of tourists. This isn’t enough for the mayor to close the beaches and it takes the death of another man, to finally charter Quint to hunt down the beast. The plot turns as Brody(with a lifelong fear of water), Hooper, and Quint must place all their differences aside, and realize it will take a team to pilot the ship on their mission. For the rest of the film we aboard the “Orca”, vying for superiority and trading machismo stories, all in wait for their enemy to show itself. The shark begins a seemingly vengeful attack on the vessel and the crew is helpless to stop it. No matter how many methods they employ, the shark continues on its warpath. We lose Quint to his fabled nemesis and Hooper almost becomes food while attempting to sedate the giant fish. Brody is left alone on the sinking boat, with nothing but his own grit and invention to ensure his survival. He destroys the fish using compressed air and Hooper returns to the surface to witness the destruction. The men laugh and take a moment to revel as they begin to paddle home to share the news of their victory.  

     Considering the impact of Jaws on the landscape of cinema today, one can examine this film and detect reasons why it brought such success to Spielberg and the studio. For one, the direction of the film was spot on for such an up and comer. His choice to play the narrative out as two stories within a whole creates drama and fear while also building friendship and camaraderie with the characters on the screen. In the beginning we are set in a man versus nature situation, however, it is also man versus society as there are only three on the island that know of this fish’s power. The mood in the town is that of a ‘Pleasantville’, a place where trouble doesn’t exist and everyone is just perfect. However, the camera work and editing combine to place Brody in an isolated sense. Whenever he is in the town among the people, he is shown in a state of confusion in reference to the others around. He always seems to have something on his mind like when he’s at the beach and being spoken to, he is shown peering over the speaker’s shoulder and looking at the water with no interest on what the man is saying. Our director’s gaze at that point builds tension as we await the fate of the people in the water. The score is also something not to be overlooked. John Williams tells a story through his crescendos and the infamous Jaws “duuun dun” that makes one cringe with anxiety.

     Looking at the second half of the film, one can observe that the mood has changed, as the story becomes one of personalities at odds with one another. The city boy, sailor, and cop all need to trust each other to win this battle. The scene in which they are all in the boat’s cabin at night gives the audience a little bliss before the hell that is about to break loose. The men chat as the soundscape places a peaceful tone over the scene. This scene, complete with Quint’s intense monologue and scar trading stories, puts that peace on edge as we know this wont last. As the final attack begins and the men are running out of options, suspense is the name of the game. On the deck the next morning, the editing becomes much more dramatic and the tension begins to peak. Loud score and quick cuts combined with the special effects of the attack itself make for a message that still rings true so many years later. This panic, isolation, and hopelessness presents it self elementally throughout the final minutes of the film. Spielberg and his crew hit a homerun with this would-be flop. The brilliant use and mastery of basic film elements are alive in Jaws, giving credit to a young man who would one day become America’s most beloved director.