Laura Directed by Otto Preminger
LAURA (Preminger, 1944)
TIME
The narrative action in the film Laura occurs over a period of three days. It begins on a Sunday morning, two days after the murder takes place in Laura’s apartment. The narrative begins on this day because this is when Detective Mark McPherson begins his investigation of the case. Being the protagonist of the film, we follow him in his quest to solve the case and his pursuit of Laura. It is on Tuesday night that he succeeds in what he set out to do and therefore, the narrative ends here. Throughout these three days, the way in which the passage of time is communicated is sometimes unclear. Only twice do we hear through dialogue the time and the day. This occurs in the beginning when Waldo tells us it is Sunday. It also happens when Laura returns home from the country and McPherson states that it is Monday night. Although we can see whether it is night or day, without these pieces of information it sees as though the film is taking place over one long, continuous day.
Though the story occurs over the course of three days, the plot begins on the Friday of the murder. It is because of this incident the story even takes place. During the film, the viewer is given insight to information that happened many years ago. While Waldo and McPherson are out having a drink, Waldo begins to talk about Laura. At this moment a series of flashbacks are shown starting five years ago when Waldo and Laura first met. We then see how Laura’s career progresses with the help of Waldo. We also see how Laura first met Shelby and how their relationship began. Waldo reveals how Shelby betrayed Laura by dining with her aunt and having relations with Diane. These events all lead up to the day of Laura’s alleged murder. It is during this series of flashbacks that Waldo paints a vivid picture of Laura, a character we have not met before this time. He also establishes the relationships for us she has with each character. Here, we are also able to find motives each
TIME
The narrative action in the film Laura occurs over a period of three days. It begins on a Sunday morning, two days after the murder takes place in Laura’s apartment. The narrative begins on this day because this is when Detective Mark McPherson begins his investigation of the case. Being the protagonist of the film, we follow him in his quest to solve the case and his pursuit of Laura. It is on Tuesday night that he succeeds in what he set out to do and therefore, the narrative ends here. Throughout these three days, the way in which the passage of time is communicated is sometimes unclear. Only twice do we hear through dialogue the time and the day. This occurs in the beginning when Waldo tells us it is Sunday. It also happens when Laura returns home from the country and McPherson states that it is Monday night. Although we can see whether it is night or day, without these pieces of information it sees as though the film is taking place over one long, continuous day.
Though the story occurs over the course of three days, the plot begins on the Friday of the murder. It is because of this incident the story even takes place. During the film, the viewer is given insight to information that happened many years ago. While Waldo and McPherson are out having a drink, Waldo begins to talk about Laura. At this moment a series of flashbacks are shown starting five years ago when Waldo and Laura first met. We then see how Laura’s career progresses with the help of Waldo. We also see how Laura first met Shelby and how their relationship began. Waldo reveals how Shelby betrayed Laura by dining with her aunt and having relations with Diane. These events all lead up to the day of Laura’s alleged murder. It is during this series of flashbacks that Waldo paints a vivid picture of Laura, a character we have not met before this time. He also establishes the relationships for us she has with each character. Here, we are also able to find motives each