Tom and Colin: Enemies by nature. Friends by association.

 This is a report of a single frame from the movie Minority Report: a film by Steven Spielburg. 

My claim, to state it clearly, is that this composition isolates and contrasts Colin and Tom while simultaneously comparing them. Here is my interpretation on why Steve would want to shoot these characters in the way that he did. First of all, if you squint, you can't tell these characters apart. They look exactly the same really, except for Tom's plain Steve Jobs look and Colin's professional look. Colin is clearly the more stylish man, while Tom is also handsome but very function over form. His haircut is not at all stylish because he doesn't care about the way he looks. Colin probably uses a pomade. He looks very nice. One could argue that both are professional in different ways. Which transitions beautifully into my next observation. They are similar, yet different. From the start when these two people meet, there is a rift. Tom won't shake is hand and calls him a slur for a gay man (come on Steve was this really necessary), but Colin keeps up and throws it right back at him, showing his quick skill and intellect. Tom may seem to not care about Colin by not giving him the time of day, but secretly, Tom is nervous that Colin will replace him. He wears a fashionable tie and his appearance is much tidier and better looking. Tom has a superiority complex, and he feels his reputation and position justifies a use of a slur. In this shot, Tom and Colin gaze into each other, sizing the other up. They may be enemies, but share many things, one of them being their commitment to the precogs and to the company. They are hard workers and will do anything to protect the company. But why say something so rude??? Maybe he just said it because he's a rude man. Maybe he uses a slur to put Colin down to hide his own insecurities about barebones style, dismissing his styled hair and pressed suit as feminine, or "gay" (There is nothing wrong with that. Colin clearly looks better). Interesting... Anyway in the shot, not only are they an even match, but are very similar. The man in the center cuts their eyeline in half, causing a seperation and giving them distance. Also the rule of thirds is used in this shot. Colin and Tom are on opposite lines, their heads at each intersection. Their eyeline which passes through the man in the center is the top horizontal line. This does not mean anything. This is just simple shot composition to help the viewer know what to look at, and that is these young men. Also, these men are lit from multiple angles but the key light is an overhead. This is to give a funky look to their faces, as you can see how the shadows are casted over their eyes. The light is filled (of course) but it does make you feel weird because why can't you see their eyes? I think it is either to add a creepy vibe or maybe it is because these characters are seeing "eye-to-eye". Interesting... I can tell Steven put a lot of thoughts into this singular shot, and I'm sure I didn't catch everything. But I hope I broke ground and uncovered some new ways to look at a shot like this. Mr. Spielburg keep up the good work :)