Analysis of the First Five Minutes of Of Mice and Men by Gary Sinise

Analysis of the First Five Minutes of Of Mice and Men by Gary Sinise

Analyse and comment on the first 5 minutes of Gary Sinise’s film of

“Of Mice and Men”. How effective is it and do you find the film in

keeping with the spirit of the novel?

John Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men” is based on the harsh reality

of the American Dream. It is set during the depression that followed

by the Wall Street Crash and the draught in California. The novel

portrays the lives of itinerant workers who travelled from ranch to

ranch through loneliness and hardships. Steinbeck experienced this

kind of life himself when he was young. The spirit of this novel is

focused on the tenderness of George and Lennie’s unusual relationship.

They travel together in search for work and have each other’s

companionship which contrasts with the loneliness that surrounds them.

But like any other Americans, they had many hopes and dreams which

never came true. Gary Sinise is the producer, director and actor as

George in this film. He understood and loved this book so well, that

he put a great deal of money and effort into this film.

“Of Mice and Men” begins with the credits in black and white which

perhaps indicates that the film is set in the past. The background

music starts off in a minor key and in a slow but simple rhythm. This

expresses the sombre and reflective mood of the film and prepares us

for the atmosphere. It is played by string instruments and piano. The

base is played by the strings and the melody is played by the piano

crisply on top which sounds melancholy and plaintive. The music builds

up and gradually gets louder. The light also echoes like the music, as

it follows the trail of the music, filters in through the wooden slats

on the train and disappears. And with the glimpses of the light the

credit come through. There the screen fades to black and a sound

bridge leads us to the train.