For today’s Big Screen Video Inspiration, we focused on how plot points can drive home larger thematic elements in storytelling. Combined with the power of symbolism, a simple scene can open up entirely new narrative directions. Such is the case in our example from the 2001 film, A. I. Artificial Intelligence (2001 – Directed by Stephen Spielberg / Cinematography by Janusz Kamiński), based on a concept originally designed by the late Stanley Kubrick .
Our class focussed on one scene from early in the film, where Monica (Frances O’Connor), triggers the imprinting protocol on David —an uncomfortably realistic mecha child—thus committing the robotic boy to an existence centered around unconditional love for Monica as his “Mommy.” Despite her initial discomfort around David, Monica began treating him as her son. Despite being told that the process is irreversible, Monica presses ahead.
The resulting scene is beautifully performed and eerily crafted with distinctive cinematography that leverages soft, ethereal light, backed by a stark sound design that places us softly in the moment.