Raising Arizona
1987movie
raising-arizona-2 The larger thematic circularity in Raising Arizona is evident in the way Hi lives in a perpetual revolution, rotating between prison and freedom. In the nearly 10-minute prologue before the title appears onscreen, Hi goes in and out of prison several times. Each time, he sees Ed and flirts, making his intentions known.Watching Raising Arizona, it’s easy to overlook the intricacy of the characters and themes because the Coens and cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld construct such a wild, exciting, and incredibly dynamic formal presentation.
The Coens re-team with Barry Sonnenfeld to create a distinctly different look for RAISING ARIZONA, which speaks to their ability to handle diverse visual styles and camerawork. Whereas BLOOD SIMPLE. was all pervading darkness and wells of concentrated light, RAISING ARIZONA’s 1.85:1 35mm film image is brightly lit and obscenely saturated with color like a Tex Avery cartoon. The brothers frame the action much wider this time around, with a deep focus that highlights an exaggerated theatricality to returning production designer Jane Mursky’s sets.
