Film directors have created some of the most iconic scenes from unexpected elements. Window washing has quickly become one of these elements. Sometimes the presence of the washer seems out of place, while other times, it is imperative for the progression of the story.
Nothing in a movie is unplanned. Well, almost nothing. There are those moments that are pure improv, but make the movie so much better when they are left in, like in JFK. During the closing summation as Jim Garrison, Kevin Costner begins to tear up, feeling the weight of the words he was saying. Even though the tears weren’t part of the script, they stayed in the film because of the power they held.
Some window washing scenes hold more power in movies than others. Whether they are intended or not, the view would have a hard time not noticing them in the movie.
The Matrix
The Matrix is one of those classic shows that cause us to question reality and the way we perceive it. In this dystopia, machines are deceiving people. Everybody is part of a simulated reality instead of actually living.
One of the main characters in the movie, Neo, begins to figure out clues behind the matrix symbol that appears on his computer screen. While he is still in the process of figuring things out, there is a moment in the movie where he is in his supervisor’s office. He notices a window washer on the side of the building. The soap on the window takes the same shape as the matrix on the computer.
In this situation, the window washing is key in the plot. It gives Neo another chance to view the symbol that has stumped him. It also gives the viewer another look at the symbol, as they begin to go through the same process as the characters.
Wallace and Gromit
Wallace & Gromit is one of those classic cartoons filled with ridiculous situations and comical endings. In one of their short films, Wallace and Gromit decide to open up a window cleaning business. As usual, things don’t go exactly as they planned.
Even though the window cleaning isn’t such a valuable plot point, it opens the stage for the story to take place. It adds to the comedy of the story, even if it lasts for a short time. Out of all the scenes, this becomes one of the most memorable in any of the Wallace & Gromit films.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Although it isn’t directly cleaning a window, My Big Fat Greek Wedding has reference to window cleaner, which makes it almost just as good. All throughout the movie, Toula’s father Gus is using Windex for everything. The use of Windex is exaggerated, like other points in the film, bringing the attention to the window cleaner. This movie made itself into a parody of an assortment of different movies, as well as products.
Throughout movie history, window-cleaning scenes have been important. Whether they are integral to the plot, or just there to add some laughs, these moments make a lasting impression on the viewer almost every time.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]By +Cassie Costner Cassie is a movie fanatic who loves finding iconic moments in all genres of film. She is also interested in the way the companies specializing in windows Utah has contribute to ideas film directors have for window-cleaning scenes in movies.[/author_info] [/author]
