After repeated viewing, I noticed something else particularly interesting about the way each Shane and Oliver's sides to reaching this inevitable climax in A Hope & A Future were composed and executed.
What if I told you that both the hospital lobby scene and that moment in the rain were actually the same scene, flipped?
A Storm Without Rain
In terms of environment, it may not seem like there was a storm taking place in the hospital lobby, but there was very much a storm brewing, evidenced by the outpouring of Shane's heart over the letter, Holly and the quickly-approaching resolution. Shane's method of dealing with the Holly situation has been to address it emotionally, and head on. This instance was no different, her monologue a downpour of words, feelings and fears that dominated the conversation, Shane simultaneously on the verge of tears. Notice also that there's no score playing in the background as this scene transpires. Hold onto that observation for a bit. |
Inside Out
Stoic and silent in the hospital lobby, the same fears and feelings Shane was openly expressing were mirrored in the countenance of Oliver's face. Though he managed to maintain composure long enough to hear Shane out, being posed the question, "...[what] are you afraid of?" proved too much, causing Oliver to retreat. Of course, retreating, or at least dealing with his feelings out of the sight of others, is Oliver's MO. Which is why we find him alone, in the rain, struggling to take the risk he knew needed taken. Take a look at that scene again (skip to 2:45 for the rain scene): | |
Interestingly the scene really starts with Shane looking for Oliver, only to find the space he recently occupied completely empty. Her thoughts on him and his whereabouts, the scene transitions to answer the question for us. Suddenly the storm we saw brewing in Oliver's eyes has engulfed him in the form of a literal torrential downpour. Where Shane's words were all the sound her scene in the hospital lobby needed, the sound during Oliver's scene in the rain speaks volumes. |
The score becomes more complete as Oliver turns to find Shane behind him, as if fully answering that question of "...what [Oliver]...is afraid of," finally finishing the conversation they were having in the lobby. During this brief period I can't help but get the feeling that bass sound actually represents both their heartbeats, Oliver's from nerves, and Shane from the realization the situation has officially left their control, her worst fears realized.
Dry under the umbrella, but visibly soaked to the bone in emotion, Shane's facial expression wordlessly speaks for her in this scene, like Oliver's did in the hospital lobby. In this moment, the scenes are comparatively flipped. It also feels like Shane is getting a glimpse inside Oliver's head, experiencing the full depth and weight of the burden he carries for herself. Both their fears acknowledged, the score begins to fade, even as the tension remains. |
Seeing Both Sides,
~C