Because they help set a tone, create symbolism and emotion — while also contributing to a film’s aesthetics — the importance of color in movies, as well as lightin, is undoubtedly huge and assuredly helps effectively tell a story, consequently keeping viewers invested.
Through the years, countless talented directors have resorted to certain color palettes as a means to enhance the emotional aspect of their films, managing to come up with wonderful, visually stunning films as a result. FromDrivetoHero, these are some of the best usages of color in film, according to Reddit.
10’Drive’ (2011)
StarringBarbiestarRyan Gosling,Nicolas Winding Refn’sanxiety-inducing action dramais guaranteed to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. It follows the actor’s mysterious character, an action film stuntman who works multiple jobs at once and ultimately attempts to help his neighbor’s husband rob a pawn shop.
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On top of an excellent soundtrack,Drivealso features astounding cinematography byNewtonThomas Sigel, showcasing a memorable usage of colors. According toBwian, the film has “the best usage of the blue-orange dynamic” they have ever seen. Not only is theDriveextremely stylish and atmospheric to look at, but it features tons of symbolism “everywhere,” astomediarchwould agree.
9’Her' (2013)
ThisJoaquin Phoenix-led science fiction drama is nothing short of incredible mostly due to the way it questions near-future highly-advanced technology and the unconventional romantic storyline it features.Hercenters on a lonely writer who develops a strong connection with an operating system.
Spike Jonze’s futuristic feature, which was shot byHoyte van Hoytema, is not only immensely thought-provoking but deeply satisfying to look at. “Watching the film ‘Her’ made me wish I knew more about cinematography,“jdg2wadmitted in a comment on the platform. “The color scheme felt very deliberate in every shot; everything from the background sets to Phoenix’s choice of clothing seemed like it set a tone for the whole movie.”
8’Amélie' (2001)
This quirky, lighthearted Frenchmagical realism featuredirected byJean-Pierre Jeunetand shot byBruno Delbonneltells the story of a shy waitress (AudreyTautou) who is often caught up in her own imaginative world and on a never-ending quest to help others find happiness.
Featuring delicious reds, yellows, and greens,Amélieholds a lot of symbolism behind the colors it uses, namely green, which obviously stands for hope. “Never has something been as bright and reflective of the story around it as Amelie managed to pull off,“CinemaLightscommented. “A flat out gorgeous movie.”
7’The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’ (1964)
It isn’t for no reason that the movies of theFrench New Wave directorJacques Demyserve as inspiration to many even today. In the colorfulThe Umbrellas of Cherbourg, one of the filmmaker’s most influential and well-known features, viewers follow a woman (Catherine Deneuve) who is set apart from her lover when he is drafted to serve in the Algerian War.
Whenbellsofwar3mentioned the iconic feature on a Reddit discussion about films that have the best use of color,spacednlostcould not help commenting, “My first thought. Highly recommend this movie.” The film’s lively palette may not be everything there is toThe Umbrellas of Cherbourg, but it is certainly one of its most striking aspects.
6’The Wizard of Oz' (1939)
In this timeless tale, young Dorothy Gale (JudyGarland) and her dog Toto are carried away by a turbulent storm from their Kansas farm. When they step foot in the fantastical Land of Oz, the two quickly set out on a quest to find the Wizard who will send them home.
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Given its brilliant use of technicolor, it is no news thatVictor Fleming’sThe Wizard of Ozis one of the most groundbreaking movies ever made. “I will never forget the first time I saw it as a four year old,“CMelodywrote. “I instantly knew that when Dorothy emerged in Oz that she had emerged in a magical place without anyone having to explain it to me.” The film was shot byHaroldRosson.
5’Schindler’s List' (1993)
Set in German-occupied Poland during World War II,Steven Spielberg’s (JanuszKamiński-shot)distinctive war dramacenters on real-life German industrialist,Oskar Schindler(played byLiam Neeson), who grows worried about his Jewish employees as he witnesses the Nazis' persecution.
Color — or rather the lack of it — is obviously a huge part ofSchindler’s List, as it helps evoke a tragic era and consequently deepen the emotional impact of its narrative. The little girl in the red coat is the only bit of color in the entire movie and symbolizes innocence and hope. “Schindler’s List was pretty powerful,“gordo31said. “Schindler’s list seems to be the go to movie for most people to highlight great usage of color,“parallelpolygoncommented on a different post.
4’The Fall' (2006)
Directed byTarsemSingh,The Fallcenters on a tale of five mythical heroes as told by a wounded stuntman to a young girl with a broken arm in the hospital. As the story progresses, the distinction between fiction and reality becomes more and more hazy because of his shattered mental state and her creative imagination.
Wonderfully shot byColinWatkinson, this visually striking picture is, according toKey-Bug8085, a “truly outstanding movie.” Although the film itself may not be everybody’s cup of tea, there is no way to deny how aesthetically pleasing it is. “A lot of care was taken in producing beautiful set-pieces with vibrant colors,“Bwiansaid.
3’In the Mood for Love' (2000)
InWong Kar-wai’s spellbinding masterpiece, two friendly neighbors (Tony Leung Chiu-waiandMaggie Cheung) who suspect their spouses' extramarital activities find themselves being extremely drawn to each other but reluctantly agree to keep their connection platonic.
In the Mood for Loveis a beautifully made and intense romance that explores muted lust and desire through a compelling storyline. What’s more? Shot byChristopher Doyle,Mark Lee Ping-bing, andKwan Pun Leung, the2000film is filled with rich colors and powerful symbolism. “You could take any screenshot from it and hang it on your wall,” ausernoted.
2’The Grand Budapest Hotel' (2014)
It would be a crime not to mention the works ofWes Andersonwhen discussing the masterful usage of color in film, and Redditors seem to agree.The Grand Budapest Hotel, one of the most mentioned flicks on the platform, recounts the adventures of a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel (Ralph Fiennes) and the lobby boy who is his right-hand man (Tony Revolori).
RELATED:New to Wes Anderson? Start With This Movie
“Most Wes Anderson movies make good use of color,” anow-deleted accountsaid when ausermentioned the film. “Anything by Wes Anderson specifically Grand Budapest,” anotherdeleted userremarked on a different post. In truth, it is hard to remain indifferent to Anderson’s colorful and quirky flicks withexcellent set designs, and that is also thanks to DoPRobert Yeoman’s, a frequent collaborator, astounding work.
1’Hero' (2002)
In this stunning film byYimou Zhang,a nameless fighter (JetLi) is awarded for slaying three of the king’s most fearsome adversaries. The movie is set in China and recounts the battles Nameless won while the king interjects with his takes.
On Reddit,Ecole_Buissonnierecould not help gushing over the breathaking film. “Herois my favourite use of colour by far,” they wrote. “Every fight has a different color hue,“BrainzRYummycommented on a different post, to which adeleted userreplied: “Not just the fights! The colors also represent different versions of the same plot from various perspectives.” The Christopher Doyle-shot film features five colors as the main narrative elements.
