I can’t imagine saying anything about “Jaws” that hasn’t already been said by hundreds of movie buffs all around the world. It’s all at once a movie about fear of the unknown, the trauma of being controlled by our fear, and man vs nature. “Jaws” is absolutely flawless gem that worked on little resources and so many accidents that director Steven Spielberg had to literally take bruised, busted, lemons to make lemonade. “Jaws” had every potential to fail and be an infamous box office flop, but its measured tension, deliberate pacing, and ability to establish our heroes before their fateful battle on the ocean with the shark.
When a young woman is killed by a shark while skinny-dipping near the New England tourist town of Amity Island, police chief Martin Brody wants to close the beaches, but mayor Larry Vaughn overrules him, fearing that the loss of tourist revenue will cripple the town. Ichthyologist Matt Hooper and grizzled ship captain Quint offer to help Brody capture the killer beast, and the trio engage in an epic battle of man vs. nature.
What I adore is that while Spielberg drenches his film with the amazing soundtrack by John Williams, the climactic battle at sea is shot with almost no score, allowing us to soak in the inherent terror unfolding. The sound design is easily one of the most mesmerizing and memorable elements of “Jaws” as it helps to tie the film together. The movie as a whole would have worked well, but John Williams helps to punctuate the inherent terror and urgency of this increasingly dire circumstance. Much in the way that the humans affect the ocean’s fragile existence, this massive shark begins to threaten the existence of Amity Island.
It’s not only through slaughtering innocent swimmers, but also potentially destroying the economic dependence on tourism during the summer. Although Mayor Vaughn is one of the most despised figures in movie history, he’s a man who also takes a beating like Brody. He’s put in to an impossibly tough corner, and is forced to put everything on the line when he realizes it’s probably too late. Even with scenes that would become the gold standard for future blockbusters, Spielberg shines through. That’s thanks to his ability to draw out tension and keep the audience constantly anxiety ridden.
He also directs a meticulously cast ensemble of performers, all of whom play well within their intended dynamic. Robert Shaw elicits some of the best scenes in the film, playing the crusty sea captain Quint. He’s a man who is at his best when getting a rise out of people and is almost always victorious when getting a rise out of his colleagues Brody and Matt. Shaw’s performance is so deliciously self-aware that he’s both charming and obnoxious in his skin; he’s a classic Spielberg hero. “Jaws” is the standard for pretty much any cinema related avenue.
It’s a perfect example of tension, mystery, character development, creating a horrific nemesis, and ultimately how music and film go hand in hand.