Five Shots: THE LAST STOP IN YUMA COUNTY
just what it says on sign nailed to the clapboard wall of the diner parking lot
Five of our spoiler-free favourite shots from The Last Stop in Yuma County.
Classic Cafe Shot
A standby for a reason! A nice slow dolly-in to Charlotte (Jocelin Donahue) and the knife salesman (Jim Cummings) doesn’t hurt.
Smash Cut
We know the name (and by this point in the film, how much of the conceit it makes up) of the movie we’re watching.
So when Vernon (Faizon Love) starts telling two travellers the fact of the title . . .
a smash cut to Charlotte serving said travellers a slice of pie tells us everything we need to know about their decision.
Top Downs
At this point we know where everyone in the cafe is, but the scene wants to establish (or in some cases reestablish) what they’re doing. It does so with a series of high-angle shots looking similarly at everyone in a fun, stylised way.
A Lil Extra Love
As the knife salesman walks to the phone, light plays across a framed one-dollar bill.
Whether lights were set and camera operated *just so* to get this effect, or whether someone standing off-camera points a light over the framed dollar, it’s a lovely touch.
It’s also believable enough to be natural the shiny drawers at the start of the clip also reflect sunlight) while accentuating the dollar enough to be SURE we know that’s what makes the knife salesman’s stop and run to . . . well, we find out soon enough.
Match Cut
The cut from gas cans tipping to water burbling is a fun scene switch and uses audio nicely. The sherriff (Michael Abbott Jr.) striking a match to light his pipe continues the lovely little audio roll, and also connects fire to gasoline — not for the last time.