ter scene in court as the judge notes how many foster homes Will has been in and how many times he has been in court for fighting and related matters. As the fight on the playground starts, though, it is the fight itself that is the focus. Will simply walks up, introduces himself, and starts hitting. The others attack individuals and generally follow Will's lead--they usually follow Will's lead. Van Sant shoots the fight in a different style than might be the case in a different film. He does not emphasize the violence through speed but through slow motion, creating a series of more languid images by which the viewer can see the attitude of each participant. Will is intense and angry, while his friends are going through the motions as if this were a job and they wanted to be finished. This shows a contrast in intention and personality--Will is angry and explodes, while the others follow because he is their leader. The camera in this sequence cuts from one fighting twosome to the next, returning a
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