Paprika (1991): More Than Just Brothel Drama - Let's Talk Cinematography!

Okay, so I just finished watching Paprika (1991), and wow, I have Thoughts (capital 'T' intended!). I went in expecting a pretty standard melodrama, you know, girl goes to work at a brothel, drama ensues, predictable ending. And while the basic plot points are kinda there, it's the way it's shot and framed that really grabbed me. Specifically, I was really interested with how the director(s) or cinematographer choose to frame Mimma/Paprika within her environments. There's a recurring visual motif of her reflected in mirrors or partially obscured by doorways. I feel like this creates a sense of the character's internal conflict and how she is somewhat removed from her new reality. When she looks in mirrors, it's like she's trying to reconcile Mimma with the new Paprika, and the doorways suggest a transition between worlds. It's subtle, but REALLY adds depth. Franco's a slightly different case. The lighting around him always seemed to be in a soft, warm light. This is interesting because this helps visually represent the character's innocence and romantic appeal, contrasting him with the darker surroundings of the brothel. It's like, he's a beacon of hope or something. Also he's kind of dreamy. Haha. Overall, I think some of the shots were incredible. While there are some scenes that may have felt a bit repetitive, Paprika is definitely a film that I want to rewatch specifically analyzing the framing and camera placement decisions. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this too! Did anyone else notice these kinds of visual cues, or am I just overthinking it? Let me know!