Film

Benefits of film analysis

-allows us to reach valid conclusions on value and meaning of movies -helps to capture the experience of the overall film in our minds -sharpens our critical judgements overall

characterization can be through

-appearance -dialogue -external action -internal action -reactions of other characters -contrast of dramatic foils -caricature and leitmotif -choice of name

focus on emotion effect or mood

-identify a single mood or emotion that prevails throughout the filk or to view each segment of the film as a step leading to a single powerful emotional effect -plot is subordinate to emotional response -Hitchcock suspense thrillers can be interpreted as having a mood or emotional effect as their primary focus and unifying element (Psycho; silence of the lambs; the piano)

focus on ideas

-in many serious films action and characters have a significance that helps to clarify some aspect of life, experience or the human condition -idea is presented subtly and find interpretation that we feel best fits the film as a whole

central ideas that filmmakers focus on

-moral implications -truth of human nature -social problems -the struggle for human dignity -complexity of human relationships -coming of age/ loss of innocence/ growing awareness -moral or philosophical riddle

4 major focuses used by filmmakers

-plot -emotional effect or mood -character -style or texture

focus on character

-plot is important in these films bc it helps us understand the character being developed -characters have qualities that set them apart from ordinary people (Ali; a beautiful mind; raging bull)

movie that focus on plot

-provides an escape from the boredom and drabness of everyday life -exciting and fast paced -final outcome is all important -little real significance (black hawk down; fast and furious; freaky friday)

creating symbolic meanings

-repetition -value placed on an object by a character -context -special visual, aural, or musical emphasis -metaphors

focus on style, texture or structure (STS)

-story is told in such a unique way the STS becomes most dominate aspect -unique look, feel, rhythm, atmosphere, tone or organization -STS permeant the film and all the cinematic elements are woven together into one rich tapestry -Often not commercially successful (pulp fiction; fargo; memento; raising arizona)

elements of a good story

-unified plot -credibility -interesting (suspense; action; etc) -Both simplicity and complexity -handles emotion with restraint

focus on moral or philosophical riddle

Develop film around riddle or puzzling quality -poses more questions than it does provide answers

Internal Truths of human nature

The way things are supposed to be -Want or need to believe in certain truths -fairy tale and happy ever after endings

Artistic semblance of truth

The way things never were and never will be -convincing establishment of another time or fantastic environment -midsummers night dream; et; rosemary's baby

Externally Observable Truths

The way things really are -based on whelming evidence in the world around us (driving miss daisy; rain man)

focus on the struggle for human dignity

Two opposing sides of human nature -to surrender to animal instincts and wallow in the slime of human weakness -or to struggle to stand erect, to display courage and show strong individualism -central characters are places in a position of disadvantage

a unified plot focuses on

a single thread of continuous action, where one event leads to another naturally and logically -cause and effect relationship

Moral implications

characters are representative of humanity as a whole -serve to as vehicles to illustrate some widely or universally acceptable truth about human nature

focus on social problems

films that expose social vices and follies or criticize social institutions -criticism of human nature with the specific functions of human being as social animals and with the social institutions and traditions they have created

symbolism can be from

natural and universal symbols

theme

refers to the unifying central concern of the film, the special focus that unifies the work -identifying the theme can be considered both the beginning and the end of the film analysis