Writing A Movie Review (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

How important is the setting to the movie as a whole? How does it relate to plot

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and character and theme?

ANALYZING PLOT

Your review should not just be a summary of what happens in the film. You

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should, however, discuss important turning-points in the film; important scenes

which reveal character; the opening and closing scenes; the importance of

subplots (if they exist).

The time-frame of the film could also be discussed here. How much time elapses

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during the film? (an hour? 30 years?) Are there flashbacks? dream sequences?

flash forwards? This might be the place to discuss the choice of the film's title.

ANALYZING CHARACTER

Who are the important characters? What are their major traits? How are they

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revealed to you? (Note camera shots and angles, the camera's point of view,

the use of voice-overs.) Is what the characters important, or what they do? Do

you come to know them by what others say about them? How important is their

appearance? their language? Are the characters realistic? Do they change?

Are there clear-cut heroes and villains?

ANALYZING STYLE AND TECHNIQUE

Note recurring visual images, symbols.

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How is music used?

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Discuss important camera and editing techniques.

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Discuss special effects, sound effects, lighting.

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DETERMINE THE THEME OF THE FILM

All the elements of the film should work together to lead you to the film's theme.

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It may be explicitly stated, but it is usually derived from the work as a whole. You

may be able to deduce it from the film's mood, or by considering the conflicts

presented. It may help to think about what the film presents as "good" and what

it presents as "evil." Are these issues clear-cut and simple or complex? Perhaps

the struggle of the main character(s) will lead you to the themes.

Prepared by Pat Salmon,

Vanier College Library

Writing A Movie Review Page 2