film review

Order Description

film review on The Shining- 2 pages
Use this as a guide: an example only

1. Opening Statement: Introduce the film, the year it was made, the names of the director and any main actors, and if it is a sequel, remake, etc. And make a brief
statement about the film.

There has never been a film that has withstood the test of time better than the Academy Award winning classic, Casablanca. It has iconic one-liners that have been
passed down by families for generations and transcended into a reoccurring phenomenon in film. Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz and staring Humphry Bogart,
Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, and Dooley Wilson, came out in 1942 and is an iconic story of love and sacrifice in the face of World War II and the Nazi
conquest of Europe. This dramatic fantasy a perfect example of American film noir with small hints of comedy and gangster film elements as well which gives multiple
dimensions to the film. Taking a further look into each element of this film can give better perspective into what makes this movie such a classic.

2. Break down The elements of the Poetics.

A. Plot – A Brief Synopsis, opinion of the storyline and break-down of the plot diagram:

EX: The story of Casablanca begins with the viewers meeting the main character Rick Blaine (Bogart), a bitter and stoic former American freedom fighter who was
banished from his own country, who oversees the most popular nightclub in the city of Casablanca, Africa. The city itself is a stopping point for refugees from war-
torn European countries desperately seek letters of transit to America. Blaine just so happens to possess two of these letters of transit after a freedom fighter was
captured by Nazi Major Stasser inside of his club. In walks a famous Czech freedom fighter Victor Lazslo (Henried) and his beautiful wife Ilsa (Bergman) who are on the
run and looking to travel to America to escape the Nazi’s. Ilsa is a former lover of Blaine’s who abandoned him on a train platform when they were supposed to leave
Paris together after the Nazi’s invaded France. After explaining why she had to leave and proclaiming she still loved him they made plans to run off together with the
letters of transit he previously acquired. Little did she know, when they arrived at the airport he tells her that the tickets are for Lazslo and her to escape
together, sacrificing himself so the love of his life could get away safely.

B. Diction (This means Language)

EX:

The language is that of an early 1900’s detective movie where everyone speaks very articulate, except when they get drunk, and the diversity of cultures and their
respective languages are predominant throughout the film. Rick and Sam speak with a proper American dialect; Ilsa and Lazslo speak with a similar dialect even though
they are supposed to be from different countries. Captain Renault has a French accent that is soft and soothing. Major Strasser speaks in German or with a German
accent and has a very direct tone. Most of the language used is period accurate and is a good representation of speech during the time of WWII in a hodgepodge city
like Casablanca.

C. Character (describe the characters you liked and did not like, and why, what is the goal of each main character and what are they willing to do to get what they
want? What are the key relationships in the film? ):

EX:

The characters are embellished and can be considered cheesy to a certain degree with all the one-liners and overacting. However, early black and white films such as
this are filled with not so subtle outlooks on acting. Rick’s character has a ton of depth and is first presumed as a prideful, secluded, and selfish individual in the
beginning, but is later found to be sentimental, passionate, and likeable. His love for Ilsa is what drives his character development from this bitter man into a man
who would sacrifice himself for the greater good. Ilsa’s character is very beautiful, and is first seen as a lover and deserter of Rick’s during their time in Paris.
It is later revealed that her devotion to her once presumed dead husband Victor kept her from leaving Paris with Rick. Her character later gives into her feeling she
still holds for Rick and her passion for true love is shown. Lazslo is driven by his love for Ilsa to finish the research he has been conducting for the resistance.
His goal is to get him and his wife safely to America so they can live out their life away from the German invasion. The love triangle between Rick, Ilsa, and Lazslo
is the ultimate motivation for their characters’ actions. The rest of the characters; Sam, Renault, and Strasser are driven by their duties to their country and
superiors.

D. Spectacle: Sets, costumes, sound effects, lighting, stage action, etc… (If it is a written-version of the play, then describe the spectacle provided in the
italics/ stage directions of the script).

EX: The set for the film focused on three main locations – the airport, the apartment in Paris, and the Café that Rick owns. Rick’s Café is very time appropriate with
the cast wearing the appropriate and diverse costumes that would be found in a city like Casablanca during WWII. For example, the suits and gowns of the upper-class
citizens, the turbans and blanket style garments of the street vendors, and the soldiers’ uniforms seen throughout the movie can give the viewer insight into the
diversity of culture in the city. Small things like the abundant cigarette smoking, curtains, drink wear, and pens set the stage for the audience by helping them
imagine they are in the café with the characters. The lighting changes from a bright set during times when everyone is social, and turns dark when the underground
espionage begins to playout.

E. Music (Rhythm of dialogue, sung music, background music)

EX: Sound effects like hearing the planes flying over the city give hints to the desperation the people have for leaving Casablanca. All these elements are crucial to
visually tell the story of Casablanca. The song “Time Goes By” is the reoccurring theme song of the movie that adds to the story explains the love that Rick and Ilsa
still have for each other after all this time apart. The background music gives insight into emotions the characters are feeling without saying the words.

F. Thought: What is implied more than spoken

EX: The moral of the story is that sometime we must sacrifice our own feelings for the ones we love. In the beginning, Rick wanted nothing to do with Ilsa or Lazslo
and his cause. After Rick learning of why Ilsa left him in Paris they could not hold back there feeling for each other and started to make plans to run away together.
However, in the end Rick told Ilsa to go with Lazslo to America and he would stay behind to make sure they made it off the runway safely, making the ultimate sacrifice
of not being with the one he loved.

3. Conclusion. Your final statements on the paper.

EX: Casablanca is a fantastic movie that truly deserves to be talked about as one of the greatest movies of all time. It was revolutionary filmmaking for its time and
the dialogue is impeccable. They hit all plot points and rounded out the story with the decision that Rick had to make that went against his own desires. There are no
plot-holes that I can put in the story and the fact that they left the story open with Rick and Renault walking away from the airport, leaving it up to my imagination
as to what happened next. I highly recommend that everyone watch this movie, if not for anything else, at least for the appreciation of how far the film industry has
come.

REMEMBER:

1. I want YOUR Opinion, not just a summary.

2. Some of the sections may only require one or two statements.

3. Finish with a sun-up statement about whether you liked or disliked the play.

4. Give concrete reasons why you liked or disliked the play. After reading Unit 2, you should understand Objective and Subjective qualities- use objective (The woman
was wearing a yellow dress) and subjective (the play made me feel sad) statements.