Movie Criticism and Film Theory

Mrs. Kellie-Ann Cripe

Character● Can be revealed

through their actions, speech and appearance.

● Can be discovered by comments of other characters and interaction with other characters.

● Can be flat (one-sided) or round (fully developed

Protagonist● Is the main character in a work of

literature or movie.● Can sometimes be the narrator

Antagonist

● The character in a story who is in conflict with the main character.

● Can be another character, nature, fate, society or even the protaganist

Character Foil

● Traits are in direct contrast to protagonist

● Highlights traits of protagonist by opposition, can be minor or major character.

Stereotype

● Demonstrates common traits of a group rather than being individual

● Sometimes derogatory in nature

Setting● The time and the place of the story.● A story can be set in a realistic or imaginary

place and can occur in the past, present,or future.

● Setting affects the characters and storyline in unique ways

Setting Types

● Integral Setting is essential to the plot and influences characters.

● Backdrop Setting relatively unimportant to the plot and characters just a background

Mood● A feeling or emotion that a story stirs

in the viewer.

Point Of View● The vantage point in

which the story is told.● First Person- ‘I’● Third Person- ‘He,

she it”● Omniscient -knows

everything ● Objective - presents

without comment or emotion

Foreshadowing

● An author’s way of hinting to the reader of what is to come in the story.

Theme

● The main idea that the film wishes to share with the audience

● Rarely stated directly, inferred by the audience

● Universal in nature applying to society, human nature

● Can often be applied to individuals watching the film as they relate to it.

Sample Themes

● Acceptance● Betrayal ● Coming of Age● Destiny● Duty ● Faith● Freedom● Friendship

● Good Versus Evil ● Justice● Love● Perserverance ● Power ● Redemption● Revenge● Transformation

Conflict

● A struggle between opposing forces; conflicts can be external or internal.

External Conflict

● Person-vs-fate● Person-vs-person● Person-vs-nature● Person-vs-society● Person-vs-technology

● Struggle with outside forces

Internal Conflict

● Takes place in the character’s mind.

● �Character often pulled by two courses of action or by conflicting emotions

Plot

● The series of events in sequential order.

● What happens 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and so on.

● The plot centers on at least one major problem called a conflict.

Timing of Plot● Chronological - Events are told in the

order of occurance.● Flashback/Flashforward - Events

are told out of order either jumping ahead or back at various points in the story.

● Time Lapse - Story skips a time period that seems unusual compared to rest of plot

Five Main Parts of the Plot

● Not all stories fit this pattern.

● The exposition may appear in the middle of the story instead of the beginning.

● A story can end with a climax, leaving no falling action.

Climax

Resolution

Rising Action

Falling Action

Exposition

Exposition● The opening film often

provides background information that the audience needs to know.

● It introduces the characters, describes the setting, and may recap important events before the action of the story.

Rising Action

● The chain of events become more complex. The actions and feelings of the characters intensify as their problems become more complicated.

Rising Action

Climax

● The highest point of interest

● Where most action takes place in the store

● Involves an important event,decision, or discovery that affects the final outcome.

Falling Action

● Following the climax, the intensity of the story may subside.

● The falling action describes the results of the major events as the action winds down.

Falling action

Resolution

● The final part of the story.● It tells how the story ends. All the loose ends

are tied up.● May also set the stage for future stories or

sequels.

Film Elements

● Film Score● Lighting● Costumes● Sound Effects● Special Effects● Filming● Editing

Additional Questions● How does the movie portray Men? Women? Children? ●● Product Placements/Advertising?●● What is the protagonist main strength and flaw? ●● What character do you most relate to? Admire? Despise? ●● Is there a portrayal of faith or religion? Is it positive, negative, neutral? ●● How do the values and themes compare to your own values and beliefs? ●