WRITING A FILM

REVIEW
The Four Functions of Film
Reviewing
The material for this section was derived from the wonderful book Making
Meaning by David Bordwell and was supplemented by Debbie Twyman
Journalism

Film reviews of this type present the reader with the latest news and information about
the most recent film releases. These reviews tend to focus on the most significant
aspects of a specific film. In other words, these reviews tend to note such "important"
information as the stars of the film, the cost of the production (just ask
Director James Cameron about that one!), and interesting aspects about the production
itself (cool special effects, new techniques, a cast of thousands, etc.). Generally
speaking, film reviews of this type tend to fall into two categories -- journalism of
opinion (which presents a carefully thought out position on a film backed up with
background information and examples) and journalism of taste (a simple evaluation of
the film). In depth reviews of films tend to combine these two types of journalism.
Students in Film Appreciation should strive to construct in depth reviews.
Advertising
The primary purpose of these film reviews is to publicize a film and
to convince readers to go watch it. Reviewers who engage in this
type of reviewing regard themselves as providing a service -
certainly to the studio - and to the reader by functioning as a guide
to what is currently available at their local multiplex. Warning. Did
you ever wonder about those up close and personal interviews with
stars about their latest projects - the really glowing warm fuzzy kind
that air on your local television station? These are frequently
arranged for by the movie studio that is promoting the film in
question. They fly the critic out for an all expense paid interview
with the star in the hopes that it will garner the movie some positive
press for their film. This is the same way that they get those great
quotes that they put on advertisements for the film. You know, the
ones by critics that you have never heard of. As in all things, let the
buyer beware.
Criticism

Reviews of this kind generally provide a

brief description of the film while focusing
on the analysis and evaluation of the film's
artistic merits. Film Appreciation students
who really want to get an A from Ms.
Twyman and who want to run with the Big
Dogs try to write reviews of this caliber.
Rhetoric (Writing)

Ph.D. candidates and folks who are seriously interested in film

often write reviews that border on essays and that are judged as
much on their literary merit as on their cinematic content. These
sorts of essays are often grouped together and published by
academic press or a small independent publishing company. They
are not for the faint of heart. Frankly, unless they are written or
edited by Pauline Kael or Roger Ebert they should probably only
be read by a serious film student. Translated, your classmates
won't enjoy these and virtually no one visiting our Web Site is on
a quest for writing of this depth, so wait till you get your MFA in
Film Studies to forge into this territory. But what the heck, if you
feel like attempting this Twyman will be impressed and if you
bribe her with enough chocolate she can probably be convinced
not to read your essay/review out loud to the class.
FILM REVIEW GUIDELINES

Paragraph 1: Offer your overall

impression of the film while mentioning the
movie's title, director, and key actors.
Paragraph 2: Summarize the plot of the

film
Paragraph 3: How did the actors portray

key character roles? Did they fulfill your

expectations given your knowledge of the
original novel or play (if one exists)?
 Paragraph 4: Were any particular film techniques
used in key scenes? How did the film techniques and
music enhance the setting and themes of the film?
You may need two paragraphs to explain this
information.
Paragraph 5: Address how well the film represents

the novel or play. Offer evidence for your opinion.

Remember to mention use of symbols and literary
devices. Do they "transfer" from the novel/play into
the movie well?
Paragraph 6: Ending paragraph--your last opportunity

to guide the reader. Offer a clincher that tells the

reader to attend the film or not.
Film Analysis Essay Guidelines

Guide to Critical Assessment of Film

The following questions should help you in
your critical evaluation of your film choice(s)
for your assigned essay. Please keep in mind
that sophisticated film, like literature, requires
more than one viewing to begin to appreciate
its purpose beyond merely the plot. You will
need to view your film(s) with this in mind. You
should use some of these questions to
complete a journal on your film.
BACKGROUND

Who is the writer of the film? Has the

screenplay been adapted from another
work?
Who is the director?
When was the film made?
STRUCTURE / FORM

What does the title mean in relation to the film as a

whole?
How are the opening credits presented? Do they

relate to meaning?
Why does the film start in the way that it does?

Are there any motifs (scenes, images) of dialogue

which are repeated? What purpose do they serve?

What three or four sequences are most important in

the film? Why?

Is sound used in any vivid ways either to enhance

the film? (i.e. Enhance drama, heighten tension,

disorient the viewer, etc.)
 How does the film use color or light/dark to suggest
tone and mood in different scenes?
Are there any striking uses of perspective (seeing
through a character's eyes, camera angle, etc.) How
does this relate to the meaning of the scene?
How and when are scenes cut? Are there any patterns
in the way the cuts function?
What specific scene constitutes the film's climax? How
does this scene resolve the central issue of the film?
Does the film leave any disunities (loose ends) at the
end? If so, what does it suggest?
Why does the film conclude on this particular image?
THEME

How does this film relate to the issues and questions evoked by
your topic?
Does the film present a clear point-of-view on your topic? How?

Are there any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at

the end? Why?

How does this film relate to the other literary texts you have

read on your topic (or in class this year or on your own)?

Many of the questions above are taken or adapted from

Timothy Corrigan's A Short Guide to Writing About Film and
David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson's Film Art: An
Introduction (5th ed.) and Kurt Weiler of New Trier High School
in Illinois.