Film analysis

Films were considered to be the first of the modern “supermedia” because they engage not only one, but two of our major senses. Is it not true that when we watch an interesting movie, our eyes are glued on the screen? We hate to be disturbed because we do not want to miss anything. This is the way films work on an audience. And if the movie is excellently done, it will surely keep the audience on their seats.

The five-point model being used in the analysis of films is basically the same elements found in literary texts, namely: plot or story, character, setting, theme and style. (I will expound on these elements in my succeeding column.)

Films usually become successful when they have an interesting plot coupled with suspense and action. Such combination makes them click. Of course, the character also has a great deal of importance. A powerful character can build up an unknown actor into a well-known and bankable star.

The element of suspense and action is what makes the film Conspiracy Theory interesting and riveting. Added to it are two powerful personalities in the person of Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts who portrayed the two main characters in the story.

Mel Gibson is Jerry Fletcher, an eccentric cab driver who was a former war veteran and an involuntary participant in a mind control program, which the government eventually calls off. This technology controls the mind of the person and programs him to become an assassin. Fletcher becomes the target of a relentless pursuit by the author of the program in the person of Dr. Jonas (portrayed by Patrick Stewart). This is where the suspenseful action starts. Caught in the midst of the action is Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), a government lawyer who becomes a friend to Jerry after saving her from mugging attempts. Together, the two of them thought of clever means to get rid off their pursuers.

Jonas convinces Alice that it was Jerry who killed her father. Alice allows herself to become bait so Jerry could be captured. The moment of truth comes when the pursuers closed in on them. Alice finally realized that it was not Jerry who killed her father, and that Jonas meant to eliminate them both.


Conspiracy Theory makes an interesting viewing not only because of the element of suspense that makes the plot riveting but also because of its fast-paced editing and continuity of shots. Not to mention the presence of these two actors (Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts) who are both well known for their convincing performance.

Although the five elements are important to make a great film, seldom it happens that all five are given equal weight in the production of movies. There are films that have very thin plot yet turns out a commercial success because of well known stars that portray the lead role. And there are movies with great stories that employ unknown actors and yet turn out to become award-winning success.