Film Analysis - Part II

We are all familiar with the so-called high tech movies, are we not? The kind of films the likes of Spielberg and Lucas usually make. These kind of movies (e.g. ET, Jaws, Star Wars, and others, in the same category) usually become top grosser not because they have exceptional stories to tell but because they used a lot of special effects and convincing soundtrack that make viewers interested and awed.

Special effects are important elements of the setting of a film as much as location, costumes, sets and props. It usually involves a lot of creativity, money and time to create a particular setting in a film. I remember watching the making of the movie Volcano on TV, and it was shown there how the film’s design engineer was able to create this sticky substance which appeared on screen as flowing lava. Much of the special effects done on that particular movie were computer generated.

Computer technology is really a marvel of our times. More and more, filmmakers are turning to computers to enhance the special effects in their films. Some Filipino filmmakers also apply the same technology to improve their craft.

Theme is also another important element of film. It is the message that the film tries to communicate to us viewers. However, there are films that do not deliberately convey specific philosophies in life. Most films, especially the less serious kind, merely express a particular view of the world. For example, the recent movie starred in by Bette Midler (That Old Feeling) simply implied that commitment and fidelity is not really that important in a relationship. The story line is typically western in approach, where physical attraction is the yardstick to a successful relationship.

Films, whether they are comedies or melodramas have a message to communicate. In feel-good movies, ideas are easily understood than from the serious kind of films where you have to analyze very well the story line, the symbolism of images and the underlying meaning of music and editing.

Filmmakers are like poets, you know. Well, at least the serious ones. When they make a movie, they weave the whole thing like a poem. That is why there is a kind of style in making films, which they call “poetic realism”. Another style, which I also find very artistic, is what I will call “magical realism”. You can say it is the kind of style that blends fantasy and reality. The European filmmaker, Alfonso Arau is noted for this.

These elements (plot, character, setting, theme and style) are very important in analyzing a film. However, oftentimes it is the theme, (or the values the film conveys) that is given attention to, thus forgetting that the other elements are equally important in the making of the film.