Looking at Movies: Film analysis

Looking at Movies: Film analysis

       When analyzing a film there are two important things that you should look at. One would be content, or subject matter. The other important thing to look at is form, or how the subject matter is expressed. Formal analysis is a specific type of visual description which meant to evoke the work in the reader’s mind. Instead it is an explanation of visual structure, of the ways in which certain visual elements have been arranged.  Some example in a movie would be symbolic value, slow motion, motif, establishing shot, long shot, point of view and metaphor. These entire things will determine the mood and state of mind of the film. For example doing a formal analysis for the movie Juno, the audience expects her to abort the baby. The scene leads up to an abortion clinic and outside an anti-abortionist try to change Juno’s mind. Outside the clinic is a terrible parking lot, cheesy stone facade, and bad interior reflecting on how bad the clinic and process is. This mood is set up as Juno changes her mind about the abortion. Look, point of view and reaction is also important in the situation when she decide to change her mind. Analyzing films helps determine what the message of the movie is for, who it’s for, why it was directed, the mindset of the director and what thoughts were put into this film. Film analyzing will help you better understand the film mindset and perhaps identify the main ideas or the point that is trying to make. Better understanding and concept of a film can help a viewer enjoy the movie greater than they would of before.