FILM REVIEWS

AS2.4 Produce a selection of crafted and controlled writing

FILM REVIEWSWhat is a film review?A film review both informs and entertains. It gives the reader enough information to know whether they should see the film or not without giving away too much in terms of the plot.What you need to cover:

CastingBrief plot no spoilersYour opinionThe title, director, rating and running time

What you could comment on:

SettingPrevious work by the directorFilms it is similar to (Hitchcock-esque)The acting of main actorsMusic in the film

Who is Anthony Mingella?

Anthony Minghella,CBE(6 January 1954 18 March 2008) was aBritishfilm director,playwrightandscreenwriter. He was Chairman of the Board of Governors at theBritish Film Institutebetween 2003 and 2007.

Minghella was born inRyde,Isle of Wight, the son of Gloria (ne Arcari) and Edward Minghella, ice cream factory owners.[1]His father was an Italian immigrant and his mother was born inLeedsto an Italian family;[2]her ancestors originally came fromValvori, a small village in theLazioregion of central Italy.AwardsYearTitleOscarnominationsOscarwinsBAFTAnominationsBAFTAwins1990Truly, Madly, Deeply311996The English Patient1291361999The Talented Mr. Ripley5712003Cold Mountain71132A number of Minghellas films were very well received critically and won multiple awards. Film deets

Based on a Patricia Highsmith 1955 novel of the same name, which was previously filmed as Plein Soleil in 1960.

Filmed in multiple locations across Italy and New York.

Stars Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman.

The film fits into the genres of crime, thriller and drama and is said to be Hitchcockian in style.

SettingThe twisted plot and violence in the film is juxtaposed with the gorgeous Italian backdrop.

Tom and Dickie visit a number of Italian cities together.

Tom first meets Dickie in the fictitious resort of Mongibello. The movie uses two separate locations: the beautiful island ofIschia, largest of the three volcanic islands in theBay of Naples; and its tiny neighbour,Procida.

They also visit Rome, San Remo and Venice.

Minghella used a number of different locations to film it including Sicily, Rome, Venice, Naples, Ischia. He didnt worry about the factual aspect of the setting and instead films multiple locations for one City in order to get the romantic and gorgeous image of Italy.

The castHe embarked on a romance with Sienna Miller shortly after splitting from wife Sadie Frost. His engagement to Sienna was called off amid allegations he had cheated on her with his children's nanny . He can't understand why he has been branded a "womaniser".

His role in Talented could almost be said to be art imitating life.

Previous well known roles: Jerome Morrow in Gattaca.

Jude Law

Perfect casting. Its no accident People magazines Sexiest man alive was cast as a womaniser and all round play boy.

Matt Damon

Matt Damons break through role was in Goodwill Hunting which he co wrote and starred in with Ben Affleck.

The Talented Mr. Ripley came 2 years later in 1999 and shows Damon in a very different light.

Minghella may have picked Matt because of his classic all-American good looks and trustworthy face.

Your task:Think, pair, share. Why would Minghella have wanted to cast Matt what would he bring to the role of Tom?

StyleSome critics have compared the film to the works of Alfred Hitchcock, a renowned director of psychological thrillers. It is said to have a Hitchcockian style. He is best known for his films Psycho, The Birds, Rear Window, Vertigo.

Features of the film that mirror a class Hitchcock include:The coolplatinum blond (Marge and Meredith)Characters who switch sides or who cannot be trusted.Tension building through suspense to the point where the audience enjoys seeing the character in a life-threatening situation.Bumbling or incompetent authority figures, particularly police officers.Use of darkness to symbolise impending doom (dark clothing, shadows, smoke, etc.)Strong visual use of famous landmarks.Mistaken identity Voyeurism (Tom watching Dickie when he doesnt know)A focus on the world of the privileged.

Your task: come up with an example of 3 of these stylistic features that the film has.Vocab and phrasingReviews use different vocab and phrases than regular writing.

Put these words and phrases into categories that you could use them in: e.g. setting, characters, actors and casting, writing and plot, director, film techniques. Find meanings for any words you dont already know.

Now pick 5 of the words and use them in a sentence about our film. CaptivatingPicturesqueAnti-heroPacingEvocativeDepthVirtuoso performanceExpertly castRomantic viewEdge-of-your-seatChillingly portrayedSophisticatedGlamorousSweeping shotsStriking sceneryEngulf the sensesThought provokingConfusingOriginalAbsorbingImaginativeTrue-to-lifePowerfulStaticOverratedSpectacular scenesNarcissisticCleverly portrayedAgainst typePlaying to his strengthsDazzlingTwists and turnsEnhancesSuspensefulDramaticHighly-chargedUnevenVersatile Dark and thrilling StellarHeart-poundingCharismatic actingComplex and enticingMulti-layeredDeceptiveCinematographyExpertly craftedGoes downhill from thereUnnervingPlot twistsGenreEngrossedTalented triviaThe opera excerpt is a scene from Eugene Onegin, by Tchaikovsky. The title character in the opera is, like Ripley, an attractive, charismatic, and clever young man, who aspires to be accepted by people of a higher social standing. This is best portrayed at the beginning of the third act when Onegen crashes a dinner party where he is clearly over his head and is quickly spotted as a poseur.Jude Lawlearned to play the saxophone andMatt Damonlearned to play the piano for this film. Damon's training enabled him to recreate the proper keyboard fingering; however, the music heard in the film is played by Sally Heath (the Bach) and Gabriel Yared (the Vivaldi).Is based on the novel of the same name byPatricia Highsmith. There are an additional four novels which follow "The Talented Mr. Ripley", they are "Ripley Underground", "Ripley's Game", "The Boy Who Followed Ripley", and "Ripley Under Water".Fausto and Dickie (and Tom, later) sing "Tu Vuo' Fa' L'Americano," a humorous song about an Italian man in the 50s who wants to imitate the American lifestyle he sees in the movies. But American food doesn't do him any good and in the end, the money he spends comes from his mother's purse.The second film in as many years in whichJude Lawplays an entitled young man impersonated throughout the movie by someone else. The other film isGattaca.Anthony Minghellaoriginally wantedTom Cruisefor the role of Ripley but after seeing Good Will Hunting, he decided to castMatt Damon.Option 1: Hot or not

Intro: What were your expectations going in, what were they based on, eg. Previous roles by cast, previous films by director. What did the poster/trailor lead you to expect? Pretend the film is in theatres right now.

Plot summary:Keep it brief but give a picture of what its about chance to use language techniques.

Hot or not: Two good things about the film.Followed by one or two bad things.(you need to cover off casting somewhere in here)

Conclusion:Your recommendation about seeing it, who would like it, where audiences can see it etc.Could use star ratings, number out of 10 etc.Option 1: Technique based

Intro: What were your expectations going in, what were they based on, eg. Previous roles by cast, previous films by director. What did the poster/trailor lead you to expect? Pretend the film is in theatres right now.

Plot summary:Keep it brief but give a picture of what its about chance to use language techniques.

Techniques: Evaluate 3 different techniques. One needs to be casting. Others could be symbolism, cinematography, music, setting.

Conclusion:Your recommendation about seeing it, who would like it, where audiences can see it etc.Could use star ratings, number out of 10 etc Beautiful creatures review

Which format do you think this film review is based on?

How do they introduce each section? Talented hot or notIn pairs or groups, come up with 3 things the film does well, or that you liked, and 3 things the film doesnt do so well, or you didnt like. Note: Just saying it was creepy isnt a good enough not. Think about things like pacing, characters, plot line, etc. Pacing uneven, unbalancedNot appealing to teensCharacters sometimes predicatableToo heavy on the foreshadowing, makes plot predictableGood casting Jude Law, maximising his playboy persona. Matt Damon against type.Good chemistry between characters Jude and Matt. Boat scene - dramaticTwists and turns edge of your seatSetting, gorgeous shots of Italy amid horrible acts.Good actingLanguage featuresReviews allow you to be playful and creative with your language.

You can use a number of language features to do this including:

Rhetorical question a question that doesnt need answering.

Puns a play on words. Usually in this case its using a saying from the film.

Metaphors, similes, personification, onomatopoeia etc

Neologism made up words, like Hitchcockian or Hitchcockesque.

Listing

Slang colloquial language, in this case its usually particularly appropriate to your film.

References to other films/styles/characters. Possibly to other films the actors or directors have made.

Silver Linings PlaybookYoull get 2 different reviews for Silver Linings Playbook.

Your task: read them and identify as many language features as you can. They could be the ones we outlined earlier or you could spot other ones as well.

Underline the language feature and make a note of which feature it is. The trailor

Do:

Use language featuresBe playful with your languageUse interesting vocab (use the list!)Use the format to guide youGive your opinionGive a plot summaryEnd it by giving a recommendation and a ratingGive multiple points, both positive and negative

Dont:

Make the whole review just plotGive away the twists and turns (no spoilers!)Use sentence starters like My opinion is or I think this movie or in conclusion you dont need those kinds of connecting sentences, just tell us, dont have to introduce what you are sayingHave a one sided review where you only say negative or positive things