BCM2006 Film Theory: Narrative Analysis of Films - Film Journal 1

This film journal assignment analyzes the narrative structures of 'The Martian' (2015) and 'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008). The analysis of 'The Martian' focuses on its plot, character development (particularly Matt Damon's role), and the use of suspense and visual elements to create a thrilling sci-fi experi...Read More

RUNNING HEAD: FILM JOURNAL
FILM JOURNAL

FILM JOURNAL 1: THE MARTIAN (2015) - NARRATIVE
The Martian was released on Oct 2, 2015. It was a Twentieth Century Fox Film
Corporation movie by director Ridley Scott (Zubrin, 2015). The Sci-Fi Drama, Adventure
and Action film had PG-13 rating. The cast of the film was Matt Damon, Jeff Daniels,
Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara and Kristen Wiig. The plot of the story involved an
unmanned mission to Mars which included Astronaut Mark Watney, role played by Matt
Damon was assumed to be dead, after a fierce storm. The current discussion focuses
on narrative on the film. The astronaut left behind by the crew survived and was found
to be stranded at Mars, where the atmosphere was hostile. In such conditions, he has
limited supplies of necessities and has to signal earth regarding that he is still alive. In
order to bring him back to earth, NASA with its team of international scientists works
along with his crewmates. Finally with his bravery, he is safely able to reach back the
world.
The story is fascinating sci-fi action movie and extremely likable. It is a step
forward for sci-fi films with significant combination of comedy. The cast and the set
backdrop in which the film is played provide tremendous amount of joy to viewers.
However the film does not offer many surprises (Metacritic). The characters play their
role intensely to create the mood set for suspense and Damon’s role is spectacular in
nature.
The director arouses curiosity when a way emerges for Damon to contact the
earth from Mars. The film’s formal system depicts development of the script in a gradual
manner. The role of Damon is most crucial in the movie as he plays the central role,
providing direction in the movie. The motifs in the movie are the plot that is set at Mars,
in the color backdrop. The camera movement and depiction of anxiety creates
suspense and a sense of thrill in the movie. The worldwide film release went on to earn
$630 million globally and has won various awards as well.
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FILM JOURNAL 2: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (2008) -NARRATIVE
The movie Slumdog Millionaire released in theatres on 30th August 2008.
Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy, it is a Fox Searchlight Pictures
release (Roy, 2011). The movie’s box office collection was $ 141, 243, 551. The scope
of the current discussion focuses on narration of the film.
The plot of the movie is of Jamal Malik, who is an 18 year old orphan from
Mumbai slums who experiences the biggest day in his life where he wins one crore
Indian Rupees. The plot develops with showing backdrops of life of Jamal. He attends a
popular show where he gets chance to win a million, but tragedy strikes and there is a
twist in the plot when the night before he gets arrested by the police on suspecting
cheating. Everyone being surprised at the knowledge and wits of the boy is curious as
to how a slum dweller could know so much. At this juncture the movie starts to provide
backdrops where the boy tells the story of his life in the slum where he grew up.
Narrating each bit he reveals how and why he had to learn the hard way answers to the
questions that he attempted there. He reveals his love with a girl Latika and how he lost
here, his encounter with local goons. Each phase of his life reveals one answer to the
game show’s question (Mendes, 2010). Then finally on the day of the show, he is
released by the police and he goes on to receive the prize money.
The plot develops and the director creates and retains interests by showing off
the past experience. The well connected and coordinated storyline is appreciated by
viewers. The film has high energy levels as it contains some scenes of violence and
wildness. The director reveals the suffering in the slum, orphans, organised crime,
poverty, enslavement, police and brutality to give a sense of realism to the movie. The
movie very well depicts the cruelties of the world with problems such as sadness,
lovelessness and cynicism. The transform from poverty to richness through journey of
the boy is well narrated in the story. The director turns critical when the boy loses the
love of his life and also when he gets arrested by the police. This keeps the audience in
suspense as to what will happen next. The movie has won several awards and is
regarded as a good cinematography.
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REFERENCES
Mendes, A. C. (2010). Showcasing India Unshining: Film Tourism in Danny Boyle’s
Slumdog Millionaire. Third Text, 24(4), 471-479. Accessed from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09528822.2010.491379
Metacritic. Metascore. Retrieved on 12th Nov 2018 from
https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-martian
Roy, A. (2011). Slumdog cities: Rethinking subaltern urbanism. International journal of
urban and regional research, 35(2), 223-238. Accessed from
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1468-2427.2011.01051.x
Zubrin, Dr. R. (2015, Oct 6). How scientifically accurate is the Martian? Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/06/how-scientifically-accurate-is-the-
martian
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