A Comparative Analysis: Identity and Split on Psychological Disorders

This essay provides a comparative analysis of James Mangold's 'Identity' and M. Night Shyamalan's 'Split', focusing on how both films explore the detrimental effects of psychological disorders, specifically Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), on the protagonists' lives and their relationships with others. The essay examines the directors' use of characterization, symbolism, camera work, acting, and editing to convey the protagonists' mental distress and the impact of their disorders. It highlights the significance of setting in establishing the confined spaces that reflect the characters' internal struggles. The essay discusses how both films use film techniques to evoke a sense of unease and discomfort in the audience, emphasizing the harmful consequences of DID on individuals and society. The essay references key aspects of the films such as the camera work, acting performances, and editing choices, drawing on the provided references to support its arguments. Ultimately, the essay demonstrates how both directors, despite employing different styles, effectively communicate the damaging effects of psychological disorders through their respective films.

Running head: ENGLISH ESSAY
English Essay
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Authors Note:

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ENGLISH ESSAY
Characterisation:
Characterization of Malcom Rivers awaiting execution in Identity has clearly depicted the
vicious spell of murders that the antagonist of the film had carried out. The characterization of 10
strangers who arrived at an isolated location have been sketched brilliantly by the James
Mangold in the film.
Manoj Night Shyamalan on the other hand in his 2016 directorial Split has brilliantly captured
the 24 different personality traits of the lead in the film. The characterization of 24 different
personalities in a single person was extremely difficult however, M. Night Shyamalan has done
an exceptional job to characterize the different roles of actors in the film including the lead who
suffered from personality splits with 24 different personalities (Brouwer, 2017).
Symbolism:
The camera work of both the directors in the respective films, i.e. in Splits and Identify have
been executional. Especially, the camera angles used to show the kidnaps conducted by Kevin,
the antagonist in the film who suffers from personality disorder. Further the use of different
lights to enhance the presence of 24 different personalities of Kevin in the movie by M. Night
Shymalan is exceptional.
James Mangold on the other has beautifully captured the fear of the 10 strangers when
confronted with the presence of Malcom Rivers. The beautiful use of camera angles to instil fear
in the minds of the audience was only possible due to the effective use of lights camera and
sound. The background score used by the director during the arrival of 10 strangers at the
isolated hotel was chilling and instils fear in the minds of the audience (Noel, 2017).
Acting:

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ENGLISH ESSAY
John Cusack played the role of a convict of several serious murders in Identity. He was just
brilliant in the movie with his chilling display of a convict with serious personality disorder.
Apart from the lead, i.e. John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Clea Duvall and Alfred Molina
have provided realistic performances on their respective roles in the film.
James McAvoy has acted brilliantly to perform his role to the core along with Anya Taylor-Joy
and Betty Buckley. All of the supporting casts have performed their roles precisely to say the
least. The direction of M. Night Shyamalan is also to be praised for the dramatic use of
background score to make the split personalities of the antagonist realistic and believable (Hee
Sun Shin, 2018).
Editing:
Split edited by Luke Chiarrocchi is a modern day work with brilliant use of editing has made its
way to the hearts of the audience from the day the film was released. However, with the film
running into 117 minutes, it is bit long and could have been edited better to reduce its running
time.
Split on the other hand edited by David Brenner is a modern day master piece when it comes to
editing. Despite being only a 90 minutes film, Split has been able to show each and every aspect
of the movie including the presence and importance of 10 strangers arriving at an isolated hotel.

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ENGLISH ESSAY
References:
Brouwer, D. (2017). The use of a very wide-angle camera for catalogue work. The Astronomical
Journal, 72(1-2), p.228.
Hee Sun Shin (2018). A Case Study About Conflicts in the Movie as the Text of Negotiation
Education, with Dilemmas in the Movie ‘All About My Wife’. Ratio et Oratio, 9(4), pp.309349.
Noel, D. (2017). Signs of Love in Our Culture of Belief?Signs. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
, Screenplay by M. Night Shyamalan . In video/DVD. The San Francisco Jung Institute Library
Journal, 24(4), pp.85-90.