Film Analysis

Examine two of the films, “The Godfather pt 2” and “The Wrestler” and write an essay focused on the following question: What are the differences in acting styles between two actors? The films in this section offer complex plots and fine-grained characterizations by actors who have different backgrounds and training. This module introduced method acting and the success of the method actor often depends upon realism in the story, dialog, details, motivation and the arc of the character. Here are some possibilities:

1. You may base part of your essay on the method actor you covered in your M5 Discussion or you may select another method actor from a different film. Then you must compare the method actor to another actor in a different film who is not known as a method actor.

2. You might compare a British actor and an American actor, or a French actor and an American actor, or an Indian actor to a British actor. There are many other permutations and combinations.

3. You could compare two actors playing the same part (e.g. John Wayne and Jeff Bridges in True Grit or Sissy Spacek and Chloe Grace Moretz in Carrie or Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert Redford in The Great Gatsby).

4. There are so many articles comparing Jack Nicholson’s Joker in 1989’s Batman directed by Tim Burton with Heath Ledger’s performance in The Dark Knight (2008) directed by Christopher Nolan that we will limit the grade to a maximum of 89% for anyone who chooses that comparison. While we’re on the subject of superhero movies, please refrain from comparing actors in Spider-Man or any other films based upon Marvel or DC Comics. Many actors resist the temptation for big money because these films do not provide an opportunity for important or meaningful acting performances. The same rules apply. You cannot receive an A if you choose any of these films as your option.

5. If you just can’t find a film on the list for this module or in a previous module to compare, you may select a film of your own choosing. Please clear your choice with me if you select a film not on any lists for this course.

6. Read my announcement titled “M5 Film Selections” for more examples.

7. Look at the lists again. If you’ve seen all of those movies, then it makes sense to select one you haven’t seen. There are real chestnuts among the ones listed. Most of them took the world by storm when they were released. You could look at them historically or historicize the performance itself. Cinematic art reflects the age in which it is set and created even in our own era.

Please don’t dwell on summarizing the story, but you may consider the interplay of script-based character development and acting technique. You may research the actors’ respective training and preparation, examine aspects of their performance (e.g., facial expressions, physical movement, soliloquies, dialogue, two-character or ensemble scenes) but your main focus should be on your description and perception of their characterization in the film. If you just say “the actor’s facial expressions and body movements helped to create the character of the policeman,” you will not fulfill the prompt. You need to provide specific details that you have observed while watching the film. Look at specific scenes and tell us about those moments that reveal how the actor convincingly portrays a character with emotional impact, purpose, reaction and motivation. You may also select a film of your choosing if you clear it with the instructor. Please avoid extensively summarizing the plot at the expense of analyzing the actor’s performance. You must put the word count on your essay under your name (600-800 words). Give your essay a title and italicize titles throughout. Organize your essay with an introduction, topical paragraphs and conclusion.