Critical Analysis of a Film Review

Halvorsen

Composition 201

Essay #2: Critical Film Analysis 1

For this assignment, choose a film that you can watch and study repeatedly (i.e. one you own or

can rent) and analyze it using one of the six approaches discussed in Chapter 4 of A Short Guide

to Writing About Film. Specifically, you can analyze the film’s historical context, cultural or

national character, genre, directorial style (auteur criticism), formal elements, or ideology.

A critical analysis of a film differs in several respects from a review. The critical analysis

appeals to students or aficionados of film with background knowledge about the medium. As a

result, the critical analysis is more scholarly in tone than the review, and includes some

background research beyond casual viewing. A critical analysis has a clear thesis statement

supported with numerous details, careful analysis, and presented with a logical organization.

Since readers of critical analyses often know the plot of the film already, a plot summary is not

required, and if necessary, should be kept to a minimum. The critical analysis may concentrate

on only one portion or sequence in the film and explore it fully. Finally, since the focus of the

critical analysis is on a specific element of film composition, you should avoid overall

evaluations based on personal taste.

In essence, your essay should, through careful analysis of your chosen film using one of the six

approaches, highlight an important aspect of the film and identify to readers the importance of

this aspect. As a result, your readers should want to go back to the film and explore the ideas you

examine on their own.

Minimum requirements: Your essay should be 5-7 double spaced, typed pages (not including the

Works Cited) with one inch margins; use 12 pt. Times New Roman font; use MLA

documentation style; and include a Works Cited page. While there is no minimum required

number of sources, keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of formal writing is

establishing your credibility and expertise to your readers. One of the best methods to achieve

this credibility (aside from proper language usage) is to illustrate your knowledge and research

through in-text citations of credible/authoritative sources. In general, you should have about the

same number of outside sources as you have page numbers. Since the film you examine will be

your primary source of information, you need to cite it on the Works Cited page but you do not

need in text citations for quotes/paraphrases/summaries from the film if the source is clear from

the context.

For the due dates of your draft and final draft, consult your course schedule. Submit your draft(s)

as .doc or .docx files to the course D2L Dropbox.