Essay

Assignment Sheet for Film Review Essay

For most of us, movies are mostly a form of entertainment. We go to the theater to escape from

our daily lives rather than to be intellectually stimulated, but movies can do both. We can be both

entertained and challenged at the same time.

Assignment:

Analyze – and potentially critique – a film of your choosing. Rather than simply choosing your

favorite movie or one that is currently popular, you should select your film with care. In order for

the essay to be successful, you should choose a movie that has some artistic merit and that aims

to provide more than light, mindless entertainment.

General Guidelines:

A good film review provides the writer’s critical assessment of the success/failure and

effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the film. Your essay should not be a summary of the film. You

should evaluate the way in which cinematic elements (e.g., acting, directing, cinematography,

editing, special effects, the soundtrack, etc.) either contribute to or detract from the overall

production and the plot. Any claims made in the essay must be supported with evidence drawn

directly from the film.

Requirements:

The essay’s assigned length is 1000-1200 words. Be sure that all margins measure 1 inch and

that you use the Times New Roman 12 point font. You should also follow MLA formatting

guidelines regarding heading, page numbering, etc.