Film Analysis Essay
Introduction:
Your last major writing assignment in this course will be a film analysis essay. Students are required to select a film (from list provided below) and: a) view the film; b) consider the film as it relates to particular themes; c) explain the themes of the film based on the genre, imagery, characters and their arcs, plot structure, symbolism, historical/cultural analysis, setting(s), the dialogue (spoken and unspoken), and breaking down specific scenes.
Your thesis should break down what the themes are and what the film expects of audiences considering said themes.
Example: The Devil Wears Prada deals with themes of change, the boundaries of sacrifice, and how far one goes before losing oneself and asks the audience if there are instances where such sacrifice and drastic change are justified.
Remember, this is an analysis of the film–do not turn in an essay detailing why you “liked” or “disliked” the movie. It requires a deeper examination of the text, the scenes as they are portrayed, and the larger presentation choices made by the director.
Tips:
Watch the movie (multiple times if possible)
Watch with subtitles to catch the dialogue.
Take notes detailing: major characters and their arcs, major set pieces, major scenes, the plot structure, recurring symbols, and other important details.
You will not simply watch a film and give opinions. Be sure to prove your claims with evidence from the text and interpret the film critically.
Essay Requirements:
4-5 pages (not including work cited)
MLA format (Times New Roman, 12-point font, etc.)
In-Text Citations and Work Cited page.
3-4 sources minimum; quotes from primary texts and secondary sources
— movie is Encanto directed by Jared Bush and Bryon Howard, on Disney+
