Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Dim the lights and grab some popcorn! We’re going to the movies.
This week, I’m going to talk about movie techniques and how they relate to writing. Each day I’ll be giving my opinion of popular movies. If you disagree with me, feel free to let me know! I want to hear your thoughts on the films and the techniques, too.
Here’s a little disclaimer: Some of the movies I’ll be talking about include scenes or elements I don’t like watching or that I don’t approve of, but these particular films are good examples for the ideas I’m trying to make clear. I also tried to pick films that most people have at least heard of.
Let’s start out with a winner, literally.
“Slumdog Millionaire,” in my opinion, was a fantastic film. Why did I like it? There’s no way I can cover all of the reasons, so I’ll pick the main reason. It tugged at my emotions. This emotional experience was created for me by two main elements. First, the horrific living conditions of those children in Mumbai, India. It’s real! I saw a news broadcast about how the child-actors in the film are really from Mumbai and live under tarps. Because of their participation in the film, they are being given scholarships to school and eventually college if they can stay in school until then. Sad, right? But very emotionally gripping. The tragedy of their lives pulled me into the story. I’m not sure it was a cathartic experience, but it did cause me to appreciate what blessings I have in my life.
The second element that pulled me into the “Slumdog” story is the strong relationships between the three main characters. The children are very loyal in the beginning (the two brothers and the little girl) and they fight for justice, risking everything. Later in the film, when the older brother betrays the other two, I felt the pain of it because I had seen how strong and real their relationship was in the beginning of the film. I watched the rest of the movie closely, hoping for the reconciliation moment between the three grown children. There were many “almost” moments that kept me on the edge of my seat (and kept the tears in my eyes).
Both of these elements, the strong family connection and the true-to-life setting, create a powerful emotional connection with the audience. That is something we can apply to writing. A good book will connect with the reader on an emotional level. For the reader to appreciate what is happening in the story, he has to feel as though he is a part of the book. I know the best books I’ve ever read have been the ones that swept me out of my world and plopped me into the characters’ world.
“Rainman” is also a good example of the same elements that I saw in “Slumdog Millionaire.” The two brothers have a real-life tragic situation to deal with–the one brother is an idiot-savant (a disability). This disability hurts the tie between the two brothers because the healthy brother resents having to care for his disabled brother. His loyalty to his disabled brother grows as the story progresses. He starts to understand the love he has for his brother, despite the disability. The story contains the pathos and the strong family ties (both of the elements found in “Slumdog”) that play on the emotions of the viewer and draw him or her into the story. A strong emotional connection is the perfect way to draw the audience into a story, whether it’s written or on film.
Your turn! 🙂 What books or movies have you read/seen that do this really well? Are they some of your favorites? Did you like “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Rainman”? Why?
Haven’t seen Slumdog yet–looking forward to it. Right now I’m re-reading The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogel. He talks about lots of movies which utilize the classic hero’s journey theme, including two of my all-time favorites, The Wizard of Oz and Witness. I’ve watched both many times, but it’s a revelation to see the hero theme carried out by both, and to discover the symbolism. So cool, and very inspiring as I work on my third book.
Back in the dark ages well before you were born, I saw “Heaven Can Wait,” and as the credits rolled wished I had written it–because of the laughing cleverness and the subtle tricks the screenwriters pulled off to tie up their story in a neat ending.
I’m not so moved by it 31 years later . . . 🙂
Emotionally, “Hotel Rwanda” had me in its grip from the beginning to the end. Tears began rolling down my cheeks within minutes and I cried through the entire film. That had never happened before. And I left full of righteous anger.
OH sweet. I love the movies. Since I started writing, movies take on a different meaning now. I watch them from a writers viewpoint.
I haven’t seen Slumdog, but have heard nothing but rave reviews. I’ll have to catch it on DVD to see what the hype is about. 🙂
For recent movies or books wrenching my gut…I can’t name a movie right now, just because I’ve been reading a lot more recently than watching movies….
Shade, by John B Olson. His imagry sent my heart pounding several times. I was immediately invested in his two main characters! And that’s something I crave in what I read and what I watch.
The story was a bit scary, yet touching when it came to the romance between the two characters. And I’m not sure he even intended there to be romance. But I saw it tucked away in there. **smile**
Great topic today, I’ll be back to see what others have to say.
I think one of the movies that truly pulls at my emotional strings is “Steel Magnolias.” The strength that group of women has for each other and their families is something I really connect with. They are constantlythere for each other during both good and bad times. But I also think it’s a wonderful testament to the love of a parent for a child. Every time I see it, I ALWAYS cry at the funeral…ALWAYS! It’s wonderful.
~Anngela Schroeder
http://www.at-last-aschroeder.blogspot.com
Titanic. That movie moved me emotionally. That love story was so vivid and so real! It made me cry. Of course, since I’m an author of romance novels, I would have made the ending COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!
Secret Life of Bees. I loved the book and surprising, loved the movie as well. The deep connections of the women made this a stand-out for me, especially the mother-love, nurturing aspect– the shielding one another from deep hurts of the world.
Another film that uses deep emotional character ties is the old (almost classic) Moonstruck. Every time I watch it, I want to go back to visit New York and I long for the Italian family I’m sure I should’ve had.
Anngela, Oh yeah, Steel Magnolias. That’s a tear jerker.
It made me think of another. “Walk to Remember.”
Yeah, and FireProof. Ok, yeah, the acting wasn’t so great, but the message was amazing. Kinda reminds me of a book that isn’t so wonderfully written, but it still yanks at my heart strings… 🙂
Frida, in which Salma Hayek gives a fierce portrayal of the artist Frida Kahlo, packed an emotional punch for me. Even though Frida saw life in vivid reds and yellows, she was in severe physical pain all of her life as a result of a streetcar accident when she was a teen; then she was passionately in love with the tumultuous muralist Diego Rivera. Enough to make one cry in her popcorn–which I did. The story is told beautifully and powerfully.
Ooo, these are all so good. Another film just came to mind for me, I Am Sam. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to watch that movie again because I cried so much!
Also, Life is Beautiful. A great movie with A LOT of emotional connection.
I just watched Slumdog Millionaire the other night so I’m right there with you. Great movie.
This post has some excellent insights into plot anatomy. Very educational. Thanks for posting!
My favorite movie of all time (it’s pretty old now!) is Lady Jane starring Helena Bonham Carter. I drench tissues by the end of that movie … “The soul takes flight to the world that is invisible.” She and her husband came from such power-hungry, emotionally-vacant families. Their relationship is a wonderfully surprising gift. Not to mention that her faith is an inspiration. It only makes it better that it’s based on a true story.
Braveheart was amazing. So was Patriot. One of the best films I’ve seen is The Untouchables, with Sean Connery and Kevin Costner. So amazing. And then, my favorite-of-favorite movies, Somewhere in Time.