Writing Critically about Film

As you have seen, films are complex texts worthy of appreciation and critical analysis. By developing your skill as an active viewer, your experience in watching films will be enriched as you become increasingly aware of directorial decisions that make films truly great.

Throughout the course, you have written several critical analysis essays. In those essays, you developed a thesis, selected and developed evidence that explores and supports your thesis, and you concluded your discussion. From an organizational standpoint, your approach to writing a critical analysis essay on film is not very different.

For the remainder of the unit, you will apply all you have learned about film study as you write a critical analysis of the film you chose in this section.

Using Film as a Literary Example in a Critical Response to Text

The significant difference in writing about print texts and writing about film lies within the evidence you discuss in your essay’s body paragraphs to support your thesis. In print texts, you focus on literary devices, such as foreshadowing and symbolism and literary elements, such as point of view and characterization.

In film, however, you can elevate your discussion to a more complex level. When using film as your literary example, you should identify and discuss how the director’s decisions around cinematic techniques illuminate and enhance the audience’s understanding of the film.