Film Analysis of Order and Chaos
Hollywood Old and New
York University
FILM 1701
Herman Chi Hung Yu
211501715
Tutorial 4
Films of the Hollywood genres express elements of ‘order’ and ‘chaos’ using different filmic elements in the movies. The films that will be analyzed are a pair of film noirs, The Big Sleep(1946) and Polanski’s Chinatown(1974).
The way the films portray the elements of order and chaos is mainly through the characters. The way the characters are portrayed in the film gives the audience clues as to which characters represent which side. Other elements such as narrative elements, lighting and camera angles were used to further emphasize that something good or bad is currently or going to happen.
Characters are usually the most noticeable element in a film that can help express order and chaos. Beginning with the main character, Jake Gittes, from the movie Chinatown, it is obvious that this character will represent order. The main goal that this character wants to achieve is, justice, as he hates how crimes are left alone. The way the narrative structure is set in this film, shows how he is that type of character; as he works hard to help, and goes through many obstacles without backing down. The structure is used to develop his personality because he is constantly trying to connect the clues but since Evelyn, the female protagonist, doesn’t let out all the important information, makes him even more anxious to solve. The character to represent chaos will be Noah Cross. The way that he is portrayed at the beginning of the movie, shows he is a round character. He appears friendly but is evil deep down. Even when Gittes was questioning Cross, and revealing his evidence, Cross answered the questions calml...
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... conversation with Vivian, where she would tell him more information, it would always lead to him questioning about her. An example in the film is, at the restaurant just before the casino scene, Marlowe asks, “Why does it bother you so much? What does Eddie Mars got on you?”(Hawk, 1946) and she becomes quiet and expressionless, this shows how she is definitely hiding something which gives chaos to Marlowe. This is a very similar chaos to Chinatown.
In Conclusion both movies reveal many contents that arose in order and chaos using the major film elements. Through the film analysis it revealed which characters represented which side and also the formal elements that helped guide through the process of coming up with the conclusion.
Work Cited
“Why does it bother you so much? What does Eddie Mars got on you?”
The Big Sleep. Dir. Howard Hawks. Warner Bros., 1946
In conclusion, details involving the characters and symbolic meanings to objects are the factors that make the novel better than the movie. Leaving out aspects of the novel limits the viewer’s appreciation for the story. One may favor the film over the novel or vice versa, but that person will not overlook the intense work that went into the making of both. The film and novel have their similarities and differences, but both effectively communicate their meaning to the public.
With the loss of its centralized structure, the film industry produced filmmakers with radical new ideas. The unique nature of these films was a product of the loss of unified identity.
While there are many different ways to classify a Neo-noir film, Roman Polanski’s, Chinatown captures many. The 1974 movie consists of many of these elements, including both thematic and stylistic devices. One of the main themes of neo-noir film that is constant throughout the film is the deceptive plot that questions the viewers’ ideas and perceptions of what is actually happening in the film. Every scene of Chinatown leads to a twist or another turn that challenges the practicability of the film’s reality. All of the never-ending surprises and revelations lead up to the significant themes the movie is trying to convey in the conclusion of the film.
To conclude comparing/contrasting the short story to the film is that there were many changes between these two. The main ideas of the short story and the film are the same but the little changes from the short story to the film are much better and make it more interesting to watch. Overall they were both cliffhangers and had many twists and turns but to finish it off the film was better with the changes.
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had shown the similarity and difference of the endings in these two masterpieces, and how they
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To conclude that both movies have own special traits that attract a lot of audience to watch these movies even though in these movies have contained violence and sexuality scene that seemly not suitable for children to watch. Furthermore, I’m really thought that both movies are good suggestions to entertain people during free time as both are very interesting and nice to watch.
Each element helps each other by making the next scene better than the one before. It has the storyline come to live, and having people thinking what can happen next or who has the power in the movie. By seeing this movie it can make someone feel complete and satisfied for a long time.
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...verything around us is made by our actions. Positive or negative they cause an effect that will ultimately lead to a different story base on how we interpret life. Narrative elements are used as a bridge by the directors in their film to create any master plot that is currently known. Any modification at any narrative element used by the director at important moments inside the story can help you portray a different master plot. This used of narrative elements can be best described as an ever changing process that takes place inside an individual’s head. Depending on the individual that may be exposed to those narrative elements can create different meanings. This new interpretation can be different for everyone. We have to be aware that one change in the surface scenery can lead to many ideal outcomes in our minds and that is the main power the audience has.
Kagan, Norman. The Cinema of Stanley Kubrick. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1972. Print.
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