Thematic Elements

1
Thematic Elements

• Theme and Focus

2
Theme

• An idea, the central idea, the point, the
  message, or the statement made by the work as a
  whole
• or
• The unifying central concern of the film, the
  special focus that unifies the work

3
The Filmmakers Focus

• Focus on Plot
• Focus on Emotional Effect or Mood
• Focus on Character
• Focus on Style or Texture or Structure
• Focus on Ideas

4
Focus on Plot

• The picture focuses primarily on what happens.
• Typical of adventure stories and detective
  stories
• Generally a fast-paced film that intends to serve
  as an escape for viewers
• Characters, ideas, and emotional effects play
  subordinate role to events and the final outcome
• Typically simple theme

5
Focus on Emotional Effect or Mood

• The film often carries a single mood that
  prevails throughout
• Typical of horror films or romantic pictures
• Plot may be important, however, subordinate to
  the emotional response it evokes

6
Focus on Character

• Films intent is to help us understand a character
  being developed
• Plot is used to help us understand this person
• Theme comes from the character and the unusual
  aspects of his/her personality

7
Focus on Style, Texture, or Structure

• A unique film approach
• The movies story become memorable because of the
  focus on a unique look, feel, rhythm, atmosphere,
  tone, or organization
• Often requires multiple viewings
• If done well, can be unforgettable

8
Focus on Ideas

• Typical of serious, message films
• Action and characters have significance beyond
  context of the film
• Films that deal with jealousy, injustice,
  prejudice

9
Breaking Down a focus on ideas

• Moral Implications
• The Truth of Human Nature
• Social Problems
• The Struggle for Human Dignity
• The Complexity of Human Relationships
• Coming of Age/Loss of Innocence
• A Moral or Philosophical Riddle

10
Moral Implications

• Films that intend to make a moral statement
• Hope we apply the principle to our own lives
• A bit rare in modern films

11
The Truth of Human Nature

• These films go beyond character or plot
• Meant to illustrate a truth about the way we are
  as a people (good or bad)
• Think Lord of the Flies

12
Social Problems

• The underlying purpose is to create social reform
• The define the problem and emphasize its
  importance
• Often focuses blame on social institutions (the
  government, big business), in addition to people
• Think Do the Right Thing or Dead Man Walking

13
The Struggle for Human Dignity

• Usually focuses on characters
• who are dealt an unfair hand
• and rise above these
• tremendous odds.
• Character struggles against some dehumanizing
  force, system, or institution. The internal
  conflict is often strong as well.
• Think The Insider, Cinderella Man or Schindlers
  List

14
The Complexity of Human Relationships

• These films focus on the problems, frustrations,
  pleasures, and joys of human relationships
• Deal with topics of love, friendship, sex,
  marriage, divorce, etc.
• Think When Harry Met Sally or Terms of Endearment

15
Coming of Age/Loss of Innocence

• Films usually about young people growing up,
  losing their innocence
• Can be treated in a number of ways seriously,
  comically, tragically
• Characters change becomes the focus of the film
• Think Sixteen Candles or Almost Famous

16
A Moral or Philosophical Riddle

• Film intends to present questions, rather than
  answers
• Communicates often through symbols or images
• Analysis is required to gain insight
• Think Fight Club or Being John Malkovich