State a reaction toa film recently playing in local thearters

Critical Paper (Assignment & Example) Assignment

Write a two or three page paper in which you:

(1) state your reaction to a film that’s currently playing in our local theaters (not a video);

(2) analyze why you arrived at this conclusion about the film; and,

(3) give specific and detailed examples to support your conclusions.

Assume the audience for this paper is other students not in this class. Explain to them how you felt about the film; supply them with examples from the film which support your reactions. This is not a summary of the film.

Suggestions

As you watch the film in the theater, think about why the movie is working for you or not. On the negative side, why didn’t you like it? Did the film distance you at some particular moment? Did the main character suddenly do something you didn’t like? Did he or she say something stupid? Did you know what was going to happen at that moment? Was the solution to some problem in the film too convenient — perhaps solved by coincidence? Was the photography so beautiful that it called attention to itself and popped you out of your suspension of disbelief?Did the sound track overwhelm the story? Did the film’s theme push you away from it? In other words, what was it that made you dislike the movie?

On the positive side, why did you like it? Were the performances especially believable? Was the story particularly involving? Did you relate to the film’s theme in any particular way? Did it grab you emotionally? Did it make you laugh? In other words, what was it that made you like the movie?

Then try to formulate a thesis for your paper (the thesis statement for this paper is a kind of contract with your reader that says, “If you read this paper, you will know WHY I liked — or disliked — this movie.” It contains two parts: 1) whether you liked it or not; and, 2) why you ended up feeling that way.

Organization

Introduction: (about one paragraph) — It should name the film, very briefly mention the story line in the film (i.e., “what happens”/plot) as well as the theme (“what it’s about”), and then arrive at a thesis statement which includes your reaction to the film and a general statement of why you came to that conclusion.

Body: (about 4-5 paragraphs) — These paragraphs illustrate why you came to your conclusions with specific and detailed examples. In certain cases, your criteria for judgment in a particular area may need to be defined.

Conclusion: (about one paragraph) — This paragraph should summarize and restate your thesis, perhaps including a recommendation for your audience to see or not see the film.