Film Review - Essay Example

Essay, Journalism, mass media and communication Topic: Film Review Introduction of the movie: Day for Night Date and Year Released: September 7, 1973 Cinematography: Pierre-William Glenn Genres: Comedy, Drama and Romance Director: Francois Truffaut Music: Georges Delerue Producer: Marcel Berbert Screen Writers: Francois Truffaut, Jean-Louis Richard, Suzanne Schiffman Soundtracks: "Grande Chorale", Georges Delerue Summary: The movie is about the trials and tribulations involved in movie-making. It is a ‘made-in-France’ venture. The runtime of the movie is 116 minutes. The important members of the cast are: Francois Truffaut, Jacqueline Bisset, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Jean-Pierre Leaud and Valentina Cortese. The movie takes a critical look to inform the watchers, that movie making is not a sweet dream, as it is initially conceived by the ones who are irresistibly drawn into that venture. The story of this movie about making a movie is humane and mysterious. Generally, a film must have a good plot, but “Day for Night”, does not own one. But all the characters are the active participants in the plot, the domain that is generally reserved for the hero, heroine and the villain in the film. The production of the movie is bogged down at every turn, the director is confronted with desperate situations and invents desperate remedies to carry on with the project, determined to take it to ‘the end!’ Various small and ancillary stories contribute to the total story of the movie. Characters The movie highlights how the ‘minor’ characters can create major problems to stall the production, unintentionally though! For example, Stacey, a supporting actress causes scheduling issues because she is expecting the baby. Alphonse refuses to go on acting after Liliance withdraws from the set with a stunt man. More complications follow when Julie makes efforts to cure Alphones’s neurosis. The performances of most of the small and big roles are brilliant; they provide the real strength to this movie, and three of them are outstanding. “Day for Night” also has dazzling presentations, but three stand out: Nathalie Baye as Joelle, Jean-Pierre Leaud as Alphonse, Valentina Cortese as the waning actress Severine. Her scene opposite Alexandre in which she can't remember her script and suggests just saying numbers is superb. She excels as the alcoholic actress. Morals This movie is for the one who loves movies and also loves life. It conveys the hardships behind moviemaking process. The director makes the viewer realize as to how hundreds of mad trains run from different directions to arrive at the final junction of the movie and the passion and meticulousness needed by the controller of those trains. Slightest detail can change the entire schedule of time-table of ‘running of trains’. The delicate genius of the director is evident in his fine handling the minor characters and how well he reads through their psychology. Apart from being an intelligently crafted film, Truffaut provides view of his own autobiographical world as well as the details of the private worlds of the actors and crew. He tells us that those involved in the movie are not mere actors, they are complex individuals. Theme The movie raises an important question regarding the significance of movies over the genuine interests of the human beings involved in the making process. Truffaut takes a dig at film-making as well as the movies themselves. He emphatically invites the viewers to take note of the fact of artificiality that has engulfed the cinema that moves farther and farther from the realities of life, in which human values get least priority. The movie is a glorious and humorous tribute to the commercial insanity of making a movie and the chaos that goes on behind the scenes. Pros versus Cons This movie can be viewed from twin perspectives of business and sociology. To make a movie of this genre, without the traditional plot is a risky business venture and there is likelihood of its turning out to be a box-office failure. The experience and imaginative skills of Truffaut has led the movie to success. By showing the behind the stage conflicts within the small and big characters of the movie, he has provided the micro-analysis of the macro version of the prevailing societal conditions. The problems of the characters become the problems of the director as he owns the final responsibility. He must also be the benefactor of the divine grace. The death of a character of the movie throws light on this intervention and how destiny plays its part at the most unsuspected moment. Conclusion The ‘plot less’ plot of the movie is believable, and Truffaut drives home the point how nothing can be taken for granted in the production process of the film. Making movie can be compared to governing a big joint family, each member owning and pursuing conflicting interests. All those who are connected with the movie, actors and technicians, are human beings first, and the director has to put up with their eccentrics and get the things moving. Backstage intrigues are more challenging than what is captured by the camera for the benefit of the viewers. The director has to strike the careful balance between the dreams of the actors and the reality that is expected by the audience and the movie market. Luck plays an important role in keeping the schedules of shooting going and the director is not always blessed with good luck. Truffaut takes the viewers to the wonderland of movie-making with astute observations on the functioning of the human mind, and even in cynical situations, he shows his awareness about his sense of humor. He proves that the insurmountable problems of reaching the screen are surmountable, provided the director has the grit and determination to challenge the situations of his isolation. Once on the screen, he receives the criticisms and salutations. References Truffaut, Francois (director). (1973). Day for Night. [Motion picture]. Alpes-Maritimes, France. Read More