Racism and the Value of Justice in To Kill a Mockingbird - Movie Review Example

?Racism and the Value of Justice in To Kill a Mockingbird QUESTIONS TO ANSWER FOR FILM REPORTS What is the film about and does it have a theme? Ifso, where do we first sense that theme developing? What methods are employed to emphasize this theme? To Kill a Mockingbird is one of America’s classic films portraying one of the country’s most controversial issues, Racism. The film shows the American society and justice system during the early year of the Civil Movement wherein both Blacks and Whites faced the challenges of overcoming their racial barriers (Ebert para. 1). Further, in analyzing the characters in the film, one can say that there is no such thing as good or evil; instead, people are “shades of gray” wherein our reactions, whether good, or bad, are responses to the circumstances happening around us. Relatively, it is our decisions that shape our intentions in life, regardless of racial and socioeconomic differences. This idea is shown through the characters of Boo Radley, Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Violet Ewell. Specifically, the theme is most noticeable during the courtroom scene wherein Atticus Finch, a White lawyer, defends Robinson, a Negro man, against the accusations of Violet Ewell, a White young lady. Towards the end of the film, Radley emerges as another significant and controversial character, and this is because he killed Bob Ewell, Violet’s father. 2) What were the choices made by the main characters and what were the consequences of those choices? The most interesting characters in the film are Atticus and Radley because their decisions create interesting ideas about what the film really means in relation to Racism, crime and the American justice system. For instance, Atticus’ decision in defending Tom Robinson negates the stereotypical notions about the antagonism between Blacks and Whites. Specifically, Atticus’ character signifies the objective American who values facts more than anything else in the courtroom. However, Atticus’ decisions and principles go against the verdict of the jury, who still dwell in their prejudiced notions about Blacks. Radley is another interesting character because of his strange involvement in the Violet Ewell vs. Robinson trial. For instance, one can become curious about Radley’s true intention of killing Violet’s father, who had forcibly pushed Robinson to plead guilty to the rape case. In this case, one can ask “Is killing an alternative to justice?” In analyzing Radley’s character, one can say that he signifies the persona of a radical American who aspires for change in society, a chance that even a qualified lawyer like Atticus cannot achieve through his legal and formal courtroom rules. Relatively, although Radley emerges only in the last part of the film, his role in the film is as significant as Atticus’, and this is because of the diversion he brings to the film, which also creates new perceptions about the film, in general. 3) What three or four sequences are most important in the film? Why? Although the story is a narration, the plot of the film follows the chronological order of events wherein viewers see the sequential interplay of scenes. The three most significant scenes in the film are the projection of the innocent Alabama life, in the first part of the film, the courtroom scene, and the death of Bob Ewell. The first scenes of the film introduce the viewers to carefree, innocent life of Alabama, particularly with the Finch kids. However, as the narrator said, their carefree life was only the superficial aspect of reality during those times, considering the Depression that struck most people in the American continent. Further, the courtroom drama shows the social and political issues in American during those times, particularly concerning the prejudicial jury and stereotyping of the Negroes as criminals and untrustworthy. Lastly, the death of Bob Ewell signifies another interesting topic in the film, which is about the intentions and motivations in committing a crime. 4) Did the ?lm surprise you with anything unusual in its story, style, technique, or implications? The context of the film, as well as the novel on which it is based, is the Civil Rights Movement, and it bears similarities with the Scottsboro Trials concerning the same issue of rape set in the backdrop of the American economic recession during the 1930s (Johnson 15). As a classic film, To Kill a Mockingbird touches significant issues about the American society including Racism, which affects the objectivity of America’s justice system at that time. In retrospect, the implications of the film range from being political, social, and, at some points, psychological. For instance, in the courtroom scene, it is evident that the film projects the gap between the Whites and Blacks, particularly in their access to justice. The conviction of Robinson illustrates the consequences of Racism wherein people either continue to be blinded by social standards, or choose to disregard the objectivity for fear of becoming socially acceptable. In this case, one can say that social standards come between what is the right thing to do and what is the socially acceptable thing to do. 5) Were any particular ?lm techniques used in key scenes? How did the film techniques and music enhance the setting and themes of the ?lm? Provide speci?c details and explanations. In the film, the significance of the events and characters comes out of Mulligans appropriate handling of the music, particularly in adding minimal film editing techniques. According to Armstrong, Mulligan develops the film through gradual transition of events, as well as from emphasizing the results of the decisions of the characters (paras. 1-4). For instance, Atticus’ acceptance of the Ewell vs. Robinson case leads to a range of events including the courtroom scene. The use of black and white resolution of the film is also remarkable technique used by Mulligan to emphasize the narration aspect of the film, particularly through the recollection of Scout about her childhood experiences. Further, the black and white technique also gives weight to the historical context of the film, which is the early year of postwar America. Aside from this technique, the use of irony plays a vital role in highlighting the themes, characters, and events in the film. For instance, in the first scenes of the film, the irony between the happy and innocent life of the Finch children is a stark contrast to the struggling people affected by the Depression. Further, the courtroom scene also projects the differences of American ideologies as signified by Atticus, the objective one, and the jury, who are blinded by their prejudice against Negroes. 6) Who directed the film? Does the director have a particularly distinct style? Would you recognize his work in other ?lms? What does the director's style reveal about him? To Kill a Mockingbird was released under the direction of Robert Mulligan, an amateur, American director in the 1960s. The film is based on a novel written by Harper Lee with the same title. Through the movie, one can say that Mulligan has a knack at presenting social issues without becoming overly dramatic. Instead, Mulligan shows such issues through the perspectives of three children who do not have any background and prejudices about the issue yet. This technique also gives viewers the chance to see the issue in different points-of-view. Holistically, one can say that Mulligan’s trademark in film direction lies in his pastiche-like presentation of events such as the chronological events in To Kill a Mockingbird. Works Cited Armstrong, Richard. “On To Kill a Mockingbird.” The Film Journal 11.Jan (2005): n.pag. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. . Ebert, Roger. “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago Sun-Times, 11 Nov. 2001. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. . Johnson, Claudia Durst. Understanding to Kill a Mockingbird: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historic Documents. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1994. Print. Read More