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Sample III. In watermelon sugar. How to write a film review. Brautigan’s highly inventive novella “in watermelon sugar” was written in 1964
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Sample III
IN WATERMELON SUGAR
By Richard Brautigan
Brautigan’s highly inventive novella “In Watermelon Sugar” was written in 1964. It’s his third prose book and further established Brautigan’s reputation amongst young readers who were challenging traditional ways of thinking at the height of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. When he started writing the book, Brautigan was living in the small coastal Californian village of Bolinas. He used the communal, back-to-nature values of Bolinas as the basis of his post-apocalyptic town of iDEATH. The narrator remains un-named throughout the book, and through his first person account, we hear the story of the people and the events of iDEATH. The central tension is created by Margaret, once a lover of the narrator, and inBOIL, a rebellious man who has left iDEATH to live near a forbidden area called the Forgotten Works. It is a huge trash heap where the remnants of a former civilization lie abandoned in great piles. Margaret, a collector of such 'forgotten' things, is friendly with inBOIL and later suspected of 'conspiring' with him, although the exact nature of the conspiracy is never revealed. In the violent climax of the novel, inBOIL returns to the community along with a handful of followers, and commits suicide by cutting himself to death saying " I am iDEATH. " showing the residents what iDEATH really is.
The plot, on the whole, can be difficult to follow, because it’s so dream-like, with every day bringing a different colored sun, for example. Another example is how the narrator claims his parents were eaten by tigers that may possibly have been intelligent like humans. It’s definitely written in a way that invites interpretation, so it will likely help your case to interpret the plot a bit and come to a conclusion on your own whether each event is metaphorical or literal.
This novella is far from messy, to my mind, so I will give it 4 points out of 5. It’s carefully crafted and represents an important transitional text with some hints of poetry. The overall feeling is sadness and loss, the book makes you ache for things and people you don’t know. I’m pretty sure I’ll reread this one once again.
This book is not for too rational people who dislike symbolism, fantasy or fairytales. To all the others I say: you won’t regret visiting ‘watermelon sugar’!
HOW TO WRITE A FILM REVIEW
In your film review you are supposed to cover the following issues:
1. Where and when is the film set?
2. Who are the main characters and who are they played by? (Are the actors realistic? Do you think some particular actor was the right fit for the role? Do they portray the role of a specific character successfully? )
3. What is it about? Summarize the movie.
4. What is the most memorable scene? Analyze the plot elements (rising action, climax)
5. What makes it so powerful / moving /dramatic? What creative elements are included into the film? How important are these elements (costumes, colors, sound effects, camera movements, symbols) to the plot and movie in general?
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6. What is the message of the film?
7. Evaluation. Would you recommend it to watch and why?
Sample I
La La Land
By Damien Chazelle
La La Land is a lovely, touching romantic musical set in present-day Los Angeles, with a tinge of old-time Hollywood. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film stars Ryan Gosling as a jazz pianist and Emma Stone as an aspiring actress (Sebastian and Mia), who meet and fall in love while pursuing their dreams of stardom. The key messages being those of love, affinity, honesty and following your dreams, the film also tackles some social and psychological issues such as underemployment, feeling lost in the early years of your career, doubting your abilities, and trying to live in the now while focusing on your future.
The plot revolves around the ebbs and flows in the careers of both characters as they chase their dreams. In the beginning, fate seems to favour Sebastian who is invited to be the keyboardist in a jazz fusion band. The band is a success, but Mia knows that this is not the type of music Sebastian has always wanted to perform. Unlike Sebastian, luck turns its back on Mia as she fails all her auditions. To crown it all, her one-woman play is unsuccessful. She pours all her rage and frustration on Sebastian who accuses her of being jealous of his success. The couple end up parting and Mia decides to go back to her home town. After a few plot twists, though, they reunite and Mia leaves for Europe for her first big role. But the characters are unable to maintain their relationship.
The final scene of the film is beyond doubt one the most powerful episodes. Noticing Mia and her husband in his jazz club, Sebastian begins to play their love theme on the piano. A dream sequence unfolds in which the two imagine what might have been had their relationship thrived alongside their careers. Mia shares a smile with Sebastian, then leaves with her husband. It is clear to the viewer that they never stopped loving each other.
Although there is no classical happy ending, the final impression the film produces on the reader is positive. It is definitely to the film advantage that the filmmakers chose not to end it in a cliche way. Chazelle pays his compliment to the Hollywood industry of mid fifties of the previous century. At the same time, the film gives off nostalgic vibes of the 1920s, with vibrant colored costumes and passionate jazz music. Stone’s brightly colored flowy dresses give the movie a warm, familiar feeling and radiate a classic Jackie O style.
As for the leading actors, they seem to be perfectly cast for their roles. Both are good dancers. There is a kind of sparkle between them, real " chemistry", that makes them an ideal cinematographic " couple". Stone's radiating huge doe eyes and Gosling's sardonic smile, which are their calling cards, add depth to the characters.
In addition to its innumerable merits, the film is worth watching because it's a real jazz story. It's a tribute to the most glorious times of Hollywood and is sure to produce a lasting impression on the viewer.
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