Before you begin these essay instructions, make sure you have watched both films carefully, using the film analysis worksheet to think critically about each one. Also, be sure to scroll all the way through these instructions before you start.

Rubric attached above 

For this assignment, you will write an in-depth critical review of at least 1500 words on Women Talking directed by Sarah Polley and Don’t Worry Darling directed by Olivia Wilde. Your review should provide analysis of each film’s portrayal of women’s roles, voices, power, and relationship to the cultural context for women historically and today. Try not to think of it as a Rotten Tomatoes type of review in which you recommend or don’t recommend, but something more complex like the review from the New York Times in Module 5.

In your review, try to address the most of the following points:

• Provide background on the film’s plot, production details, and historical context for women.
• Analyze how women are portrayed in the film through cinematography, casting, dialogue, etc. What roles and voices are they given?
• Examine how women exercise agency, empowerment, or lack thereof. What does the film say about women’s power and equality?
• Discuss the film’s commentary on gender roles, norms, biases or discrimination. How does it engage with feminist discourse?
• Situate the film within the director’s body of work and other films that offer cultural commentary on women’s experiences.
• Evaluate the film’s approach to representing women and gender issues. Is it effective? Why or why not? Use examples.
• For a comparison: Contrast how each film depicts women’s roles, voices, power. Which offers more nuance and depth in its portrayal of women?
• Provide historical context on women’s rights and representation in film to shed light on the significance of this film’s perspective.

Your review should use clear examples and proper citations to support your analysis.

Tips for Writing a Successful Review

• Start by clearly stating your thesis statement. What is your main argument about the film’s portrayal of women?
• Provide specific examples from the film to support your thesis statement.
• Analyze the film’s cinematography, casting, dialogue, and other elements to show how they contribute to the film’s portrayal of women.
• Discuss the film’s commentary on gender roles, norms, biases, and discrimination.
• Evaluate the film’s approach to representing women and gender issues. Is it effective? Why or why not?
• Conclude your review by summarizing your main points and restating your thesis statement.

Here are some materials to help you. (Ours is a little different because we are doing two films in one!) Don’t forget to also refer to the reading from Module 6!

Consider the following when preparing to write a review of a film as if you will publish it for the public to read as they decide whether or not to watch the film. In addition to the prompts below, review Duke University’s Thompson Writing Program Film ReviewLinks to an external site. guide. 

• Before watching the film, conduct research about the director, screenplay writer, the lead actors, the subjects and topics you know are included within the film, and other elements of interest to you and of importance to the film.

• While watching the film, use some of the questions provided above to analyze the film, but also develop your own perspective on the film that goes beyond the plot (i.e your analysis). Collect notes about the plot, symbolism, questions you have about historical accuracy (if relevant), the score or other musical contributions, and other images or topics that capture your attention. 

• After viewing the film, conduct research to answer the questions you have developed and begin writing your review. Keep in mind that a review does not focus on critiquing what you did not like about the film (although there is room for such evaluation), but rather, a review offers an objective consideration of what the director, actors, cinematographer, writer, and other contributors are doing as story tellers using an audio-visual medium.

The Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_film/film_writing_sample_analysis.html

 provides sample film reviews and other suggestions for this type of writing assignment. 

The following resources offer questions and insight for designing film and media analysis activities. 

• University of North Carolina Writing Center—Film Analysis  https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/film-analysis/  How do viewers make meaning of symbols used in films?      How can a viewer best engage in contextual analysis when studying a film? These and other questions are included in this film analysis guide. 

• Use Video to Stimulate Critical Thinking  https://www.commonsense.org/education/teaching-strategies/thinking-critically-about-video    This guide provides short videos and handouts for teaching and designing activities about film analysis.