LESSON 620152: RESOLUTIONS

The 'end' of the film fulfils all of the ideas we looked at in AS regarding Todorov's Narrative Structure Theory.

Equilibrium  

Disruption 

Complicating events 

Climax 

Resolution / New Equilibrium

The final sequences draw together much of what has happened previously in the film and what we know of Aileen's character and that of Selby. The resolution of the 'disruption' is the capture and trial of Aileen. The betrayal of Selby and Aileen's acceptance of it, her own final sacrifice to her love for Selby has been set up by all we have learned of Aileen - her capacity to endure; her capacity for self-sacrifice; her determination and resolve; her desperate need to be loved; perhaps even her desire for notoriety and attention.

 

What we now need to do is try to bring our understanding of the film to a conclusion as to how you feel about the characters, events and the way that the film has represented them to audiences.

 

We will watch the 'making ofs' and the documentary background in order to support how we come to this conclusion - what the film-makers were trying to do [their intention; their values and ideologies; their agendas] and the actuality of Aileen [what she says of herself; her beliefs about what she did and why].

Nick Broomfield, the documentary film-maker who spent many days interviewing Aileen for his two documentaries - the Selling of A Serial Killer and Life and Death of A Serial Killer - believes that there is a 'truth' that only a narrative fictional approach such as in MONSTER can get at when those involved are reluctant to talk about events that involved them.

 

Task:

 

[1] Assign the key events of the film to the Todorov model by creating a timeline of the film.

 

[2]  Write a 500 word evaluation of your response to the film.

For Q2 : Remember to include an analysis of the film rather than a description of its narrative. How does the film create its story? What devices are used? Consider the mise-en-scene but also think of genre and narrative devices and the expectations of audiences.

A plan might include:

• Brief introduction [look at IMDB for data]
• The style of the film - how is the story narrated [devices?] How does it fit into a genre - which features lead you to this conclusion?
• Analyse a key sequence [the meeting; a killing; the relationship; the ending]
• Why was the film successful [box office; awards; critical reception]? What you thought of it
• Conclusion