12
It’s amazing that this movie can be so enthralling when most of it takes place in one room and over a short period of time; the setting is so limited, and yet it is a fascinating film. The development of the characters is what makes the film so good.
The characters make the film intriguing because they are so diverse; and they change. The director uses a number of close-ups to emphasize the significance of what each jury member says and to juxtapose their unique outlooks on the case. It’s interesting how the opposition of the two most outspoken jury members influences the others so much. The director develops each member of the jury one by one as each explains his background and viewpoint. The responses to each viewpoint are so diverse as well, ranging from lashing out in anger to considering calmly and even agreeing with it. All of these things bring the film alive and draw the viewers into it.
Another way the director makes the development of the characters intriguing is through their language. The different members of the jury speak with so much emotion when their opinions are challenged, some with anger, others with love. The large range of volume, intellect, and intense feelings expressed in the language of the characters forces the audience to take the film seriously and pick a side themselves. If at first the viewers are led to think that the court decision is meaningless and obvious by the nonchalant words of the jury members, later on when the argument escalates through emotional and aggressive words the decision becomes a responsible, life-or-death choice.
Perhaps the most interesting character though is the boy himself. He, in fact, is the reason for everything that happens in the movie, and yet he hardly says a word the whole time. The director builds interest in the boy as a vital character by periodically showing him, either in prison or in flashbacks from his childhood. An especially effective flashback is when the boy dances for the soldiers. This short clip from his life sets him apart as a charismatic, exciting character, one about whose destiny the audience starts to care more. By reminding the audience about the boy often but not revealing very much about him the director creates in the mind of viewers a mystery that lasts the entire film and continues on afterwards.
In conclusion, 12 is an enthralling film mostly thanks to the phenomenal development of characters the director is able to show in different ways. The audience can’t help but get into the film and want to know the outcome, which is what makes it so successful.
It’s amazing that this movie can be so enthralling when most of it takes place in one room and over a short period of time; the setting is so limited, and yet it is a fascinating film. The development of the characters is what makes the film so good.
The characters make the film intriguing because they are so diverse; and they change. The director uses a number of close-ups to emphasize the significance of what each jury member says and to juxtapose their unique outlooks on the case. It’s interesting how the opposition of the two most outspoken jury members influences the others so much. The director develops each member of the jury one by one as each explains his background and viewpoint. The responses to each viewpoint are so diverse as well, ranging from lashing out in anger to considering calmly and even agreeing with it. All of these things bring the film alive and draw the viewers into it.
Another way the director makes the development of the characters intriguing is through their language. The different members of the jury speak with so much emotion when their opinions are challenged, some with anger, others with love. The large range of volume, intellect, and intense feelings expressed in the language of the characters forces the audience to take the film seriously and pick a side themselves. If at first the viewers are led to think that the court decision is meaningless and obvious by the nonchalant words of the jury members, later on when the argument escalates through emotional and aggressive words the decision becomes a responsible, life-or-death choice.
Perhaps the most interesting character though is the boy himself. He, in fact, is the reason for everything that happens in the movie, and yet he hardly says a word the whole time. The director builds interest in the boy as a vital character by periodically showing him, either in prison or in flashbacks from his childhood. An especially effective flashback is when the boy dances for the soldiers. This short clip from his life sets him apart as a charismatic, exciting character, one about whose destiny the audience starts to care more. By reminding the audience about the boy often but not revealing very much about him the director creates in the mind of viewers a mystery that lasts the entire film and continues on afterwards.
In conclusion, 12 is an enthralling film mostly thanks to the phenomenal development of characters the director is able to show in different ways. The audience can’t help but get into the film and want to know the outcome, which is what makes it so successful.
Great review I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteGood review. I didn't see this movie but I have seen 12 Angry Men which is what this one is based off of and I was amazed at the way they could make it interesting all in one room. My only suggestions are to make your introduction sentence a little more catchy and to strengthen the thesis.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I like it. I didn't see 12, but it sounds like I would like it if I saw it. I liked how you organized it. The thesis is kind of weak, like Natalie said, and you could add to the conclusion, but the body paragraphs are really exciting and pulled me in as a reader. I actually like your introduction sentence too. I also like the way you save the best for last, and the last sentence is especially good.
ReplyDeleteAdam, I love the first paragraph! I also saw 12 and the way you brought up how the entire movie took place in one set location for a short period of time completely opened my eyes!
ReplyDeleteI like all of your points, you really covered a lot. I just need to know what your central thesis is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the help, it's true that often I lose track of my main idea. I wanted to make the point that the effective development of characters is the reason the film is so exciting, but I did lose track of that idea a few times.
ReplyDelete