Crime Film Analysis
Examine how crime films shape our understanding of crime and punishment. Specifically, select a crime film and analyze its narrative/message. In your film analysis, you will need to
(1) introduce your film
(2) connect it to the criminal justice system,
(3) highlight themes present in the film and
(4) discuss how your film influences our perceptions of crime and punishment in society.
Crime films shape our understanding of crime and punishment in society. In fact, many crime films contain underlining political and social messages of the time. A film analysis critically examines the narrative of a movie including plot, characters, landscape, motives, themes, etc.
For example, what does the film say about the face of criminality and the nature and extent of crime?
-Rewatch the film for nuances that you may have missed in the past. With your thesis statement in mind, take notes as you rewatch the film.
-Develop a clear argument with a thesis statement and outline, organizing your evidence so that it supports your argument. You must support your thesis statement with empirical evidence from relevant sources.
- Limit your summary of the film. Please focus your discussion on the analysis and the significance of your evidence.
- Throughout your paper, explain why crime films are relevant to Criminology. Students need to identify and explain the scholarly relevance of specific themes in crime films such as rogue cops, sexual deviance, organized crime hierarchies, the romanticizing of criminals, etc. Then, connect these themes to a larger framework of Criminology.
Outline [not included in the final draft. use this for reference]:
1. Title Page
2. Introduction (1 page)
a.) What is your thesis statement?
b.) What is the film’s title, release date, and director’s name?
c.) Why is the significance of the film?
d.) What are the general themes of the film? How are they constructed?
3. Literature Review/Background (1½ pages)
a.) What do we know about crime and punishment in society?
b.) What are the major issues and concerns regarding the criminal justice system? What are the conflicting solutions?
c.) How do crime films reflect and influence society? Specifically, how do crime films shape our understanding of crime, victims, criminals, criminal behavior, cause and appropriate responses to crime, etc.?
d.) What do crime films say about gender, race/ethnicity, and social inequalities?
e.) How do crime films confirm and/or challenge popular myths and stereotypes?
4. Analysis (2 pages)
a.) What type(s) of social control system is presented or implied in your film?
b.) What is the cause(s) of crime presented or implied in your film?
c.) What is the main message of your film? How is it conveyed?
d.) Which characters do we identify with and why?
e.) Are social criticism or social commentary present in your film?
f.) How does the time period shape the narrative of your film? What does the film say about the culture that created it? What were/are the social and political concerns of the time period? How do we look at your film differently in today’s time period?
g.) How does your analysis support and/or challenge your literature review?
Sample Solution
The crime film I will be analyzing is Reservoir Dogs (1992), directed by Quentin Tarantino. Reservoir Dogs tells the story of six criminals who come together to commit a heist, but not everything goes as planned and they soon find themselves trying to figure out what went wrong amidst violence and betrayal. The main characters in Reservoir Dogs are: Mr. White (Harvey Keitel), Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen), Mr. Orange (Tim Roth), Mr Pink (Steve Buscemi), Nice Guy Eddie Cabot (Chris Penn) and Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney). All of them have different reasons for joining this criminal enterprise; some need money, some seek revenge, while others simply enjoy living on the edge of danger and chaos. The narrative revolves around how these criminals deal with their predicament after things go wrong during their heist attempt, leading them into a universe of violence where loyalty is tested in every moment as it quickly becomes clear that one or more among them was responsible for tipping off police about the plan beforehand.
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