Film Review: Break Down Analysis Content/Structure

Paragraph 1)
Summary of plot, includes genre, location, setting, overview, comment on
protagonist, actors names
Firstly, the overallplotis introduced within the first basicinformationsection of
thereviewproviding theaudiencewith an insight and understanding towards thecontentof the
film if they were unaware or hadnt heard of it before. This is just a generalised overview of
thestorylinetherefore doesnt create anyspoilersor give too much information away which
would essentially put someone off of the film thus raisingenigma codes. Theplot synopsisfirst
establishes theprotagonistyet does not name her just identifies her biological sex asa young
girlhowever then goes onto reveallocationandsetting growing up in one of the poorest areas
of Uganda.Once these are established thestorylineis briefly touched upon in terms of
thethemesurrounding chess, a personal journey and poverty; essentially being a success story
which within the first paragraph is revealed to be atrue story. This insight immediately allows
theaudienceto decide whether or not they want to watch or will enjoy the film based solely on
theplot.
The summary is just ageneralised overview of thestorylinetherefore doesnt create
anyspoilersor give too much information away which would essentially put someone off of the
film thus raisingenigma codes. Theplot synopsisfirst establishes theprotagonistBig
Ronniewhilst also identifying thelead actorin brackets (St Michaels)which clearly signifies
that the chosenactorsare a means ofstar marketing, acting as theUSPfor the film. It then goes
onto to reveal characteristics surrounding theprotagonistin which it is made known that he is
unusual through the statementcovers himself in grease. Additionally, the villain of
thenarrativeis revealed to be in fact be theprotagonistwhich answers theenigma codeset
within themain image andtitleof the film. It also revealed that he is an aggressive character who
isnt a people-friendly person at all through thewordingstrangles folks who irritate him. Next,
theantagonistis revealed and also namedBig Braydenin which thelead actoris listed in
brackets as well(Elobar). Relationships between characters is established aslocationis
introduced to theaudiencein which they gain the understanding thatBig Ronnieis the father
ofBig Braydenhis sonand that they live together whom he lives. The father-son relationship
is not the only one introduced, aromantic notionis made aware through a third female character
being conveyedJanet (De Razzo). Furthermore, the mainplotis briefly acknowledgedRonnie
schemes to take her away from Braydenand the use ofgreaseandstranglesconveys
thisnarrativesignificantly links to themain titleThe Greasy Strangler.This insight immediately
allows theaudienceto decide whether or not they want to watch or will enjoy the film based
solely on theplotwhilst also targeting those who are a fan of the lead actorslisted showing the
importance ofstar marketingin order to attract itsaudiencethrough theUSP.

Paragraph 2)
Extends on plot overview, narrative, lead actors, roles, personal opinion, genre
and conventions
The first paragraph extends on theplotoverview, touching on thenarrative
structureandnarrativeitself in more detail throughdescriptive language. It also begins to
introduce thelead actorswithin brackets and what theirrolesare within theproductiontells the
true story of Phiona Mutesi (Mandina Nalwanga)anda single mother (Lupita Nyongo). Within
this paragraph Richards also credits the directorNair providing apersonal opinionsurrounding her
other films by sayingher best movie in over a decadeconveying how he himself is knowledgeable
within thetopicof film as he knows about her otherproductionsand he himself believes that this
is her best. The inclusion of this may appeal to anaudiencewho are alsocinema loversor just are
aware of Nairs other works in which they may or may not be a fan themselves.

Theopening paragraphinstantly establishes thegenreof the film through the capitalised first
linesome cult movieswhich generalises thisproductionunder this dominant category as it is
already made aware thatThe Greasy Strangleris listed as multiplegenres horror, thriller and
black comedy. It also addresses theaudiencewith the use offolkssignifying the general
assumption that is attached when watching these sorts of films. Therefore, within this
paragraphconventionsenlisted to cult movies are introduced subtly by fitting them under the
same association through the use ofsomeandthey get accused of making them up this
generalises both theaudiencesreactions and thegenreitself. Next, it goes on to differentiate
this film from others through addressing thetitleyet it does still sayone of those film-within-afilmso again thereviewerutilises thesemantic fieldof consistency surrounding
theconventionalaspects under the specificgenre. Lastly, it ends with aconversational
styledirectly addressing theaudiencewith apronounyou.

Paragraph 3)
Media specifics cinematography, mis-en-scene, comparisons to other
productions, visuals, narrative structures, character representations, genre
conventions
Within the second paragraph,genre conventionsare once again spoken again showing thefilm
reviews writerto have extensive knowledge within thesubjectof film whilst also further
commenting on theplotandscenesyet also commenting on thedirectorsutilisation of such
aspects andtechniques. For instance he talks about thepoverty prodigy genrewhilst states how
Nair establishes this in anunconventionalwayyet Nair lets a lot of those clichs slide. He also
comments on othercast memberslikeWheelers screenplay,Stephanice Carrolls production
design,Mobolaji Dawodus costumesandSean Bobbitts cinematographyshowing his
extensive amount ofresearchinto who did what within theproductionnot just theprimary onscreen actorsanddirector. Within thetext, Richards explores thestorylineand also makes his
own personal suggestion towards why Niar has utilised or portrayed a certain aspect in a certain
way e.g.Perhaps its because Uganda has been her home for several years, butwhich
isconventionalof afilm reviewto have elements that make up thiswritersownperspectiveinto
the film.

Within the second paragraph,media terminologyis utilised showing thefilm reviews

writerto have extensive knowledge within thesubjectof film whilst also commenting on
thedirectors techniques,mis-en-sceneelements,narrative structures,character
representationsandfilm references. By referencing otherproductionsthedirectorhas
been involved in once again shows her extensive researchinto the background of
thefilmmakerin which if thereaderis already a fan of thedirectoror that particular
film, it may encourage them to watch thisproductionthus aiding in the films success. It
also acts as a slightcomparison pointas it will include similarities perhaps not
instorylinebut in thedirectorsown original and uniquestyle. Therefore, through the use
of areferenceit can be identified that thedirectoris utilised as aUSPof the film as
their fans will be enticed to watch another one of hisproductions. Additionally, by listing
other films anddirectorsas acomparison point(e.g.There are echoes of John Waters
or even the worst of TromaandJohnny Suede, Meet the Hollowheads or Big Meat
Eater) fans of theseproductionswill be more likely to watch this film as they believe if
it is anything like thesereferencesthey will also enjoy this one. Also, this shows that the
filmrevieweris acinema lovertherefore signifying that theprimary targetedand
intendedaudienceare expected to also bereaderswho love films and have extensive
knowledge into film. The overalltoneandsemantic field of this paragraph is positive
through the use oflanguagesurrounding multiple aspects such as thevisualsa great
deal of low-budget visual inventionand thedirectorsintentions an admirable desire
to turn stomachs by showing things few people want to look for as long as he holds his
shots.That statement itselfironicallycontrasts the negatives listed liketurn
stomachsandfew people want to look atthrough thephrasingandwording. Also, this
is evident when describing the choice incastinghe deploys astonishingly committed (if

deliberately one-note) performancestherefore, it overwrites the negatives with a

positivetone.

Paragraph 4)
Extends on the plot, genre, research into backgrounds of cast, references to other
films, comparison points to other films within the genre, ending, personal stance
The third paragraph depicts a more overall negativetoneconveying the other side of his
opinionsjuxtaposingthe previous paragraphs positivity. Also, once again he comments on the
overallplotandgenreand what he particularly does not like about it indicating his own personal
stance to theaudience allowing them to see a more balanced approach within thereview. Yet
further down the paragraph he again makesreferenceto positives when talking about
particularscenesandcasting, predominately praising theactors. Amongst this areferenceto
another film that one of thelead actorshas been in identifyingNyongoplaying her firston screen
rolewith Queen Katwe sinceher Oscar win for 2013s 12 Years A Slavewhich again shows his
extensive knowledge into film. Additionally, it shows his researchinto the backgrounds of
thecastincluded within thisproductioncreditingand introducing to theaudienceto another film
which may encourage them to watch thatproductionbut also this particular film if they
enjoyed12 Years A Slave thus, this acts as a slight comparison point. Plus, by using
areferencetheUSPof the film can be identified through usingstar marketingas
theaudienceof12 Years A Slavemay be more encouraged to watch this film if it includes
anactorthat was within thatproductionhence forth enticing fans of theactorto also watch
aiding in the films success
Again, the forth paragraph extends on theplotandnarrative structurewhilst
makingreferencesthat act ascomparison pointsto other existing films andgenresthrough
statements liketheres a touch of Steptoe & Sonandwho talks like a refugee from a
hardboiled 1930s comedy. Similarly to the previous paragraph, the overall feel is positive as
thereviewerwritesincluding a merciless routine that gets funnier and funnierandleading to
an unforgettable hootie tootie disco cutie singing routine. Thenarrative structureis praised
being described asa perfect, inevitable-yet-unexpected tragic twist that even has a sequel
hookwhich conveys thereviewerspersonal stance of theendingand film (through the
holisticsemantic fieldof positivity) whilst also enticing and encouraging theaudienceto become
excited about the prospect of asequelto this original film. This statement also helps establish
theendingdepicting it in a positive light yet not revealing too much information therefore
increasing their desire to watch it in order to see thisunexpectedandperfectending,thus
raisingenigma codes.

Paragraph 5) Last Paragraph

Overall personal opinions (positive/negative), conveyed through use of language,
lasting impression, perhaps a reference to other films (USP), background research,
comparison point?
Finally, within the closing/last paragraph it ends on another constant personal portrayal of a
negative and positive aspect. Yet the final statement useslanguagesuch
astriumphandpleasureconveying how the overallfilm reviewends on a high note thus
providing a lasting effect/impression on the audienceas being positive perhaps enhancing their
desire to watch the film, hence forth aiding in the films success.
The closing/last paragraph contradicts the overalltoneof thearticlethrough the use of negatives
which balances out thereviewmore in terms of positive and negative personal opinions yet the
holistic overview is still predominantly enthusiastic/favourable. This is evident through statements
likeIt is full of uncomfortable sightsandgnome-like, smugly
snarlingwithdescriptiveslikegrotesqueandmonstrous. Additionally, Newman refers to
other films theprotagonist/lead actorhas been in (including thegenresthey are under)whose
few screen credits include the direct-to-video zombie filmThe Video Dead (1987)and the recent
Satanic cult picture Another (aka Mark Of The Witch)once again showing herresearchinto film
and backgrounds of thecast,creditingand introducing to theaudienceto another films which may

encourage them to watch thatproductionbut also this particular film if they enjoyed thelead
actorsother features thus, this acts as a slightcomparison point. Plus, by using
areferencetheUSPof the film can be identified through usingstar marketingas
theaudienceofthese filmsmay be more encouraged to watch this film if it includes anactorthat
was within thatproductionhence forth enticing fans of theactorto also watch aiding in the films
success. She alsoreferencesafilm seriesThe Human Centipedeas acomparison pointand a
way to target/stretch to a wideraudiencewithin thereviewas those who like this series will be
encouraged to watchThe Greasy Strangler.

Verdict
Summaries overall film review, own opinions, exclusive to EMPIRE, no media
terminology to target wider audience, balance of positives and negatives, lasting
impression of the film to the audience
A verdict section is placed at the end of the article that summaries the overall film review
including the opinions of the reviewer. This section is included exclusively to EMPIRE to give
readers an opportunity to just read this section of the film review- assuming they do not want to
read the entire article - therefore gives them a brief understanding of what the writer of the
review thoughts were about in regards to the film. There is no media terminology used within this
section thus targeting a wider audience unlike most of the review which uses highly specialised
vocabulary in terms of the media specific terms yet the language used within the 'verdict' also is
reflective of the constancy regarding the balance between positives and negatives seen throughout
the whole film review. It begins with a negative input in regards to the film not winning "any prizes
for originality" yet, it contrasts this negativity (just like the main article does) with a positive
personal opinion using words such as "immense warmth" and "cheer". Finally it ends of a high note
with the balanced statement of "You can see just about every move coming" - therefore insulting
the narrative structure, storyline and originality of the plot - and "but it's making all the right
ones" thus ending on an overall high note. As a result, the audience could either be disheartened
by this negativity therefore will not want to watch the film or be influenced by the positive
perspective which allows the closing statement to enhance the desirability and likelihood of the
reader watching the film.

A verdict section is placed at the end of the article that summaries the overallfilm
reviewincluding the opinions of thereviewer. This section is included exclusively toEMPIREto
givereadersan opportunity to just read this section of thefilm review assuming they do not want
to read the entire article therefore gives them a brief understanding of what thewriterof
thereviewthoughts were about in regards to the film. There is nomedia terminologyused within
this section thus targeting awider audienceunlike parts of the review which uses media specific
language "low budget visual invention, distinctive music..." etc. A balanced personal perspective is
supplied by the reviewer which seems to be conventional within EMPIRE magazine bybeginning with
a negative input in regards to the film's intended audience "is - to put it mildly - not for everyone".
The use of 'put it mildly' suggests to the audience the negative inference that there is more the
writer could say in terms of negative comments yet will only portray this negative aspect in a tame
way. Despite the holding back of the reviewer's true extended feelings, this may dishearten readers
through the negative inference concerning the audience which doesn't draw in as much of a wide
spread audience as it would have done without this comment. Plus, the writer also uses the word
"all-out assault" which like the film's storyline and intention conveys violence to the 'sense's' further
symbolising the personal perspective that watching this film is painful for your senses which would
definitely have an impact on the audience in that some will not be as attracted to the idea as
before. The use of a collective pronoun 'you' also directly infers the audience which allows the
review to feel more personal perhaps subjecting the audience to more of an attachment towards the
film and the characters etc. However, it does end on a high note with a positive comment "it's worth
sticking with for a core of genuine, affecting drama and dollops of sly, quotable humour". The use
of the word "humour" not only draws the audience's attention inwards through the assumption of
comical effect which essentially provides positivity and happiness yet also relates to the film's genre
- this being a dark comedy.As a result, theaudiencecould either be disheartened by this negativity
therefore will not want to watch the film or be influenced by the positiveperspectivewhich allows
theclosing statementto enhance the desirability and likelihood of thereaderwatching thefilm.