Guide Questions for Film Analysis

Story:

1. Is it plot or character-oriented?
2. Are all the characters believable?
3. Does it have the element of surprise? Is the ending predictable?

Character:
1. Do actors and actresses deserve to be commended?
2. Are all the other supporting actors credible? Who is the most credible? Least credible?
3. What is your assessment of the lead actor or actress? Is the role fitting to the personality/voice-projection of the actor or actress?

Theme:
1. What is the underlying message of the film?
2. Identify the symbolisms used in the film. What do they mean?
3. How do these symbols contribute to the over all meaning of the film?
4. Can you identify the motif used in the film? How does the motif relate to the director’s tendencies and choice of presenting his message?

Setting:
1. Is the location appropriate?
2. What location touched you most? Why?
3. Are there locations that seem to be irrelevant? What are these and why?

Sex and Music:
1. Was there any sex scene in the film? Was this necessary or not? How did this contribute to the over all message of film?
2. How was the music used? Was the music appropriate to the particular scene? What feelings were evoked by the music with the particular image it accompanied?

Thank you to Sir Jeremy Eliab’s notes
Film Appreciation
Ateneo de Davao University
Jacinto Street, Davao City