American Cinema Criticism: Timothy Corrigan Approaches to Writing About Films and Literature

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American Cinema Criticism
Film and Literature
There is a fervent and subtle relationship between film and literature. On the surface both the film and literature can be associated with the culture of their origin. Films that are made in America largely embody the American culture even though they may have been adopted from other cultures in the world. At the same time, it is the work of the directors to make sure that, for the sake of the authenticity of the cultures that they represent, all the aspects of that culture are represented to some significant levels. It is common to watch films that are said to represent certain cultural aspects of specific cultures in the world and feel detached from the content. This is especially the case where the content of the film and the characteristics of the production and representation do not match the underlying information on the specific culture. In most of the cases, the films are adapted from the literature material that has been published before, such as novels, poems and short stories among others. The literature material is representative of the cultural aspects of the context and content and the directors in the film have to try as much to come close to the representation of the literature. Timothy Corrigan brings out some of the basic elements that should be considered when writing about a film. There are six approaches established by Corrigan on the various ways that one can evaluate or critique a film. Using these six approaches this paper critiques the film Citizen Kane.
Timothy Corrigan approaches to writing about films and literature
There are quite a number of factors that determine the way that any given film is directed and ultimately produced. Aspects such as political, social and finances take the basic influences that affect the adaption of any literature into a film (Faculty-staff.ou.edu). When writing about a film adapted from literature, there are quite a number factors that one look at. Different people will come up with aspects that they would consider to be crucial to the evaluation of the same. Timothy Corrigan, however, developed one of the most elaborate means of critiquing films that has stood the test of time. In his model, there are six approaches that can help understand the subtle development of the film and what it stands for (Faculty-staff.ou.edu). These are approaches that help the researcher to understand more about the film in a more standardized format. The six approaches proposed by Corrigan include the film history, national cinemas, genres, auteurs, formalism and ideology (Listology.com).
Citizen Kane
This is a film that takes on the mantle for a classic masterpiece and one that brought to the film industry fresh and sophisticated filmography. This film is highly rated and one of the most famous masterpieces in the American history of film making and one that be awarded massive recognition across the film industry. Some of the elements that have stood out for the film, include the remarkable performances, experimental innovations, remarkable scenes, narrative techniques and the cinematic characters. In the film Orso Welles is the lead star, producer and the director. Collaborating together with H...