Film Reviews - Language and Tone
Film Reviews - Language and Tone
Film Reviews - Language and Tone
STRUCTURE/CONTENT
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.
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 Nair 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.
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
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.
TONE
The article is predominately written with an advanced andtechnical high
rangeofvocabularyusing words likesqualorandanalytical referencesthe triumph over
adversity storyenhances a moresophisticatedandformal toneto theaudience. This perhaps
allows a more educatedprimary audience to be targeted. However, this isjuxtaposedwith a use
ofcolloquial languagethroughonomatopoeia oohing and aahing and bawling through their own
matcheswhich provides the impression that therevieweris talking directly to thereaderin
aconversational style.Despite this,thereviewerdoes not use anyslangwithin thereviewwhilst
avoidingabbreviationsand constantly utilising ahigh level of vocabularythus allowing
thereaderto gain a more knowledgeable impression of Richards whilst he conveys an
almostauthoritative tonewhich is evident through hisextensive research(e.g. into the cast and
crew)and detailed response. However, he also does show hint of asarcastic tonethrough the
statementAt least that has pieces flying through the airin which a comparison totiddlywinks
provideshumourcombined with the use ofpunswithin themain title,captionetc. also
createscomical effectproviding a more laid backatmospherical tonewhich contrasts to the
seriousness of thehigh level of vocabulary.
theendingwhich would essentially ruin the film for thereadersdecreasing the likelihood
of them going to watch theproduction.
TONE
The overalltoneof thefilm reviewis humorous through the utilisation
ofconversationalandcolloquial languagethat directly addresses theaudience(e.g.but
yes it does exist and you have to see it to believe it,get accused of making it up,
skits,andwormhole from an alternative universe). This createscomical effectwhich
cleverly adheres to the filmsgenreas comedy is reflected through this use
ofconversational styleand humour. Thereviewhas sections that isformalwith the use
ofmedia terminology predominately seen within the second paragraph and the use of
multiplefilm referenceswhich shows that thewriterclearly has a lot of knowledge
surrounding thetopicof film which also conveyed that thisarticleis targeting
anaudiencewho are also widely knowledgeable in this specific area. Yet there is also an
element ofinformalitywith use of phrases likehootie tootie disco cutiewhich
inquotation marksis evidently a line within the film yet the decision to include this
shows that thefilm revieweris also trying to reflect thisstylein her own writing.