Essay Question – Discuss the narrative structure of either The Broken Circle Breakdown (Van Groeningen 2012) or The Big Short (McKay 2015). You may approach the analysis of the film from any of the following perspectives or think of an original one.
• You could start by comparing opening and closing of the film. Notice what themes are introduced from the very beginning. How are they elaborated upon? Can you discern a narrative “rhythm” (what events are allowed to unfold? Which ones are part of the story but are not presented in the plot?) How do the endings resolve or leave open the central conflicts?
• You could choose to elaborate on the dynamics created by the play between restricted and unrestricted narration (whose point-of-view do we share? How much do we know? Which characters know more? What are the results of the manipulation of the characters/spectators’ knowledge?).
• You could also focus on time (in what order are events presented? Where does the film start? Are some events presented more than once? From whose point of view?)
• You could consider the central characters in the film and elaborate on their traits and on the way in which their professions work to organize/justify the narrative. Who are the film’s surrogate narrators? Whose perspective do we share and does it change?)
• You should point to some of the most relevant narrative/formal motifs and discuss their significance. For ex. what devices are used to signal the end of specific scenes? Are there ambiguous transitions?
Important: do not recount the plot- assume the reader has seen the films. You should organize your essay around a thesis statement.
Please use the names of the characters when referring to them (consult IMDB.COM).

IMPORTANT:
Do not recount the plot. Assume the reader is familiar with the films.
Do use the names of the characters, not the names of the actors (in The Matrix Neo is a computer hacking expert, not Keanu Reeves!).
Do underline or italicize film titles. If you do not, your paper will be returned to you and marked late.
Do write in the present tense about the action in a film. Kane marries Susan Alexander…and the character will continue to do so in the eternally present tense of the film.
Do organize your argument around a thesis statement, then support it with a few, well-chosen examples.
Grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation matter…remember the Lynne Truss book with the “cowboy” panda bear (“Eats, shoots, and leaves” or “eats shoots and leaves”?).
Other tips:
Do think of an interesting title for your paper!
Do not use a cover sheet, keep it simple!
Do keep a copy of your paper and any notes you have taken while writing it. They could be useful should you need to re-trace your sources.
Do, always, Czech yore spilling, do not rely only on your computer. Your spellchecker does not have a problem with a “stagecoach crossing the dessert”. We do.