The American Dream – Ideologies in Life and Pop-Culture

The American Dream – Ideologies in Life and Pop-Culture: A Film Review During this section you will examine the American Dream, but with a focus on popular culture. You will examine ideologies, ethics, morals, values, and experiences as they pertain to the American Dream as you interpret it, and as they are represented within film, music, poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. For the “essay” you will write an analysis/review of a film chosen from the list below (if you want to choose your own film, it must be related to the themes we have been exploring during the American Dream essay block, and it must be approved by me via email at least one week before the essay is due).

The films: choose one for this essay (some of these films are rated R, and contain adult content. If you are uncomfortable with any of the films, please choose another from the list, or request a film of your own at least one week before the essay is due). I will provide at least one location where you can find the movie (such as Netflix, or Amazon Video—all can be found here at the least) but you are free to find the movie elsewhere (please note that some of these movies may no longer be available on the listed platform, if that is the case let me know ASAP!). • The Pursuit of Happyness (available for rent on Amazon Video) – Rated PG-13 • An American Tail (available for rent on Amazon Video) – Rated G • The Great Gatsby (any version: the 1974 Version Staring Robert Redford is available on Netflix, and the 2013 version staring Leonardo DiCaprio is available for rent on Amazon Video, and there is also a 1949 version, though I was unable to locate this online) – PG and PG-13

• Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (available for rent on Amazon Video) – NR • Little Miss Sunshine (available for rent on Amazon Video) – Rated R • Citizen Kane (available for rent on Amazon Video & on YouTube) – NR • Idiocracy (available for rent on Amazon Video) – Rated R • The Immigrant (available on Netflix) – Rated R • Spanglish (available for rent on Amazon Video) – Rated PG-13 • The Border (available for rent on Amazon Video) – Rated R • Moscow On the Hudson (available for rent on Amazon Video) – Rated R • Alamo Bay (available for rent on Amazon Video) – Rated R The Guidelines: As you view the film, consider how the cuts, camera angles, shots and movement work to create particular meanings. Think about how they establish space, privilege certain characters, suggest relationships, emphasize themes, or forward the narrative. In addition to camera angles, editing, and camera movement, note details of the narrative, setting, characters, lighting, props, costume, tone, and sound. However, with that in mind, the main purpose of this analysis is to compare and contrast the film with our discussions on the American Dream. Think about the characters and the setting, the tone and overall mood, the themes and motifs, and the narrative of the story. How does it compare to the American Dream narratives? To begin your review/analysis (your intro paragraph), offer your overall impression of the film while mentioning the movie’s title, director, and key actors, then as you move into your body paragraphs, ask yourself the following questions: • How is the story in the film told? (Linear, with flashbacks, flash-forwards, episodically)? What “happens” in the plot of the film that is similar to “real life?” What is the basic argument of the film’s plot? What themes (an abstraction or generalization about life, humanity, and human/non-human interactions) underlie the plot? What does the film show about the people and their values? How does this differ from the values and ideologies we have explored, if at all? • How does the film cue particular reactions on the part of viewers (sound, editing, characterization, camera movement, etc.)? Why does the film encourage such reactions? Are these reactions similar to those we see in our real lives? • What objects or settings serve symbolic functions in the film? What are the objects and/or settings, and what are their functions? • What is the music’s purpose in the film? How does it direct our attention within the image? How does it shape our interpretation of the image? • How might industrial, social, and economic factors have influenced the film? • Does the film follow or critique dominant ideologies? Does it reflect and shape particular cultural tensions? If you think so, how so? If not, why not? • If the resolution of the film teaches a lesson (they usually do), what is that lesson, and how can you apply it to your own life? Once you have answered these questions, you may add to the review any other thoughts or feelings you have in regards to the film. Remember to “read the film,” don’t just watch it. Requirements: A. Essay/review must be 1250 words minimum (about 5 pages)—but, quality over quantity B. MLA format: double spaced, 12pt font, with a works cited page if you cite any sources.