Getting Reel: A Social Science Perspective on Film By Michael D. ...

II

Reel Truth

Introduction to Reel Truth

This section emphasizes the issues of “truth.” Since movies are presenting you with vast numbers of images about “reality,” it seems like a good idea to question how “truthful” those images are, and how they influence our understanding of reality. My emphasis is on making the reader reflective about issues that commonly arise in mainstream movies. The basic and recurring questions that will be raised (and explained) in this section include:

• How much was my overall view of truth impacted? How much artistic license was used?

• Does the film tend to reflect conservative or liberal values?

• What is the relation of the individual to the group?

• Will the film tend to make me politically apathetic?

• What are the film’s implicit ideas about human nature?

• How do the heroes influence us?

• Is it sick that I laughed at some of the stuff I laughed at?

• Is it a democratic hero?

• What about “Justice”?

• How are “exceptional” people presented?

• If relevant, what is the film’s attitude towards madness?

• Are buddy films anti-feminist?

• How is social class portrayed?

• How are the male characters depicted?

• What are the likely effects of screen violence?

• How are families viewed?

• To what extent is the history in the film accurate?