4 Movie Posters Analyzed for Story Content
March 22, 2007
The Dramatica way of looking at a story can not only be applied to the stories themselves, but also how they are marketed. Take for instance, the one-sheet - or what normal civilians would call a movie poster. As with stories, a successful one-sheet is one that includes all the different perspectives one can take when looking at a problem.
Here are four films with varying degrees of success in communicating their central idea.
Blood Diamond
A perfect way to start. All four throughlines are here in full force. With only two faces to choose from, I can assume that one is the Main Character and the other his Impact Character. I would assume DiCaprio is the Main Character - partly because he is the foreground, and partly because he was up for Best Actor (cheating…I know, but it works!). That would leave Djimon Hounsou as Leo’s Impact Character.
One of the reasons for making a film like this is a desire to educate an unknowing populace about the carnage and suffering that surrounds the diamond industry. Having a singular viewpoint (“You”) represent what is really going on behind the scenes, in a personal way, can be a very powerful force. Although I have yet to see the film, I can imagine that Djimon’s character and the struggles he has to deal with has an impact on DiCaprio’s point-of-view.
Their relationship (Subjective Story) must be one of friendship, or at the very least, of collaboration - signified by them sharing the same side of the frame. Both are in it together, side by side.
And the Objective Story - what the plot is all about - is shown nicely with attack helicopters and fire and destruction across a barren landscape. The spiky image in the foreground nicely accentuates the sharp conflict while at the same time it tries to hide such deplorable conditions in obscurity.
Contrast this with the new image on the cover of the recently released DVD. Not as impressive or as clear. Who the heck is that girl photographer? And now that the two principals are on either sides I can’t tell who is most important. And the relationship between DiCaprio and Hounsou is even more unclear.
5 Stars for the original one-sheet. 1 star for the DVD (Because I like the color palette).
The Prestige
On to vengeful magicians. As much as I loved this film - the poster is a little unclear. In fact, if I hadn’t know that Christopher Nolan was the director I probably would not have been all that inspired to see it.
You’ve got two guys looking different directions with a mysterious sexy woman in the center. I say sexy because the blue smoky image she emerges from almost has the silhouette of an alluring woman. So perhaps there’s a woman (Scarlett Johansson) that comes between these two? And who is the Main Character? My graphic design class taught me to put the important stuff on the right side (the eye tends to linger there longer) - so I would assume it’s Christian Bale, but I don’t really feel connected to him. And I’ve got no idea about any kind of a relationship. And what about the fact that they’re supposed to be magicians? There’s no rabbit coming out of a hat or a deck of cards being held. Just two serious looking guys.
Sadly, I’ll have to give it 1 star.
Casino Royale
Bond returns and he looks pissed (or at the very least determined…hmmm…could he be a Steadfast character?). It’s safe to say that in a James Bond film, Bond would be the Main Character. You’ve got the beautiful woman on the right (thats where you put all the good stuff, correct?) which implies a romantic relationship (Subjective Story - again, pretty safe bet when it comes to a Bond film). But what is interesting is the expression on her face. She’s not looking at him as if to say, “Oh, James, take me now.” She’s turned slightly away, almost disgusted at what he does for a living. Perhaps an opposing point-of-view on how life should be led? Bonus points for showing a clear Impact Character.
It would’ve received 5 stars if the Objective Story had been a little clearer or more prominent. I’m sure they were trying to focus solely on Daniel Craig because he was the new Bond, and obviously a Bond film has some kind of spy/taking over the world plot to it. It just would’ve been nice to see more than the exterior of a casino (which actually looks like one of the buildings on the Warner Bros. lot).
4 out of 5 for Casino Royale.
Casablanca
And let’s end it with a blast from the past - the second greatest movie of all time: Casablanca. And it does me proud by accurately representing all four throughlines. Bogie, the Main Character, is front and center. Gun drawn, ready for action. He almost looks like he’s just jumped in front of Ingrid to protect her.
Speaking of Bergman, look at her impact on him - visually she’s torn between two men. She obviously wants to go to Bogie but knows that a life with Victor Laszlo makes the most sense. Regardless, everyone who knows story should know - their romance is one of the greatest dramatic relationships in cinema history (Subjective Story covered).
And then you’ve got the cast of shady characters around them. In fact, the whole image reeks of film noir - you’ve got Germans, and corrupt French officials and even the locals trying to make their way through difficult times. If they had thrown Sam the piano player in there they would’ve had all 8 objective characters on the same poster!
5 out of 5. Easily.
Conclusion
3 great one-sheets and 1 stinker. And this is no judgment on the films themselves. Personally I absolutely loved The Prestige, but I can’t help but think that if the poster had been a bit more enticing - if it had drawn me into the conflict at hand the way a great trailer can - I might have made the effort to go to the theater.