The Art of Overanalyzing Movies

Now You See It
9 Nov 201808:52
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video explores the validity of film analysis that differs from the director's intent. It examines how some directors consciously layer in meaning while others work more intuitively, yet hidden meanings emerge regardless. Though completely inaccurate or under-researched analyses should be dismissed, the viewer still can't know the objective truth. Convincing interpretations that provide fresh perspective on a film, even if unintended by the director, have value. However, sometimes it's best to simply immerse in the emotional experience of a film without over-analyzing. The viewer should focus on what a scene evokes rather than obsessing over what it was meant to represent.

Takeaways
  • 😀 The scene in Inglourious Basterds where the German officer confuses King Kong and the slave trade shows a disconnect between creator intent and audience interpretation.
  • 🤔 Understanding if an interpretation is valid without artist intent has implications for analyzing art - should critics take the artist's word as law?
  • 💡 Directors may state intentions clearly (Coen Bros) or hide meaning through editing (American Psycho).
  • 🎥 Kubrick built films intuitively not always with a specific meaning, despite myths of endless analysis from fans.
  • 😮 Tarantino realized a deeper meaning in his work through the writing process itself.
  • 🔍 Good analysis reveals the hidden meanings people bring to their creative choices.
  • 💯 Convincing analysis fits the context (King Kong representing fears of free blacks) and gives a new perspective.
  • 😠 Problem comes from overanalyzing tiny details vs. emotional impact (2001’s ending).
  • ❌ Under-researched analysis with little evidence falls apart.
  • 📝 Learning context before analysis leads to better understanding (sign up for DIY filming class).
Q & A

  • What are some examples of directors hiding the meaning of their films?

    -In American Psycho, the director filmed William Dafoe's character with three different perspectives to create uncertainty. Ang Lee also used this technique in Brokeback Mountain by merging takes where Anne Hathaway's character both knew and didn't know the truth about her husband's death.

  • Why can analysis still be valid even if it's not what the artist intended?

    -Because everyone involved in the filmmaking process brings their own experiences and worldviews, which come through in the creative choices they make. So the viewer can find meaning that the director didn't consciously intend.

  • What should good film analysis add to the viewing experience?

    -Good analysis should invite the viewer to think about the film in a fresh, meaningful, and interesting way, even if it's not what the director specifically meant. It should fit with the rest of the movie and make it more impactful.

  • How does Kubrick say he approaches filmmaking?

    -Kubrick says he takes an intuitive approach, making choices that feel right rather than structuring everything around a specific intended meaning from the start. It's more like writing music than crafting an argument.

  • What's an example of film analysis that probably misses the point?

    -The theory that Kubrick airbrushed his own face into the clouds in The Shining doesn't really enhance viewing or appreciation of the movie. It gets caught up in inconsequential details rather than emotional impact.

  • What should you avoid when analyzing film?

    -Getting caught up in details and "over-analyzing" at the expense of the overall viewing experience. Also, analysis without thorough research to back it up.

  • What's the problem with over-analyzing movies?

    -It can cause you to miss what makes the movie great in the first place - the emotion and experience it evokes in the viewer.

  • What did Tarantino reveal about the deeper meaning in Reservoir Dogs?

    -He didn't consciously intend a father-son theme at first, but in the process of writing the script, the theme poured out subconsciously based on his life experiences.

  • What's an example of a film ending that's better enjoyed without too much analysis?

    -The ending of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Kubrick said not to get caught up in the details, but rather think about the emotion it's meant to evoke in the viewer.

  • What resources can help improve your film analysis skills?

    -Proper film education and research are key. The Skillshare online classes mentioned at the end provide useful filmmaking knowledge applicable to analysis.

Outlines
00:00
🎥 How directors construct meaning in films

This paragraph discusses how directors construct meaning in their films, whether consciously or subconsciously. It looks at examples like the Coen Brothers directly stating the meaning of The Big Lebowski, while Christopher Nolan keeps the meaning of his films hidden. The paragraph argues that regardless of the director's intent, they bring their experiences into the creative choices they make, placing their worldview into the work.

05:01
📝 Letting the audience interpret the meaning

This paragraph argues that analysis should add meaningful interpretation to a film, rather than obsessing over small details. It uses the example of the ending of 2001: A Space Odyssey, saying the audience should focus on the emotion it evokes rather than Kubrick's specific meaning. The paragraph concludes that under-researched analysis that is inconsistent with the rest of a film does not hold up well.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡interpretation
An interpretation is an explanation or opinion about the meaning behind a work of art. The video discusses whether an interpretation is valid if it's not what the artist intended. For example, the German officer interprets King Kong as an allegory for the slave trade, but the creators deny this. The video explains how interpretations add layers of meaning to films.
💡meaning
Meaning refers to the message, moral, or significance behind a work of art. The video debates whether meaning in film is objective (what the artist intends) or subjective (open to the viewer's interpretation). It uses examples like American Psycho having multiple edited versions to show uncertainty over meaning.
💡intent
An artist's intent refers to what they consciously wanted to convey or accomplish with their work. The video examines cases where directors disguise or are unsure of a film's intent, making the viewer's interpretation more significant.
💡analysis
Analysis means closely studying and interpreting a work to understand its meaning. The video cautions that analysis should add depth and not miss what makes a film great. Overanalysis that lacks research or context is problematic.
💡subtext
Subtext refers to the underlying meaning behind the literal words/images in a film. The video uses Quentin Tarantino's quote about finding a deeper father-son subtext in Reservoir Dogs as an example of how creators bring subconscious influences into their work.
💡ambiguity
Ambiguity means uncertainty or confusion over the definiteness of meaning. Directors like Ang Lee in Brokeback Mountain purposefully create ambiguity which adds complexity for analysis.
💡evidence
Evidence supports and proves an analytical interpretation. The video advocates for concrete evidence over speculation in analysis - like claims over-analyzing Kubrick's work by finding hidden symbols.
💡emotion
Art creates an emotional experience separate from localized meaning. The video suggests feeling the ending of 2001 without overanalyzing its symbols, as Kubrick designed it to emotionally impact the viewer.
💡context
Context gives the analytical framework to interpret meaning. Lacking historical/production context can lead to inaccurate analysis, like wrong theories about the racial meaning behind King Kong.
💡logic
Logical analysis details and explains messages clearly, while illogical interpretations make a film seem absurd. Kubrick believed supernatural films fail logical analysis but succeed based on audience emotion.
Highlights

Director Mary Harron filmed scenes of American Psycho to purposefully create uncertainty around main character Bateman.

Kubrick took an intuitive approach to filmmaking rather than always working with a specific meaning in mind.

Kubrick's films invite analysis even if his intent isn't always clear during the filmmaking process.

Analyses should reveal hidden meanings and make the film more meaningful or impactful.

Not all interpretations or theories necessarily add something valuable to understanding a film.

Getting caught up in over-analysis can cause someone to miss what makes a film great.

Inconsistent or unsupported analyses don't hold up well in film criticism.

Good film analysis requires proper research and education on the film.

The principles of researching and avoiding over-analysis also apply to film production.

Kubrick said that detailed analysis of a supernatural thriller film can make it seem absurd.

The emotional impact of an ending scene matters more than obsessing over what it represents.

The problem with over-analyzing is sometimes missing what makes a film great.

Under-researching contributes to poor or unsupported film analysis.

When filming, Harron purposefully created uncertainty around Bateman's actions.

Kubrick took an intuitive approach to directing rather than planning meanings.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Christian Metz's Film Semiotics Part 2: Syntagmatic vs Paradigmatic

Introductory Film Studies 01: Shot Composition

Introductory Film Studies 02: Camera Angle

The Persians & Greeks: Crash Course World History #5

Basic Film Analysis – Introduction to Film

Christian Metz's Semiotic Film Theory

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating: