Of Mice And Men Summary Essay Example
Of Mice And Men Summary Essay Example

Of Mice And Men Summary Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1125 words)
  • Published: August 23, 2017
  • Type: Film Analysis
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While watching a film, we become engrossed in the narrative being presented and accept all on-screen events as natural occurrences. However, the truth is that everything we witness has been meticulously chosen and edited to elicit a desired response from viewers. The camera is manipulated and objects and characters are placed within the shot, costumes are carefully selected, and settings are purposefully constructed. Since we have previous experience with cinema and television, our expectations for what will unfold in the film are already established. We anticipate knowing what will happen next, expect a climax and resolution, and the filmmaker can even manipulate our expectations through the opening sequence.

The ways in which a filmmaker can enhance a film include using costumes, lighting, cameras, and props. How the story is told determines the audience's perspect

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ive of the film. This analysis will focus on two movie adaptations of "Of Mice and Men." In the older version, an extra scene was added to increase the amount of action, which engages viewers and conveys the director's intentions. By introducing danger to Lennie from the beginning, tension builds throughout the story as the audience anticipates when conflict will arise. The confrontation between two primary characters at the ranch is a clever technique that heightens tension whenever they are mentioned together or in the same space.

In terms of entertainment value, I believe that the movie adaptation of "Of Mice and Men" surpasses its source material, the book. The film medium allows for visual and auditory elements that may not be as noticeable in text form. This includes the skilled performances of the actors and actresses, particularly their facial expressions, a

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well as the expertly composed music soundtrack.

At the start of the film, the audience was immediately engaged with the spirited mood as Lennie and George were seen running away from pursuers. The opening sequence of the earlier version features the duo being chased by men on horses. Unlike its newer counterpart, there is no appearance of a girl. However, as a film, this scene serves as an add-on to capture attention and avoid becoming monotonous. Additionally, the music instrumentation, especially the violin, proved to be very effective.

The movie accurately reflects the setting described in the book, which is set during the 1930s Great Depression in the southern United States. This is evidenced by the heightened ethnic tensions present in the film, such as Crooks' isolation due to his skin color.

The actors' wardrobe accurately represents the time period, providing a realistic experience for the audience. Lennie and George's clothing illustrates their financial struggles, common among the population during the Great Depression. The actors' performances invoke emotional responses from the audience during various scenes.

During the movie adaptation of Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," I experienced new emotions not found in the book. For instance, when Carlson shoots Candy's dog, Candy suffers and agonizes in bed. Additionally, I felt more empathy for Curley's wife as she appeared to frequently suffer as a victim. Lastly, the final scene where George tearfully shoots Lennie was also a powerful moment.

The movie closely resembles the book in many ways. From the outset of the film, it is apparent that Lennie has a mental illness and George acts as his caregiver, much like a father figure. George's frustration with Lennie is palpable

and evident throughout the movie. In the movie, George and Lennie seek refuge in a cornfield while escaping from the posse of men on horses with dogs who are pursuing them. Diverging from the novel, the movie depicts George leaving Lennie behind, causing him to look lonely. The modern movie grabs the viewer's attention right away with a thrilling scene of George and Lennie being chased by a posse with horses and dogs, accompanied by dramatic music. During this scene, a frightened woman runs through the field.

The first movie lacked the effect of the posse chasing Lennie and George due to the absence of dogs. It also had a lower camera angle and used wide shots to establish the scene and setting before introducing the chase. In contrast, the newer movie had better video quality and editing. The director's approach increased tension and put the audience in George and Lennie's shoes. As they reached the river, they hid in the water and grass, while the camera provided close-up shots at a low level of the posse. This later zoomed into Lennie and George's view, creating added tension by involving the audience.

As the group of men with horses, dogs, and guns are nearby, the tension rises with the music having ended. We hope they don't find them being so close. Lennie and George are seen on a train heading to Soledad where their characters' relationships are revealed as well as how Lennie behaves, different from the old version of the film. The extended bus scene in the movie, like the novel, offers better insight into their characters and George's bond with Lennie.

Despite not appearing

in the novel, the train scene ramps up dramatic tension in the film through various media techniques. For instance, cross fading during camera transitions accentuates the feeling of loneliness within the scene. As the posse chases Lennie and George, the audience wonders about their motives and instinctively sympathizes with the two protagonists. The conversation between Lennie and George gradually reveals their personalities, allowing the audience to make predictions about their characters. In the second movie, when Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife and runs away, George retrieves a gun without showing Slim or informing the audience. Unaware of George's intentions, we assume he plans to flee with Lennie as in the beginning of the film. This act symbolizes the lack of change in their situation. As George finds Lennie, tension mounts and we are reminded of his predicament.

As George approaches, the posse can be heard in the background, building suspense. We believe they are about to flee, but we are shocked when George shoots Lennie while he is distracted because we had not seen him retrieve his gun. This adds excitement and drama, which is emphasized more in the film version than in the book. The film director strives to surprise the audience at every turn, unlike the book which lacks this element of surprise. The movie is condensed and only includes essential scenes, specifically the most dramatic ones that capture the film's mood. The sequence has been meticulously planned to effectively convey the intended message and impact the audience authentically.

The reason for this is that a movie has a limited time of around 15 minutes to captivate the audience, unlike a book

that can take up to 50 pages.

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