Description of Assignment:

The purpose of this essay will be to evaluate, critique, and analyze Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. This film is widely regarded as the greatest example of technical and narrative filmmaking, in any language. You will chose a set of criteria to use to analyze the film, its meaning, its themes, its techniques to better understand how it functions, and along the way, argue with the critics that hold such a high opinion of the film. 

Organization:

The introduction of this essay should give the audience background information on the film or filmmakers, put it in context (the time and place of its creation) and end with your thesis, which should argue for a clear opinion about the film and introduces us to the criteria you will use to evaluate the film. Remember to include a title that reflects your feelings about the film. 

The body will analyze parts of the film to support your evaluative stance. This should be done by reaching logical conclusions about what it means or its impact on culture or society, but also by using outside sources to support those conclusions. Find a set of criteria against which you can judge the film, such as dialogue, setting, framing and photography, subject matter, theme, character development, visual metaphors, use of sound or music, acting or editing. Throughout the body, try to find ways to incorporate quotes from the film. Avoid summarizing the plot.

The conclusion of the essay should re-emphasize your feelings about the film, but also why it is worth watching or considering. How does it challenge the viewer? How does it inform us?

Requirements:

1. Identify the issues and questions the film raises. Pay close attention to how the form of the film works with the content of the film.
2. Construct an explicit thesis that best suits your audience and purpose.
3. Include MLA formatting, including documentation and in-text citations.

Technical Details:

1. The paper must be 3 pages in length, comprised of multiple paragraphs, including an introduction and conclusion.
2. Use 12-point font, Times New Roman (final draft must be typed), double-spaced.
3. MLA formatted with using at least three meaningful sources, including your primary source (Vertigo), and a works cited page.