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There are many things that motivate people and affect their behavior. In the 140’s a psychologist by the name of David I. McClelland developed a theory about human needs. This theory focused on the needs people acquired through their life experiences. It is basically an explanation of human needs that focuses on the desires for achievement, power, and affiliation that people develop as a result of their life experiences. He came up with three needs that people develop in their lifetime. The need to achieve is “the desire to do something better or more efficiently than it has ever been done before”. (Certo 87) McClelland claims that some peoples needs to achieve is so strong that it is more motivating that the quest for profits. These type people set goals that are challenging, yet achievable. They assume risks, but assess them very carefully for fear of failure. People with low need for achievement generally avoid challenges, responsibilities or risks. The need for power is “the desire to maintain close, friendly personal relationships (Certo 87). These people are motivated to influence others and to assume responsibility for subordinates’ behavior. They seek advancement and take on increasing responsibility that will earn them advancement. They are comfortable in competitive situations and enjoy the decision making role. The need for affiliation is “the desire to maintain close, friendly personal relationships (Certo 87). These people usually have a cooperative, team-centered managerial style. They influence subordinates to complete tasks through team efforts. McClelland believes that there is danger associated with this type manager and that they could possibly loose their effectiveness if their need for social acceptance and friendship interfere with their willingness to make managerial decisions. For managers to be effective, they need to be able to identify the presence of one of the three theories “in order to create work environments that are responsive to the respective need profiles (UOP Section 157)
Works Cited
Certo, Samuel C. Modern Management. 7th Ed. Prentice Hall New Jersey 17
UOP Section text
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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Accounting- Internal control
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The purpose of the system of internal accounting controls is to make sure a business is operating according to the policies and plans of management in regards with measures that have a direct relation to the protection of assets and to the reliability of accounting information. A system of internal control in a business is set up to safeguard the business’ resources against waste or fraud, to guarantee the accuracy of accounting information, to assess performance of the company and to make sure that company policies are being followed.
To attain well functioning internal control, there are certain guidelines that can be used. The first would be to establish clear lines of responsibility. Businesses should assign responsibilities to an individual or a department. Clear descriptions of each department should be recorded to avoid any possible problems later. Each type of transaction should have routine procedures to be followed in order to direct activities of the business as planned, according to company policies. Every transaction should be authorized, approved, executed and recorded. The most important measure to take is probably the subdivision of duties. By making sure that the same person or department does not handle a transaction completely from beginning to end but instead duties are divided amongst employee, the data is more reliable and will have fewer errors. With the subdivision of duties businesses should also separate accounting function from custody of assets. What this means is that an employee who has access to or is in charge of an asset should not keep the accounting record for the asset. This guideline protects the assets from inefficient use, wasting or theft. Subdivision of duties also aids in the prevention of fraud. This way one employee’s work verifies the work of the other reducing opportunities for engaging in fraud are restricted. Organizations could also adopt measures like internal auditing, financial forecasts, serially numbering documents and training personnel so that they are competent to achieve internal control.
The business I chose for my report, FGI world, is a private counseling firm with offices around the world. To ensure control over cash payments and cash receipts in the business duties are divided among the employees. One employee receives the mail. He is responsible for opening and adding all the cheques. Another person has the job of adding them up again and depositing them in the bank. The two totals are matched everyday to ensure that there are no discrepancies. In this business all payments are by cheques and no credit cards or cash payments are processed. There are also different employees to invoice the customer and to apply the payments to the customers account.
In smaller businesses in which divisions of duties would be impractical three cash related internal control practices would be to have in place a good cash register system, a daily audit of cash transactions and an audit trail.
When it comes to ensuring that all money is received and recorded for every sale made for the purpose of recording revenue a monthly reconciliation of Bank account and accounts receivable and a monthly reconciliation of budgeted revenue and actual revenue are performed. Separate journals and subsidiary ledgers have been set up. By reconciling the accounts to one another, they are proving the equality of subsidiary ledgers to the controlling accounts. This process will help identify any errors.
Since FGI is a service business not a merchandising business they do not really have an inventory. However, management ensures that other assets such as office supplies are protected from waste and fraud by having an employee you distributes supplies and has a logging book where employees receiving the supplies have to sign off. This practice helps them monitor the use of the office supplies. To ensure that fixed assets are safe every fixed asset purchase is labeled or given a serial number. An inventory count is also done on a regular basis (twice a year).
Management ensures that all financial information is reliable by dividing duties. Each transaction is handled by several employees to ensure that data is accurate. An external auditor also conducts an audit every year.
A measure that could be taken to enhance the effectiveness of internal control in this company would be to introduce internal auditing. By having internal auditors who monitor the accounting controls, the efficiency and reliability of accounting information can improve. Another step they could take is to prepare a financial forecast. That is to organize a plan of operation to set goals for each division of the business. At the end of each month when actual results are compared with forecast amounts management can inspect changes from their intended results.
Mind that the sample papers like Accounting- Internal control presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
The purpose of the system of internal accounting controls is to make sure a business is operating according to the policies and plans of management in regards with measures that have a direct relation to the protection of assets and to the reliability of accounting information. A system of internal control in a business is set up to safeguard the business’ resources against waste or fraud, to guarantee the accuracy of accounting information, to assess performance of the company and to make sure that company policies are being followed.
To attain well functioning internal control, there are certain guidelines that can be used. The first would be to establish clear lines of responsibility. Businesses should assign responsibilities to an individual or a department. Clear descriptions of each department should be recorded to avoid any possible problems later. Each type of transaction should have routine procedures to be followed in order to direct activities of the business as planned, according to company policies. Every transaction should be authorized, approved, executed and recorded. The most important measure to take is probably the subdivision of duties. By making sure that the same person or department does not handle a transaction completely from beginning to end but instead duties are divided amongst employee, the data is more reliable and will have fewer errors. With the subdivision of duties businesses should also separate accounting function from custody of assets. What this means is that an employee who has access to or is in charge of an asset should not keep the accounting record for the asset. This guideline protects the assets from inefficient use, wasting or theft. Subdivision of duties also aids in the prevention of fraud. This way one employee’s work verifies the work of the other reducing opportunities for engaging in fraud are restricted. Organizations could also adopt measures like internal auditing, financial forecasts, serially numbering documents and training personnel so that they are competent to achieve internal control.
The business I chose for my report, FGI world, is a private counseling firm with offices around the world. To ensure control over cash payments and cash receipts in the business duties are divided among the employees. One employee receives the mail. He is responsible for opening and adding all the cheques. Another person has the job of adding them up again and depositing them in the bank. The two totals are matched everyday to ensure that there are no discrepancies. In this business all payments are by cheques and no credit cards or cash payments are processed. There are also different employees to invoice the customer and to apply the payments to the customers account.
In smaller businesses in which divisions of duties would be impractical three cash related internal control practices would be to have in place a good cash register system, a daily audit of cash transactions and an audit trail.
When it comes to ensuring that all money is received and recorded for every sale made for the purpose of recording revenue a monthly reconciliation of Bank account and accounts receivable and a monthly reconciliation of budgeted revenue and actual revenue are performed. Separate journals and subsidiary ledgers have been set up. By reconciling the accounts to one another, they are proving the equality of subsidiary ledgers to the controlling accounts. This process will help identify any errors.
Since FGI is a service business not a merchandising business they do not really have an inventory. However, management ensures that other assets such as office supplies are protected from waste and fraud by having an employee you distributes supplies and has a logging book where employees receiving the supplies have to sign off. This practice helps them monitor the use of the office supplies. To ensure that fixed assets are safe every fixed asset purchase is labeled or given a serial number. An inventory count is also done on a regular basis (twice a year).
Management ensures that all financial information is reliable by dividing duties. Each transaction is handled by several employees to ensure that data is accurate. An external auditor also conducts an audit every year.
A measure that could be taken to enhance the effectiveness of internal control in this company would be to introduce internal auditing. By having internal auditors who monitor the accounting controls, the efficiency and reliability of accounting information can improve. Another step they could take is to prepare a financial forecast. That is to organize a plan of operation to set goals for each division of the business. At the end of each month when actual results are compared with forecast amounts management can inspect changes from their intended results.
Mind that the sample papers like Accounting- Internal control presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
Renaissance Art
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Renaissance Art
The Renaissance covers the 00 years between 1400 and 1600. The two principal elements of the Renaissance style are a revival of the classical forms originally developed by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and an intensified concern with secular life, in other words, an interest in humanism and affirmation of the importance of the individual. In this period, a general desire developed to examine all aspects of nature and the world. During this time, artists were no longer seen as mere artisans as in the Middle Ages, they were independent personalities.
To find a solution to formal and visual problems, most artists dedicated to scientific experimentation, and developed mathematical or linear perspective, a system in which all objects in a painting or sculpture are related both proportionally and rationally. Consequently, painters began to dedicate themselves more rigorously to the interpretation of landscape (trees, plants, flowers, mountains, etc.). Artists studied the effect of light out-of-doors and how the eye perceives all the diverse elements in nature. They developed aerial perspective, in which objects become increasingly less distinct and less sharply colored as they recede from the eye of the viewer.
Although portrait was also developed as an specific style of painting, Renaissance painters achieved the greatest freedom with the history or narrative picture in which figures within a landscape or an architectural environment act out a specific story, taken either from classical mythology or Judeo-Christian tradition. This let the painter show their characters in full range of postures and poses, as well as in diverse emotional reactions and states.
In sculpture, the most outstanding artists were Filipo Brunelleschi, who developed linear perspective and after becoming an architect he designed the dome of Florence Cathedral; Lorenzo Ghiberti, who was best known for his relieves ; and finally Donatello, one of the most influential, made expressive free-standing statues, often representing saints, as bronze David and the marble Cantoria.
The artists of high renaissance tried to express with full details the feelings of characters in the picture or sculpture in a given moment. They wanted to be sure that the viewers attention would be focused on the essence of the theme. The most important high renaissance artists were Michelangelo, who built the gigantic statue David, showing his self-control the moment before facing Goliath; Donato Bramante, an outstanding architect who built Saint Peter’s Basilica; Raphael, the leading painter in Rome, who make fresco decorations for the Stanze, a suit of four rooms at the Vatican Palace; Tiziano Vercellio (Titien), the most gifted painter in Venice, who made important works for Roman Emperor Charles V, and Finally, and perhaps the most outstanding, Leonardo da Vinci.
Mind that the sample papers like Renaissance Art presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
Renaissance Art
The Renaissance covers the 00 years between 1400 and 1600. The two principal elements of the Renaissance style are a revival of the classical forms originally developed by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and an intensified concern with secular life, in other words, an interest in humanism and affirmation of the importance of the individual. In this period, a general desire developed to examine all aspects of nature and the world. During this time, artists were no longer seen as mere artisans as in the Middle Ages, they were independent personalities.
To find a solution to formal and visual problems, most artists dedicated to scientific experimentation, and developed mathematical or linear perspective, a system in which all objects in a painting or sculpture are related both proportionally and rationally. Consequently, painters began to dedicate themselves more rigorously to the interpretation of landscape (trees, plants, flowers, mountains, etc.). Artists studied the effect of light out-of-doors and how the eye perceives all the diverse elements in nature. They developed aerial perspective, in which objects become increasingly less distinct and less sharply colored as they recede from the eye of the viewer.
Although portrait was also developed as an specific style of painting, Renaissance painters achieved the greatest freedom with the history or narrative picture in which figures within a landscape or an architectural environment act out a specific story, taken either from classical mythology or Judeo-Christian tradition. This let the painter show their characters in full range of postures and poses, as well as in diverse emotional reactions and states.
In sculpture, the most outstanding artists were Filipo Brunelleschi, who developed linear perspective and after becoming an architect he designed the dome of Florence Cathedral; Lorenzo Ghiberti, who was best known for his relieves ; and finally Donatello, one of the most influential, made expressive free-standing statues, often representing saints, as bronze David and the marble Cantoria.
The artists of high renaissance tried to express with full details the feelings of characters in the picture or sculpture in a given moment. They wanted to be sure that the viewers attention would be focused on the essence of the theme. The most important high renaissance artists were Michelangelo, who built the gigantic statue David, showing his self-control the moment before facing Goliath; Donato Bramante, an outstanding architect who built Saint Peter’s Basilica; Raphael, the leading painter in Rome, who make fresco decorations for the Stanze, a suit of four rooms at the Vatican Palace; Tiziano Vercellio (Titien), the most gifted painter in Venice, who made important works for Roman Emperor Charles V, and Finally, and perhaps the most outstanding, Leonardo da Vinci.
Mind that the sample papers like Renaissance Art presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
Critically analyse the way in which one particular signifying system is used in a film of your choice,
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In this essay, I will pay close attention to the use of the camera in Eraserhead, (David Lynch, 176), and look at the effect such camera work has on the viewer, in conjunction with other signifying systems. This film, marking Lynch’s proper debut as a director, is rife with exciting touches that, though the film has little dialogue, keeps the viewer entertained throughout. If each shot could be individually captured in a frame, they could each display an artistic quality.
The opening of this film shows Henry (John Nance) in a mid-shot, horizontal across the screen; first at the bottom, with half of his face concealed. Centre screen is an asteroid, over which Henry’s head will float in subsequent scenes, with both being visible at once. The decision to show such surreal scenes from the outset only serves as a catalyst for audience curiosity, and indeed, the film in its entirety is a cohesive blend of disturbing imagery, challenging metaphors and conceptual surrealism. After the introduction previously mentioned, the viewer is invited to roam across the surface of this asteroid; it is almost as if we are in a sort of craft, travelling in a straight line, looking downwards at its undulating, inhospitable, rocky terrain, before the dark, trench- like aperture that has occupied the central portion on the screen widens, and the shot goes into darkness. Lynch transports the viewer through a piece of sheet metal, into which a hole has been cut; it is as if we are falling in slow motion, being forced to enter the unknown, and subsequently we are shown a man on whose face there seems to be blemishes and imperfections. He is shown comparatively small, occupying only a relatively small portion on the screen; the light shining on his face reveals his gaze, and the strange marks, previously mentioned. His position in relation to the camera means that the audience sees nothing more than his left cheek; maybe he is an important figure in relation to the film as a whole, perhaps God-like, as his gaze seems purposeful, and he appears to be looking downwards slightly, as if carefully watching something; or perhaps he is just simply a further glimpse into this strange world we are exploring at the beginning. Likewise with the worm that escapes Henry’s mouth; this is maybe just a potentially repulsive image, or it is symbolic of an inner corruption or other negative thought escaping, or both, depending on the viewer’s perception. The seated figure then turns more towards the camera, and we are given a greater insight into his facial characteristics.
When we meet Henry for the first time, it is implied that he has been watching all of this introduction, because his gaze travels above and past the camera in a way that would suggest he has just viewed something surreal; his gaze is one of mystification, and he rushes off quickly, the camera static. With Henry walking away from the camera, the viewer is able to look at the surroundings, and at Henry within these, thus contextualising his presence. The flat surroundings presented to the viewer are slightly unexciting at this early stage after the introduction, but the opening of the tunnel that occupies the centre of the shot and the dark, diagonal shadow, maintains the visual presence of the film.
We subsequently see Henry walking home through a variety of angles; tracking shots, point-of-view shots, long shots, which serve as an indication of the world to which he seems to be accustomed. The long shots in particular are used when he walks through more unwelcoming and gloomy parts, in order to emphasise these parts more than others. For this film, mise-en-scène is of great importance; when Henry enters his apartment, the atmosphere is dark and dismal, and once again the camera is stationary; the viewer gets to see the lobby of the apartment for a long enough period of time, before Henry enters, to acquire the feelings of unease about the place that Lynch desires; then, we enter Henry’s room.
Almost immediately after him entering his room, we get a clear picture of what sort of person Henry is; he stares at the radiator, the point-of-view shot used moves in a slow circular motion; his gaze, and therefore ours, is long and contemplative, as if perhaps he is looking at it whilst thinking of something else; the length of this shot also gives the viewer time to acquire a slight feeling of irritation at the radiator’s persistent whistle. The point-of-view shot continues across the floor, on which there seems to be straw, or something similar, before we are shown a close-up of Henry’s seemingly troubled, unhappy face. The next shot seen through his eyes is of the window, bricked up, further emphasising his isolation, which must be the cause of his despondency. It is with deliberate ambiguity also that he stares at the picture of the girl in the way he does; it is as if he likes looking at the picture, as he does so for some time, though he doesn’t smile whilst doing this; Lynch keeps the camera in the same position, focused on his face, enabling us to scrutinize any reactions to this picture. The interloping close up shot of the picture maybe gives us a chance to see what sort of girl Henry would want to keep a photograph of, and enable us to create first impressions of her, perhaps. It is interesting also that, firstly, the photograph is in two halves, with both the halves being in entirely different parts of the drawer, and secondly, Henry throws a coin into the bowl of water in his drawer; a superstitious act that encourages wishes to come true notice how many coins are in the bowl already. Like previously with the seated figure at the window, we see only the side of Henry’s face, though enough to notice any facial expressions he may show. The angle also enables us to see into his drawer, and gives the viewer a voyeuristic quality, as though we are intruding on him looking at his personal belongings.
In most of this film, the lighting pays homage to the style of chiaroscuro. This is shown to excellent effect when Henry visits his girlfriend Mary’s house, but the use of the camera is equally interesting. The first shot of Mrs. X gives a very ominous feel; she sits with a steely glare fixed on Henry, the lighting is greatly contrasted, embodying the rules of chiaroscuro. There is a certain unity and balance to the shots in Mr. And Mrs. X’s house, as if everything has been perfectly arranged to somehow look ‘normal’, that is difficult to find in most shots in Henry’s room. The house has been shown to be slightly contradictory in the sense that the untidiness of the kitchen, with the presence of the immobile old woman, can be contrasted to the atypical verisimilitude of the lounge and dining area which seem quite customary; if these were captured in a single frame, one could be forgiven for being ignorant to the family’s curious strangeness.
The use of the deep focus shot when Mr. X is handing Henry the piece of chicken and the carving knife, shows Lynch’s attention to shot construction; the dish of chicken in the foreground is important because it is their imminent meal, (we are not aware it will not get eaten), and by Mr. X reaching into it to hand a piece to Henry, the viewer’s gaze is directed towards it. Mr. X and Henry are important because the audience will look at each of them as they speak, and observe their actions, and the small shelf unit in the background, occupying the middle of the screen, gives depth to the shot; the scene would not have the same visual presence if the corner was bare. Likewise when Mary emerges from round the door frame crying, we see both her and her father, both in focus at once; Mary reveals to us, through her crying and apparent uneasiness, the implications of the conversation Mrs. X wants with Henry, and Mr. X displays an almost imbecilic quality with his frivolous grin. Even though the set-up of the shot is simple, there is still an element of visual presence too that maintains the interest of the viewer. The chiaroscuro-esque contrasts are used to good effect when Mrs. X has this conversation with Henry; by pushing them both up into the dark corner, toward which our gaze will be directed, it gives the sequence a heavier feel of bewilderment.
When the ‘baby’ finally arrives into the film, it is handled in a way that arouses curiosity for the viewer. Mary is shown feeding this creature from such a distance from the camera that we cannot properly see what it looks like, and it is interesting to ask oneself what initial feeling we are supposed to have towards it; the set-up of the frame means that we see the bricked up window in shot also; a reminder of the lonely world this creature has been brought into therefore, should we have sympathy for it, or be disdainful of its inhumanity? Lynch offers us quite a repulsive close-up of the creature after its initial scene in the film, and it is noticeable the way Lynch treats it from then on; either allowing the shot of it to linger, so the viewer watches in preparation for the cut to the next scene, or offers a close-up, or extreme close-up to present it to us explicitly.
The conclusion of this film, at first, offers little sense of closure. However, when we consider the final scene that Lynch gives us, of Henry embracing the peculiar chipmunk lady, the ‘Lady In The Radiator’, the meaning of the numerous point-of-view shots of the radiator throughout become clear. The closing scene has a certain heavenly, ethereal quality, which would suggest that Henry is dead perhaps, therefore the strange woman would symbolize death. When we watch the film a second or third time thereafter, the shots of the radiator have the larger implication of Henry contemplating death, even suicide. The latter would mean that when the shots of the radiator are viewed again, they communicate a stronger sense of loneliness than when first seen; we are also able to read more into, and indeed want to scrutinize more closely, all facial expressions Lynch directs the viewer to through the use of close-ups, and those we seek to notice ourselves, where Henry’s face is not fully shown, (when we watch him from the high angle looking through his drawer, for example).
The dream that Henry has could also be seen as, effectively, the final realisation of his loneliness, and Lynch handles it in an interesting way; the girl from next door with whom Henry gets intimate, is shown in nothing less than a mid-shot; the addition of the close-ups serve as a chance to examine the girl, the similar shots of Henry reveal his unease to the viewer and the audience is strangely drawn into this scene, invited to become part of the intimacy. The subsequent scenes of further contemplation of death (meeting with the chipmunk lady), the beheading of Henry, and the retrieval of his head by a small boy to be made into pencil erasers are all worthy of note because everything is emphasised, and placed in the scene in a way that generates the right level of initial confusion for the viewer.
Lynch is quoted as saying this film is a “dream of dark and troubling things”¹; Henry is a dark and troubled character, who we have the chance to investigate closely, and who, like the film may lack initial perspicuity. However, Lynch, first an artist, ensures the viewer is kept involved by the use of chiaroscuro, teamed with a mise-en-scène of consistent visual curiosity. Bibliography
James Pallot and the editors of Cinebooks, “The Fourth Virgin Film Guide”, Great Britain Virgin Books, 15, pp.1-.
Mind that the sample papers like Critically analyse the way in which one particular signifying system is used in a film of your choice, presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
In this essay, I will pay close attention to the use of the camera in Eraserhead, (David Lynch, 176), and look at the effect such camera work has on the viewer, in conjunction with other signifying systems. This film, marking Lynch’s proper debut as a director, is rife with exciting touches that, though the film has little dialogue, keeps the viewer entertained throughout. If each shot could be individually captured in a frame, they could each display an artistic quality.
The opening of this film shows Henry (John Nance) in a mid-shot, horizontal across the screen; first at the bottom, with half of his face concealed. Centre screen is an asteroid, over which Henry’s head will float in subsequent scenes, with both being visible at once. The decision to show such surreal scenes from the outset only serves as a catalyst for audience curiosity, and indeed, the film in its entirety is a cohesive blend of disturbing imagery, challenging metaphors and conceptual surrealism. After the introduction previously mentioned, the viewer is invited to roam across the surface of this asteroid; it is almost as if we are in a sort of craft, travelling in a straight line, looking downwards at its undulating, inhospitable, rocky terrain, before the dark, trench- like aperture that has occupied the central portion on the screen widens, and the shot goes into darkness. Lynch transports the viewer through a piece of sheet metal, into which a hole has been cut; it is as if we are falling in slow motion, being forced to enter the unknown, and subsequently we are shown a man on whose face there seems to be blemishes and imperfections. He is shown comparatively small, occupying only a relatively small portion on the screen; the light shining on his face reveals his gaze, and the strange marks, previously mentioned. His position in relation to the camera means that the audience sees nothing more than his left cheek; maybe he is an important figure in relation to the film as a whole, perhaps God-like, as his gaze seems purposeful, and he appears to be looking downwards slightly, as if carefully watching something; or perhaps he is just simply a further glimpse into this strange world we are exploring at the beginning. Likewise with the worm that escapes Henry’s mouth; this is maybe just a potentially repulsive image, or it is symbolic of an inner corruption or other negative thought escaping, or both, depending on the viewer’s perception. The seated figure then turns more towards the camera, and we are given a greater insight into his facial characteristics.
When we meet Henry for the first time, it is implied that he has been watching all of this introduction, because his gaze travels above and past the camera in a way that would suggest he has just viewed something surreal; his gaze is one of mystification, and he rushes off quickly, the camera static. With Henry walking away from the camera, the viewer is able to look at the surroundings, and at Henry within these, thus contextualising his presence. The flat surroundings presented to the viewer are slightly unexciting at this early stage after the introduction, but the opening of the tunnel that occupies the centre of the shot and the dark, diagonal shadow, maintains the visual presence of the film.
We subsequently see Henry walking home through a variety of angles; tracking shots, point-of-view shots, long shots, which serve as an indication of the world to which he seems to be accustomed. The long shots in particular are used when he walks through more unwelcoming and gloomy parts, in order to emphasise these parts more than others. For this film, mise-en-scène is of great importance; when Henry enters his apartment, the atmosphere is dark and dismal, and once again the camera is stationary; the viewer gets to see the lobby of the apartment for a long enough period of time, before Henry enters, to acquire the feelings of unease about the place that Lynch desires; then, we enter Henry’s room.
Almost immediately after him entering his room, we get a clear picture of what sort of person Henry is; he stares at the radiator, the point-of-view shot used moves in a slow circular motion; his gaze, and therefore ours, is long and contemplative, as if perhaps he is looking at it whilst thinking of something else; the length of this shot also gives the viewer time to acquire a slight feeling of irritation at the radiator’s persistent whistle. The point-of-view shot continues across the floor, on which there seems to be straw, or something similar, before we are shown a close-up of Henry’s seemingly troubled, unhappy face. The next shot seen through his eyes is of the window, bricked up, further emphasising his isolation, which must be the cause of his despondency. It is with deliberate ambiguity also that he stares at the picture of the girl in the way he does; it is as if he likes looking at the picture, as he does so for some time, though he doesn’t smile whilst doing this; Lynch keeps the camera in the same position, focused on his face, enabling us to scrutinize any reactions to this picture. The interloping close up shot of the picture maybe gives us a chance to see what sort of girl Henry would want to keep a photograph of, and enable us to create first impressions of her, perhaps. It is interesting also that, firstly, the photograph is in two halves, with both the halves being in entirely different parts of the drawer, and secondly, Henry throws a coin into the bowl of water in his drawer; a superstitious act that encourages wishes to come true notice how many coins are in the bowl already. Like previously with the seated figure at the window, we see only the side of Henry’s face, though enough to notice any facial expressions he may show. The angle also enables us to see into his drawer, and gives the viewer a voyeuristic quality, as though we are intruding on him looking at his personal belongings.
In most of this film, the lighting pays homage to the style of chiaroscuro. This is shown to excellent effect when Henry visits his girlfriend Mary’s house, but the use of the camera is equally interesting. The first shot of Mrs. X gives a very ominous feel; she sits with a steely glare fixed on Henry, the lighting is greatly contrasted, embodying the rules of chiaroscuro. There is a certain unity and balance to the shots in Mr. And Mrs. X’s house, as if everything has been perfectly arranged to somehow look ‘normal’, that is difficult to find in most shots in Henry’s room. The house has been shown to be slightly contradictory in the sense that the untidiness of the kitchen, with the presence of the immobile old woman, can be contrasted to the atypical verisimilitude of the lounge and dining area which seem quite customary; if these were captured in a single frame, one could be forgiven for being ignorant to the family’s curious strangeness.
The use of the deep focus shot when Mr. X is handing Henry the piece of chicken and the carving knife, shows Lynch’s attention to shot construction; the dish of chicken in the foreground is important because it is their imminent meal, (we are not aware it will not get eaten), and by Mr. X reaching into it to hand a piece to Henry, the viewer’s gaze is directed towards it. Mr. X and Henry are important because the audience will look at each of them as they speak, and observe their actions, and the small shelf unit in the background, occupying the middle of the screen, gives depth to the shot; the scene would not have the same visual presence if the corner was bare. Likewise when Mary emerges from round the door frame crying, we see both her and her father, both in focus at once; Mary reveals to us, through her crying and apparent uneasiness, the implications of the conversation Mrs. X wants with Henry, and Mr. X displays an almost imbecilic quality with his frivolous grin. Even though the set-up of the shot is simple, there is still an element of visual presence too that maintains the interest of the viewer. The chiaroscuro-esque contrasts are used to good effect when Mrs. X has this conversation with Henry; by pushing them both up into the dark corner, toward which our gaze will be directed, it gives the sequence a heavier feel of bewilderment.
When the ‘baby’ finally arrives into the film, it is handled in a way that arouses curiosity for the viewer. Mary is shown feeding this creature from such a distance from the camera that we cannot properly see what it looks like, and it is interesting to ask oneself what initial feeling we are supposed to have towards it; the set-up of the frame means that we see the bricked up window in shot also; a reminder of the lonely world this creature has been brought into therefore, should we have sympathy for it, or be disdainful of its inhumanity? Lynch offers us quite a repulsive close-up of the creature after its initial scene in the film, and it is noticeable the way Lynch treats it from then on; either allowing the shot of it to linger, so the viewer watches in preparation for the cut to the next scene, or offers a close-up, or extreme close-up to present it to us explicitly.
The conclusion of this film, at first, offers little sense of closure. However, when we consider the final scene that Lynch gives us, of Henry embracing the peculiar chipmunk lady, the ‘Lady In The Radiator’, the meaning of the numerous point-of-view shots of the radiator throughout become clear. The closing scene has a certain heavenly, ethereal quality, which would suggest that Henry is dead perhaps, therefore the strange woman would symbolize death. When we watch the film a second or third time thereafter, the shots of the radiator have the larger implication of Henry contemplating death, even suicide. The latter would mean that when the shots of the radiator are viewed again, they communicate a stronger sense of loneliness than when first seen; we are also able to read more into, and indeed want to scrutinize more closely, all facial expressions Lynch directs the viewer to through the use of close-ups, and those we seek to notice ourselves, where Henry’s face is not fully shown, (when we watch him from the high angle looking through his drawer, for example).
The dream that Henry has could also be seen as, effectively, the final realisation of his loneliness, and Lynch handles it in an interesting way; the girl from next door with whom Henry gets intimate, is shown in nothing less than a mid-shot; the addition of the close-ups serve as a chance to examine the girl, the similar shots of Henry reveal his unease to the viewer and the audience is strangely drawn into this scene, invited to become part of the intimacy. The subsequent scenes of further contemplation of death (meeting with the chipmunk lady), the beheading of Henry, and the retrieval of his head by a small boy to be made into pencil erasers are all worthy of note because everything is emphasised, and placed in the scene in a way that generates the right level of initial confusion for the viewer.
Lynch is quoted as saying this film is a “dream of dark and troubling things”¹; Henry is a dark and troubled character, who we have the chance to investigate closely, and who, like the film may lack initial perspicuity. However, Lynch, first an artist, ensures the viewer is kept involved by the use of chiaroscuro, teamed with a mise-en-scène of consistent visual curiosity. Bibliography
James Pallot and the editors of Cinebooks, “The Fourth Virgin Film Guide”, Great Britain Virgin Books, 15, pp.1-.
Mind that the sample papers like Critically analyse the way in which one particular signifying system is used in a film of your choice, presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Companions
We are ready to represent the best custom paper writing assistance that can cope with any task like Companions even at the eleventh hour. The matter is that we posses the greatest base of expert writers. Our staff of freelance writers includes approximately 300 experienced writers are at your disposal all year round. They are striving to provide the best ever services to the most desperate students that have already lost the hope for academic success. We offer the range of the most widely required, however, not recommended for college use papers. It is advisable to use our examples like Companions in learning at public-education level. Get prepared and be smart with our best essay samples cheap and fast! Get in touch and we will write excellent custom coursework or essay especially for you.
In our lives we meet many people. Some we remember and call our friends, others pass and are called acquaintances. Yet those who instill a lasting impression of their support and confidence in us will always be, a companion. I was lucky enough to have had a person like this in my life to assist in showing me my true potential.
Charlene Farley was more than a family friend to me; she shared the same interests and ideals as I did. Char was a strong independent woman who knew that wherever her life took her, she would be able to adjust. She had been married and divorced twice, owned and managed a company, and always made sure she was a mother to her four children. She reached out to my family whenever we were in a predicament that seemed to have no solution.
She was the accountant for her company and loved math. While I was on my way to a new town, Channahon, and on to junior high. Our new house was not completely finished when our old house was sold, so Char insisted we stay with her. At that point Char was past being a friend; she was like a second mother to me. She always made sure her kids, myself included, had finished their homework before anything else.
When I transferred, I was supposed to be placed in a higher level of Science, English, and Math. The new junior high only offered the subjects English and Math in a higher level. At this new junior high I was not recommended to take those classes even with my transcripts so I was placed in regular. After a couple of months fighting for it I was accepted in to the higher math, Pre-Algebra, but not the English. The one problem I had was that I was now almost a month behind in learning the material the rest of the kids had already learned. The first day of my new class I was given all of the necessary material to teach myself and catch up, but these were things I had never seen before. When I got home that day I showed Char, knowing her excellence in math and she taught me up to and beyond what I needed to know for class in two days. From then on every night at dinner we would discuss my math class, and she was my personal teacher for when I did not understand something.
After we moved out and I began eighth grade, my family and I were shocked to find out that Char had been diagnosed with emphazema. Yet, by looking at her you would never tell. Her perspective on life did not change after she found out, and she did not expect to be treated differently because of her diagnosis. She remained strong while others crumbled to the horrendous news, and she insisted on doing things that most thought she could not. We still had our conversations about math, and she always finished it with, “You’re a smart boy, and even without me you will be a master mathematician.”
To this day I excel in math and always try my best in all I do. I thank Char everyday for helping me to see my full potential and for teaching me math. For her I will become the greatest of mathematicians and the best at what I choose to do. My companion Char lost her battle with cancer my sophomore year in high school. She is missed dearly and will never be forgotten.
Mind that the sample papers like Companions presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
In our lives we meet many people. Some we remember and call our friends, others pass and are called acquaintances. Yet those who instill a lasting impression of their support and confidence in us will always be, a companion. I was lucky enough to have had a person like this in my life to assist in showing me my true potential.
Charlene Farley was more than a family friend to me; she shared the same interests and ideals as I did. Char was a strong independent woman who knew that wherever her life took her, she would be able to adjust. She had been married and divorced twice, owned and managed a company, and always made sure she was a mother to her four children. She reached out to my family whenever we were in a predicament that seemed to have no solution.
She was the accountant for her company and loved math. While I was on my way to a new town, Channahon, and on to junior high. Our new house was not completely finished when our old house was sold, so Char insisted we stay with her. At that point Char was past being a friend; she was like a second mother to me. She always made sure her kids, myself included, had finished their homework before anything else.
When I transferred, I was supposed to be placed in a higher level of Science, English, and Math. The new junior high only offered the subjects English and Math in a higher level. At this new junior high I was not recommended to take those classes even with my transcripts so I was placed in regular. After a couple of months fighting for it I was accepted in to the higher math, Pre-Algebra, but not the English. The one problem I had was that I was now almost a month behind in learning the material the rest of the kids had already learned. The first day of my new class I was given all of the necessary material to teach myself and catch up, but these were things I had never seen before. When I got home that day I showed Char, knowing her excellence in math and she taught me up to and beyond what I needed to know for class in two days. From then on every night at dinner we would discuss my math class, and she was my personal teacher for when I did not understand something.
After we moved out and I began eighth grade, my family and I were shocked to find out that Char had been diagnosed with emphazema. Yet, by looking at her you would never tell. Her perspective on life did not change after she found out, and she did not expect to be treated differently because of her diagnosis. She remained strong while others crumbled to the horrendous news, and she insisted on doing things that most thought she could not. We still had our conversations about math, and she always finished it with, “You’re a smart boy, and even without me you will be a master mathematician.”
To this day I excel in math and always try my best in all I do. I thank Char everyday for helping me to see my full potential and for teaching me math. For her I will become the greatest of mathematicians and the best at what I choose to do. My companion Char lost her battle with cancer my sophomore year in high school. She is missed dearly and will never be forgotten.
Mind that the sample papers like Companions presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
Monday, September 3, 2012
"The Lost Weekend"Film Noir or Not
We are ready to represent the best custom paper writing assistance that can cope with any task like "The Lost Weekend"Film Noir or Not even at the eleventh hour. The matter is that we posses the greatest base of expert writers. Our staff of freelance writers includes approximately 300 experienced writers are at your disposal all year round. They are striving to provide the best ever services to the most desperate students that have already lost the hope for academic success. We offer the range of the most widely required, however, not recommended for college use papers. It is advisable to use our examples like "The Lost Weekend"Film Noir or Not in learning at public-education level. Get prepared and be smart with our best essay samples cheap and fast! Get in touch and we will write excellent custom coursework or essay especially for you.
Matt Cowell Film Noir
Sept, 8th 00 Dr. Greta A. Niu
“The Lost Weekend”
Film Noir or Not
Though “The Lost Weekend” is considered to be film noir, there are major differences between it and other classic film noir movies. What makes The Lost Weekend a film noir movie? As we have seen The Lost Weekend has no femme fatale, no mystery, murder, private eye, and none of the leading ladies is particularly sultry or sensual. However as I analyzed the film there are many key areas in which The Lost Weekend is similar to other film noir movies. As I took a closer look I found some interesting parallels between alcohol and the classic femme fatale. The use of lighting in The Lost Weekend is also extremely important to show the despair and demise of Don Birnam and is a trademark of film noir. I will also show how the internal struggle that Don is dealing with parallels other classic film noir movies. Finally I will prove that the ending in The Lost Weekend is a prime example of a film noir and that this movie is indeed film noir.
First, I believe that there is a femme fatale in this movie. Although we do not see a sensual woman who is manipulating men and using her sexuality as a tool to conquer men; we do have something in this movie that takes the place of the femme fatale. This substitute or alternate femme fatale has many of the qualities that a femme fatale posses. It is alluring, mysterious, controlling, manipulative, it makes men think irrationally, and it can also be deadly. What I am describing is the classic femme fatale character and in The Lost Weekend I believe that alcohol plays this role perfectly. Alcohol has become the alluring and sensual pleasure in Don Birnams life. Alcohol has such a controlling grasp on his life he can’t live without it. Don’s lust for alcohol and desire to posses it is in many ways similar to both Walter Neff’s desire for Phyllis in Double Indemnity as well as Michael O’Hara’s desire for Elsa Bannister in The Lady From Shanghai. Don’s lust for alcohol drives him to do irrational acts of desperation. For example he searches all day to find a pawn shop that is open so he can sell his typewriter in exchange for booze. Walter Neff’s desire for Phyllis drives him to ultimately murder her husband, and Michael O’Hara decides to kill Grisby in exchange for money and a chance at starting a new life with Elsa. This alone does not classify The Lost Weekend as film noir, however it is just one similarity.
The lighting in most film noir is typically moody, dark and is often used to show which characters are in control of the situation or in this case out of control. When Don is in the apartment and he sees the mouse the room is very dark. Helen enters the room and turns the lights on helping Don regain control of his consciousness and regain his grip on reality. Lighting is of extreme importance in a film noir movie and The Lost Weekend is no different. In many film noir light is used to cast shadows on figures while illuminating other parts of the frame. A good example of this would be in Double Indemnity when Water Neff enters Phyllis’s house after the murder. Phyllis is sitting in chair with the lights out, however there is light through the blinds in the window creating a moody atmosphere as streaks of shadow and light are sprayed across the walls. The use of lighting in The Lost Weekend is very similar in the scene when Don is in the alcoholics ward. There is light shining through the double door entrance to the ward and the window is crisscrossed with metal that creates diamond shapes. The light passing through the window creates a shadow on Don much as it did in Double Indemnity. The use of the lighting gives you the impression of prison bars in both instances. This use of lighting helps the viewer in that it builds upon the mood and gives a creepy feeling that something is just not quite right in the scene.
In many film noir movies there is also this internal conflict between good and evil. In The Lady From Shanghai Michael O’Hara is battling the desire and lust for Elsa and his need to escape her. Walter Neff is also battling his lust for Phyllis and his own morality. In The Lost Weekend Don’s internal battle is against his desire for alcohol and his desire to be a successful writer. Though the internal struggles for both Michael and Walter are against acts to commit murder or in Michaels case to confess to murder. Don’s struggle is not for someone else’s life but it is a battle for his own life. He is constantly struggling and losing to the desire to kill himself by use of alcohol. This desire ultimately causes him to purchase a gun to end his own life. All of these men are in a battle for their souls, each is lured into this struggle by the femme fatale which in Don’s case is the alcohol. At the end of Double Indemnity and The Lady from Shanghai both Water and Michael have lost the battle, neither of the men gets the girl or the money and both are worse off than they were before. This is not the case with Don however. At the end of The Lost Weekend we are left with a sense of hope that Don will conquer his battle against alcohol and become the great writer he wants to be.
This ending is not a typical ending for a film noir and is cause for debate that The Lost Weekend is not in fact film noir. At the end of the movie Don gets the girl, appears to win the struggle against his evil desires, and is headed toward a successful career as a writer. However in the movie there is a reoccurring theme. This theme or thematic element is the idea of the circle. A circle has no beginning and no end. The idea of a circle gives us the feeling that Don’s struggle is not over at the end of the movie, he is just back at the place where we saw him at the beginning of the movie. The most vivid example of this circle that Don can’t escape is when he is back at his brother’s apartment and he sees the mouse chewing through the wall. A bat then appears at the window and flies inside the room. The bat begins flying circles around Don’s head and it then sees the mouse trying to escape from the wall and pounces on the mouse killing it in bloody fashion. This vivid and disturbing scene gives us a visual picture of the internal battle that Don is going through. Don is represented by the mouse trying to chew it way out of the wall. This symbol of the mouse is portraying Don as he is struggling to free himself from the addiction of alcoholism. The bat is the vicious cycle of alcoholism and the hopelessness of Don’s plight. However you view the ending this movie it is a wonderful example of film noir. This ending may not be as dark as other film noir movies, however the thematic material certainly paints a darker picture of Don’s future than do other film noir movies.
Though The Lost Weekend may not appear to be a film noir movie if you breakdown the details in the movie it is a clear example of film noir. From the lighting, the psychologically dark theme of man’s struggle against himself as well as the hopeless ending, it is clear that is movie lends itself to the film noir genre. I believe that this movie is the best example of film noir we have seen so far. This movie dealt with a much darker and much more real theme than any other film noir movie. Not only was the lighting moody and dark, but the film also portrayed the dark and
deep chasm of the human mind and showed it’s viewer the horrible side of our mental struggles. This movie I believe stands apart from the other film noir movies in that is gives us a more accurate glimpse into the human battle against our own self-destructive nature and our desire to better ourselves.
Kaplan, E. Ann, “Women in film noir”, British Film Institute, 18Pages 47 - 6
Wruck, Neal, “The Lost Weekend” Review, www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/601005740/10-6515408-461768?v=glance, May 15th, 00
Mind that the sample papers like "The Lost Weekend"Film Noir or Not presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
Matt Cowell Film Noir
Sept, 8th 00 Dr. Greta A. Niu
“The Lost Weekend”
Film Noir or Not
Though “The Lost Weekend” is considered to be film noir, there are major differences between it and other classic film noir movies. What makes The Lost Weekend a film noir movie? As we have seen The Lost Weekend has no femme fatale, no mystery, murder, private eye, and none of the leading ladies is particularly sultry or sensual. However as I analyzed the film there are many key areas in which The Lost Weekend is similar to other film noir movies. As I took a closer look I found some interesting parallels between alcohol and the classic femme fatale. The use of lighting in The Lost Weekend is also extremely important to show the despair and demise of Don Birnam and is a trademark of film noir. I will also show how the internal struggle that Don is dealing with parallels other classic film noir movies. Finally I will prove that the ending in The Lost Weekend is a prime example of a film noir and that this movie is indeed film noir.
First, I believe that there is a femme fatale in this movie. Although we do not see a sensual woman who is manipulating men and using her sexuality as a tool to conquer men; we do have something in this movie that takes the place of the femme fatale. This substitute or alternate femme fatale has many of the qualities that a femme fatale posses. It is alluring, mysterious, controlling, manipulative, it makes men think irrationally, and it can also be deadly. What I am describing is the classic femme fatale character and in The Lost Weekend I believe that alcohol plays this role perfectly. Alcohol has become the alluring and sensual pleasure in Don Birnams life. Alcohol has such a controlling grasp on his life he can’t live without it. Don’s lust for alcohol and desire to posses it is in many ways similar to both Walter Neff’s desire for Phyllis in Double Indemnity as well as Michael O’Hara’s desire for Elsa Bannister in The Lady From Shanghai. Don’s lust for alcohol drives him to do irrational acts of desperation. For example he searches all day to find a pawn shop that is open so he can sell his typewriter in exchange for booze. Walter Neff’s desire for Phyllis drives him to ultimately murder her husband, and Michael O’Hara decides to kill Grisby in exchange for money and a chance at starting a new life with Elsa. This alone does not classify The Lost Weekend as film noir, however it is just one similarity.
The lighting in most film noir is typically moody, dark and is often used to show which characters are in control of the situation or in this case out of control. When Don is in the apartment and he sees the mouse the room is very dark. Helen enters the room and turns the lights on helping Don regain control of his consciousness and regain his grip on reality. Lighting is of extreme importance in a film noir movie and The Lost Weekend is no different. In many film noir light is used to cast shadows on figures while illuminating other parts of the frame. A good example of this would be in Double Indemnity when Water Neff enters Phyllis’s house after the murder. Phyllis is sitting in chair with the lights out, however there is light through the blinds in the window creating a moody atmosphere as streaks of shadow and light are sprayed across the walls. The use of lighting in The Lost Weekend is very similar in the scene when Don is in the alcoholics ward. There is light shining through the double door entrance to the ward and the window is crisscrossed with metal that creates diamond shapes. The light passing through the window creates a shadow on Don much as it did in Double Indemnity. The use of the lighting gives you the impression of prison bars in both instances. This use of lighting helps the viewer in that it builds upon the mood and gives a creepy feeling that something is just not quite right in the scene.
In many film noir movies there is also this internal conflict between good and evil. In The Lady From Shanghai Michael O’Hara is battling the desire and lust for Elsa and his need to escape her. Walter Neff is also battling his lust for Phyllis and his own morality. In The Lost Weekend Don’s internal battle is against his desire for alcohol and his desire to be a successful writer. Though the internal struggles for both Michael and Walter are against acts to commit murder or in Michaels case to confess to murder. Don’s struggle is not for someone else’s life but it is a battle for his own life. He is constantly struggling and losing to the desire to kill himself by use of alcohol. This desire ultimately causes him to purchase a gun to end his own life. All of these men are in a battle for their souls, each is lured into this struggle by the femme fatale which in Don’s case is the alcohol. At the end of Double Indemnity and The Lady from Shanghai both Water and Michael have lost the battle, neither of the men gets the girl or the money and both are worse off than they were before. This is not the case with Don however. At the end of The Lost Weekend we are left with a sense of hope that Don will conquer his battle against alcohol and become the great writer he wants to be.
This ending is not a typical ending for a film noir and is cause for debate that The Lost Weekend is not in fact film noir. At the end of the movie Don gets the girl, appears to win the struggle against his evil desires, and is headed toward a successful career as a writer. However in the movie there is a reoccurring theme. This theme or thematic element is the idea of the circle. A circle has no beginning and no end. The idea of a circle gives us the feeling that Don’s struggle is not over at the end of the movie, he is just back at the place where we saw him at the beginning of the movie. The most vivid example of this circle that Don can’t escape is when he is back at his brother’s apartment and he sees the mouse chewing through the wall. A bat then appears at the window and flies inside the room. The bat begins flying circles around Don’s head and it then sees the mouse trying to escape from the wall and pounces on the mouse killing it in bloody fashion. This vivid and disturbing scene gives us a visual picture of the internal battle that Don is going through. Don is represented by the mouse trying to chew it way out of the wall. This symbol of the mouse is portraying Don as he is struggling to free himself from the addiction of alcoholism. The bat is the vicious cycle of alcoholism and the hopelessness of Don’s plight. However you view the ending this movie it is a wonderful example of film noir. This ending may not be as dark as other film noir movies, however the thematic material certainly paints a darker picture of Don’s future than do other film noir movies.
Though The Lost Weekend may not appear to be a film noir movie if you breakdown the details in the movie it is a clear example of film noir. From the lighting, the psychologically dark theme of man’s struggle against himself as well as the hopeless ending, it is clear that is movie lends itself to the film noir genre. I believe that this movie is the best example of film noir we have seen so far. This movie dealt with a much darker and much more real theme than any other film noir movie. Not only was the lighting moody and dark, but the film also portrayed the dark and
deep chasm of the human mind and showed it’s viewer the horrible side of our mental struggles. This movie I believe stands apart from the other film noir movies in that is gives us a more accurate glimpse into the human battle against our own self-destructive nature and our desire to better ourselves.
Kaplan, E. Ann, “Women in film noir”, British Film Institute, 18Pages 47 - 6
Wruck, Neal, “The Lost Weekend” Review, www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/601005740/10-6515408-461768?v=glance, May 15th, 00
Mind that the sample papers like "The Lost Weekend"Film Noir or Not presented are to be used for review only. In order to warn you and eliminate any plagiarism writing intentions, it is highly recommended not to use the essays in class. In cases you experience difficulties with essay writing in class and for in class use, order original papers with our expert writers. Cheap custom papers can be written from scratch for each customer that entrusts his or her academic success to our writing team. Order your unique assignment from the best custom writing services cheap and fast!
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