Movie Analysis: “The Martian” — Takeaways
Another in our bi-weekly series in which we analyze movies currently in release. Why? To quote the writing mantra I coined over 5 years ago: Watch movies. Read scripts. Write pages. You will note which one comes first. Here are my reflections from that post about the importance of watching movies:
To be a good screenwriter, you need to have a broad exposure to the world of film. Every movie you see is a potential reference point for your writing, everything from story concepts you generate to characters you develop to scenes you construct. Moreover people who work in the movie business constantly reference existing movies when discussing stories you write; it’s a shorthand way of getting across what they mean or envision.
But most importantly, you need to watch movies in order to ‘get’ how movie stories work. If you immerse yourself in the world of film, it’s like a Gestalt experience where you begin to grasp intuitively scene composition, story structure, character functions, dialogue and subtext, transitions and pacing, and so on.
Let me add this: It’s important to see movies as they get released so that you stay on top of the business. Decisions get made in Hollywood in large part depending upon how movies perform, so watching movies as they come out puts you in the same head space as reps, producers, execs, and buyers.
This week’s movie: The Martian, screenplay by Drew Goddard, book by Andy Weir.
Our schedule for discussion this week:
Monday: General Comments
Tuesday: Plot
Wednesday: Characters
Thursday: Themes
Friday: Takeaways
For those of you who have not seen the movie, do not click MORE as we will be trafficking in major spoilers. If you have seen The Martian, I invite you to join me in breaking down and analyzing the movie.
As of today, The Martian has grossed $249M worldwide. Even with a reported production budget of $108M, by the time this movie finishes its theatrical run, it should be into profit, and then piles of dough in additional revenues (e.g., DVD, VOD, cable).
What does that tell us?
One thing: Matt Damon is a star. Yet he has made movies which have not done well including Green Zone, Promised Land, and We Bought a Zoo. So it’s not like he guarantees a hit film.
But in this kind of role — total underdog, able to play with a range emotions, feel good movie — it smells like a hit.
So my takeaway: Write roles actors want to play. Especially stars.
How about you? What’s your takeaway from analyzing The Martian?