Essay: Updated Draft Parts
In "Movie Audiences Will Feel Romanced," Wesley Bussey critiques the
movie, Romancing the Stone. His review focuses on the performances as well as the script. Although he fails to appreciate one actor’s effectiveness, his overall assessment of the film is accurate.
While I agree with many of his points, the critic's opinion of Kathleen Turner is unfairly negative. Bussey says, “Turner is unbelievable as a mousy romance novelist.” Although the critic suggests this actress is ineffective, several scenes show Turner successfully portraying a “mousy” character. Even the simplest scene, involving a search for a tissue, reflects Turner’s ability to portray a quiet, careful, and unconfident character. In this scene,her character searches unsuccessfully for a tissue. Joan wears no make-up. Her eyes look blood shot; the appearance is that she has just been crying. Although some may suggest this reflects the talent of the make-up artist, not the actress, Turner matches these details with her physical gestures. She wanders aimlessly around the apartment; she sniffs and sighs as she checks each toilet paper roll and tissue box. She finds no tissues, and although difficult to understand, her mumblings suggest she is distraught over a quest, certainly less intense than any of the experiences of characters in her romance novels. During this entire search, her characterappears humble and self-concious. Turner casts her eyes downward. When she does glare at the camera, it is with a mixture of sadness (at being a “mousey” romance novelist) and joy (at finishing her latest book). Certainly, Turner does not look or act the glamorous part she often plays as an actress. Instead, by the time Joan looks helplessly at the “Buy Tissue” post-it note, takes it from the refrigerator, and blows her nose, her lack of strength and confidence is charmingly communicated to viewers.
Turner continues to portray the “mousey” role successfully as required in the film. For instance, when she cries while writing her romance novel before she even looks for the tissue. (This is still a sentence fragment. ? Also, again, what happens in this moment? How is Turner effective at playing this character trait here?) Her voice, movement, and clothing during these scenes as well as her physical gestures. (Focus on the sample scene you describe. Watch for a pattern of sentence fragment errors in your essays. ) As obviously demonstrated(DP) here, the critic's point is not supported by the film.
Still, I agree with Bussey's positive assessment of Danny Devito's
performance. The critic suggests, "Danny Devito is perfectly cast . . . in the comedic role of Ralph." Bussey’s point is further supported by examples, not mentioned his review. For instance, when Zolo gets in Ralph's car. ?Also, the moment when Ralph tries to steal the map from Joan's purse. ? His facial expressions and comic timing in these scenes are great. ? (How so? Focus on details, during the sample scenes you describe. What do these details show? How do they support your analysis? Also, continue to watch for a pattern of sentence fragment errors in your essays. )
Bussey also provides an accurate assessment of the film's music. He explains, “the music is playfully perfect." There is the music during the dance scene. There is the music when they are going through the hills/fields on a search for the treasure. And, especially, there is the music when Jack arrives at Joan's NY apartment at the end of the film.
(What about the music in each of these scenes makes it “playfully perfect”?)
(Topic Sentence? Your opinion of his point?)Bussey says that "the story never takes itself too seriously." The alligator scenes help show this. There are multiple scenes involving alligators, such as the scene where Jack wrestles with the alligator, the scene where Jack returns with alligator boot, and the repeated line, "Look at those snappers, will ya?" (How does each alligator scene show that "the story never takes itself too seriously"?)
In conclusion, although Bussey is a bit too critical of Turner, he and I agree overall about the positive aspects of the film. In the end, both his review and my response suggest that the film is worth the time spent to see it. In particular, movie lovers who enjoy comic action adventure films should consider renting Romancing the Stone. They may even purchase the film for their permanent movie collections.