Why these films were made

Hello!

Task 3: Keeping to the same three films research information about the film – demonstrating why you think the film was made. 

Gone Girl

This film is based on author, Gillian Flynn's, best-selling novel (of the same name). Flynn is said to be interested in exploring the psychology and dynamics of long-term relationships and wanted to examine how people within marriage lie to each other. She explored different themes in the novel which has appeared in the film respectively. The theme of feminism has made appearance. Flynn is self-identified feminist and Amy's 'pragmatically evil' character and non-conformity to the traditional perception of women being good characters are the epitome of feminism which she defined as 'the ability to have women who are bad characters'. She also wanted to express the sense of bankruptcy that both individuals, Amy and Nick, feel when economy falls. Both characters have lost their jobs and moved to town slightly populated by poverty. "I wanted the whole thing to feel bankrupt ... I wanted it to really feel like a marriage that had been hollowed out in a city that had been hollowed out and a country that was increasingly hollowed out," said Flynn.

One of the film's executive producers, Leslie Dixon, read the manuscript of the novel in 2011 and following the release of the novel in June 2012, 20th Century Fox optioned the book in a deal. Flynn wanted to be responsible for the first draft of the screenplay and submitted her first draft in December 2012. David Fincher, the director, expressed his interest on the project. Fincher has agreed to work with Flynn on the making of the film and Flynn expressed that "... he [Fincher] responded to the first draft and we have kind of similar sensibilities. We liked the same things about the book, and we wanted the same thing out of the movie."

Juno

Juno is a film that the younger audiences may relate to. Diablo Cody, the film's writer, has adapted the film from her own personal experiences as well as her close friend's who got pregnant in high school such as mistreatment from an ultrasound technician. 

Some critics have interpreted the film as having pro-life theme. Critic, AO Scott from NewYork Times, thinks Juno has "an underlying theme, a message that is not anti-abortion but rather pro-adulthood". Ellen Page, who played Juno, and Cody have openly stated they are pro-choice and Jason Reitman, the director, strongly agrees that it was "fantastic" that pro-life and pro-choice groups were embracing the film and states "Juno seems to be a mirror, and people [on both sides] see themselves in it." 

The theme of feminism has been shown as well as Juno is portrayed as a confident and intelligent teenager. Antifeminist Phyllis Schlafy commented that this theme "isn't love, romance, or respect for life, but the triumph of feminist ideology, i.e., the irrelevancy of men, especially fathers" therefore young adults who are dealing with the same situation are seen in a positive light which was Cody's aim and Page praised the film for this and describes her character as "honest but original, completely devoid of stereotype".

Most importantly, this film shows teenage pregnancy in a positive light which helps teenagers dealing with the same problem feel enlighten.

Shifty

The producers wanted to create a film that  teenagers who are dealing with gambling, drug addiction, those who live in poor areas and more could relate to, hence, the creation of Shifty. Shifty not only show these but also explores the universal theme of friendship in order for the audience to further relate to as well as making the location familiar to cinema goers. 


Nina
19.09.17