M08 Analysis Paper – Movie Analysis

Step 1

The first step in this assignment is selecting a movie/film to analyze based on concepts in Interpersonal Communication. One season of a television show will also work for this assignment, but going beyond one season is likely too much.
Step 2

Once you have your film selected, you should answer the following questions based on that movie. Be sure to completely answer each part of the question. You should explain this well enough that your professor does not even need to watch the film to understand the concepts you are referencing.

Start with a one paragraph general overview of the film, then respond to the following:

You have analyzed the characteristics of a competent communicator. Which character in this film do you think is the most competent communicator based on the traits we discussed? Why?
As you learned in this course, culture and gender have a big impact on the way we communicate. What are some of the culture and gender differences that effect interpersonal communication in the movie? Provide at least two for culture and two for gender.
Perception influences every aspect of communication. Explain how the main character’s perceptions likely affect their relationships. Then explain how your own perception influences the way you view the movie.
As we know, language is a big factor in interpersonal communication. Give at least 3 examples of language use in the movie between some of the main characters.
While language is important, we also know that nonverbal communication plays a major role in how we communicate (content vs. relational message). There are likely many facial expressions in the movie, among other nonverbal expressions, that say a lot more than words. Give at least 3 examples of nonverbal communication in the movie.
How does listening impact the way the characters in the movie relate to one another? Give at least two examples.
How do the main characters portray their emotions? Give three examples.
As we know, conflict and power are a big part of our interaction with others. Give two examples of how conflict and/or power were displayed in the movie.
The communication climate is another important aspect to consider when analyzing a communication situation. Explain one example of a supportive communication climate in the film. Also describe one example of a defensive climate.
Your choice – select any other aspect of Interpersonal Communication that has not already been discussed in the questions above and explain how it relates to the movie. For example, you could talk about some of the later chapters in the text. How is social exchange theory evident in the film? In what ways are Knapp’s Relational Stages portrayed? Pick out anything else you’d like to (that hasn’t been mentioned already in the first nine questions).

Submission Expectations

Use standard APA formatting for this assignment (12-point, double-spaced, Times New Roman type, one-inch margins, cover page, etc.) There is no required length, but responses need to answer the questions fully, including details/examples from the movie/film, and demonstrate that you understand the material covered overall in class and can relate it to the film.You should include specific details and examples. Be sure to list the answers below the questions, so do NOT write this in essay format. Make sure all of the work is original work, as this will be checked through Turnitin.

Turnitin is used for the reflections to detect any similarities to past Turnitin submissions. Once you submit your work, please look at the report that comes up, and make changes accordingly. The higher the percentage, the greater the amount of text in the submission that was highlighted as matching against information in Turnitin’s repositories.

blue (no matching words)
green (one matching word – 24% similarity index)
yellow (25-49% similarity)
orange (50-74% similarity)
red (75-100% similarity)

ANSWER

Interpersonal Communications

Malcolm and Marie

Synopsis

Malcolm and Marie come home one night after the premiership of a movie directed and produced by Malcolm, a young and talented upcoming African American producer. As he eagerly awaits the movie reviews to be posted, he notices the silence of his partner Marie. Reluctant to start a fight in the middle of the night, she gives in and explains her displeasure regarding Malcolm’s failure to thank acknowledge her in his speech at the premier. Marie was a drug addict and emotionally depressed when they met, and she believes the movie created by Malcolm was based on her. Malcolm denies this and claims that the character was based on the amalgamation of different women in society. If anything, he insists, the only attribute he incorporated in his character was the emotional distress and baggage she possesses in real life. What transpired next is a constant back and forth argument that lasts for the rest of the night. Marie believes that she should have been cast to play the woman in the movie, as the movie was ‘based on her real life. As the first critic rolls in, Malcolm is disappointed by a white woman’s critic who sees Malcolm as a breakthrough for a black producer, but not entirely on his talent. Marie mocks him over his lamenting about the critic as they are about to have sex. They start to argue again, with Marie asking again why Malcolm refused to cast her. She heads to the kitchen and brings a kitchen knife, pretending to want to harm herself. Malcolm pleads with her not to kill herself, and Marie ‘snaps out’ of her character and explains to him how her actions portray the skills of a real character. They continue to ague until Malcolm falls asleep. He wakes up to find Marie smoking outside, and they stand silent side by side, not knowing the fate of their relationship.

According to the movie, Marie is the best competent communicator. At the beginning of the movie, as Malcolm laments over critics politicizing his works, she listens to him without interruption. She observes turn-taking, only speaking as she comments and plays along with the conversation. Even after we later realize she is mad at Malcolm from the beginning, she keeps her calms and engages in the conversation without interruption, though she speaks with tones of sarcasm at times. She conveys respect for the conversation, letting Malcolm enjoy the bubble of the anticipated success of the premiere of his movie.

Gender and culture affect the interpersonal communication between people. Women value and emphasize the emotional aspect of communication, using it to express their feelings and emotions. In the movie, Marie wants to communicate on a personal level as she expresses her dissatisfaction with Malcolm failing to regard her feelings as a former drug addict and needing to be cast. Gender is also seen as playing a part in their conversation as Marie says in minute 20, “I feel like once you know someone is there for you…you never actually think of them again”. On the other hand, Malcolm uses his male ego to dominate the conversation most of the time, claiming the movie had nothing to do with her but his skills and talents only. Culture affects communication in the way individuals are socialized. Malcolm dominates the communication in the movie because his social culture thrives, as he is the center of attention as a movie producer with a breakout movie. Marie lives in the shadows as he past still haunts her inability to effectively communicate without seeming to derive her feelings from her dark past.

On perception, Malcolm’s ego and belief that his fame, recognized skill, and helping Marie get through her addiction are what is keeping the relationship alive sum up their relationship. in my own perspective, I believe that Marie is the foundation of the relationship, but Malcolm believes it deep inside. He knows she is a talented actress herself and also knows the movie was based on her past.

Language is the foundation of communication, and the movie heavily employs it. Marie uses language to show how Malcolm is not emotional attached to their relationship. She describes him as the neediest and yet the least jealous boyfriend she has ever dated. Malcolm uses language to accuse Maries of wanting to make the night be all about her while in the bathtub. He calls her solipsistic and that she sees herself in everything. Malcolm uses language to communicate his anger towards a review posted while looking for his wallet. When Marie asks him whether he checked the bedroom, he responds, “Yeah, I checked the f**cking bedroom.”

Nonverbal communication is also evident. They both storm out on different occasions. In another incident, Malcolm goes for a walk outside and fights the air to show his anger and frustration. Marie stares at the mirror deep into thought as she removes her makeup.

Both characters listen to their partners when they express themselves. Malcolm listens to Marie as she expresses disappointment for not being cast, making Malcolm see that she is right. Marie listens to Malcolm as he tells her she sees herself in everything, and her facial expressions express guilt and wanting to cry.

The main characters each portray their emotions differently. Malcolm shouts on different occasions and paces around the house. Marie is conserved in her expression, and although she cries, she is calm most of the time as she speaks.

Conflict and power are seen when Malcolm shows his egoism and consciously shows that he has power over Marie due to the success of his movie. He believes that he came up with the movie idea alone, and the positive critics as for him alone and worthwhile.

The communicative climate in the movie is mostly hostile and defensive. However, a supportive climate is seen at the beginning of the film, with Malcolm seemingly enjoying himself, a drink at hand, dancing to music, and claiming that the premiere of his movie was a success, and Marie agrees with him. A defensive climate is seen when Malcolm refuses to admit that the movie was based on Marie. As he awkwardly chews his mack and cheese, he comes up with different names like his cousin Rick as the people on who the movie was based.

References

Malcom & Marie (2021). Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12676326/