Collaboration | Lecture [4] Character & Storytelling
Review a film focusing on the breakdown of two opposing characters:
Character 1: Bruce Waye/'Batman'
Personal History
'The Dark Knight' alludes to Bruce's backstory, but- unlike the prequel- doesn't focus on his origin story as 'Batman'.
Instead the film quickly establishes the protagonist as a charismatic billionaire, living the 'high life', schmoozing with guests at his penthouse in Gotham City Central, while comfortably running a dominating business.
As a character he's a history of sarcasm and kidding around ("Harvey may not know you well enough to understand when you're making fun of him, but I do"), irresponsibility ("you weren't protecting the van?" "Why? What was it doing?... Do you think I should go to the hospital?"... "You don't watch a whole lot of news, do you Wayne?"), and relaxed to the point of annoyance (i.e. falling asleep in a meeting he organised).
Despite this outward act however, he's in fact quite solidarity and firm in his ideologies.
He places the needs of the bigger picture over his own ("it's what needs to be done").
This translates across to his alter-ego: 'Batman', at a new stage of his life wherein he's established himself as a force to be reckoned with... but has become burdened by that power, and is beginning to learn the difference between attaining power (so to avenge his parents killers) and retaining it (for less personal means- fighting crime as a whole).
Time and time again we see Bruce bring up the idea of retiring as 'Batman', mulling over the idea of an ordinary life with Rachel Dawes, and letting go his parents deaths instead of harnessing this rage and dedicating his life to revenge.
Personal world view
Has a strong sense of 'justice', often fighting crime, but never to kill others himself.
He looks upon order and law as necessary procedure to 'control' Gotham, and works with Commissioner Gordon to help 'clean up the streets' of Gotham.
Inherited world
Gotham City, the hub for criminal activity and terrorism. The world of 'Batman', the vigilante who stands aside from the law to eradicate injustice.
Wants (goals)
Prior to the film, 'The Batman's' goal was to avenge his parents, and harness that rage as a means of fighting for justice. In 'The Dark Knight' however, Bruce finds himself in a position where his wants now revolve around acceptance, and a settled life away from crime. His actions revolve around using Harvey Dent as the next person to take his place- leaving him free to retire as 'Batman' for good.
Needs
Acceptance, retiring of Batman, without large-scale consequence.
Flaws etc.
The idea that Batman is untouchable, while Bruce himself is susceptible to physical limits.
This inability to turn a blind eye, having invested so much in his work. He's unable to fulfil his own needs, until he knows for sure that justice will continue after he's gone.
His inability to kill (in plot terms only), as 'The Joker' continues to wreck havoc across Gotham.
His need for revenge, which is overcome in this film, as he begins to consider life away from 'The Batman'.
Dualism:
In
- Mourning the death of his parents.
- Justice oriented.
- Likes the adrenaline rush
- Enjoys giving the impression of social power
- Wants to kill (even if he doesn't act on it) | Not entirely with the law ("don't talk like one of them. You're not. Even if you'd like to be").
Out
-Fights Crime
- Invites everyone to his penthouse, so they can appreciate his power as founder of 'Wayne Enterprises'.
- Puts a chair against the door, so he can beat up 'The Joker' uninterrupted.
Value Change in a Scene: The Death of Harvey Dent
Personal History
Psychopathic criminal mastermind, 'Joker' has a mixed range of 'backstories', often changing his past every time he refers back to it.
He stands aside from society, and also the criminal underworld he roams- with other gangs viewing him as a psychotic outsider.
His appearance comes from makeup as opposed to chemical bleaching (as is his traditional portrayal across the comics, and other canon texts), which is described as 'war-paint' by those working under him.
He defines himself by his conflict with 'Batman', and sees their fights as the only thing making life exciting/worth living.
Personal World View
He embodies the "agent of chaos". An unstoppable force that stomps over typical 'desire', and other wishes (money, wealth, power etc.), by only following plans for the singular reason of mocking societies false sense of security and humanity ("You’ll see, I’ll show you, that when the chips are down, these uh… civilized people, they’ll eat each other.")
Inherited World
Gotham City, the hub for criminal activity and terrorism. Jack Napier inhabits the inherited world of 'The Joker', a criminal mastermind who stands as an "unstoppable force" against society and it's intention to control/plan things.
Wants (goals)
To create 'chaos', and prove the world is just as 'psychotic' as he is, when push comes to shove.
As explained by Alfred: "...he thought it was good sport. Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn".
Needs
Similarly his needs, are his wants.
The joker does want he wants, regardless of the consequences. He'd do this with or without Batman, as the film states it's in his nature.
Flaws etc.
His major flaw is his inability to kill 'The Batman', because- as he states- he's "just too much fun". Thus his struggles to ultimately create chaos are recurringly outwitted, and stopped by the protagonist.
His facial scar.
His emotional psychotic behaviour (that's often extremely destructive, even to himself at times).
Dualism:
In
- The need for violence and chaos.
- The need to mock the world's fragile sense of security, and self-disillusionment.
- To go against general society and order (i.e. those who enforce it: the law, businesses- the bank etc.).
Out
- Creates chaos by illegal means.
- Puts a gun to his head using Harvey's hand to make a point.
- Laughs manically at people's pain.
- Unmarked/unbranded clothing.
Value Change in a Scene: The 'Fireworks'
In a one to one fight with 'The Batman', the Joker waits enthusiastically for either boat to blow the other up. Despite policeman, criminals and civilians all wishing that someone would make the decision to save their boat (the warden passing the responsibility onto the 'inmate' so to do what he secretly wants, but is unable to fulfil himself)... No-one sets the bomb off.
Joker watches on in confusion, and in a sudden fit of anger he temporarily losses his composure.
The Joker is a tricky character to show this value change, as his psychopathic mental state makes him relatively insusceptible to fear, and steady in his decisions in stressful circumstances, where others would panic.
Overall Story Arc
Batman and 'The Joker' are at definite odds throughout the movie, though it's only later on in the film when the two actually come face-to-face. All conflicts prior to that were video recordered, or through his hired gangs.
Batman: "Dark Knight" doesn't take from the typical 'hero's' journey story format completely. Thus, we see Bruce go from avenging his parents, to retiring as Batman... to taking up the reins again after Joker brings Harvey down to "their level", for the sake of Gotham/the greater good. In that regard the possibility to pass on the task to someone else, but the decision to stay can be considered an important plot arc.
There's also the conflicting arc of chaos vs. control, and Joker's attempt to convert Batman. This ultimately fails however, and 'The Batman', despite having to take the blame of Harvey's killings, wins (or at least prolongs) the argument for the future of the franchise.
'Batman - The Dark Knight'
'The Dark Knight' alludes to Bruce's backstory, but- unlike the prequel- doesn't focus on his origin story as 'Batman'.
Instead the film quickly establishes the protagonist as a charismatic billionaire, living the 'high life', schmoozing with guests at his penthouse in Gotham City Central, while comfortably running a dominating business.
As a character he's a history of sarcasm and kidding around ("Harvey may not know you well enough to understand when you're making fun of him, but I do"), irresponsibility ("you weren't protecting the van?" "Why? What was it doing?... Do you think I should go to the hospital?"... "You don't watch a whole lot of news, do you Wayne?"), and relaxed to the point of annoyance (i.e. falling asleep in a meeting he organised).
Despite this outward act however, he's in fact quite solidarity and firm in his ideologies.
He places the needs of the bigger picture over his own ("it's what needs to be done").
This translates across to his alter-ego: 'Batman', at a new stage of his life wherein he's established himself as a force to be reckoned with... but has become burdened by that power, and is beginning to learn the difference between attaining power (so to avenge his parents killers) and retaining it (for less personal means- fighting crime as a whole).
Time and time again we see Bruce bring up the idea of retiring as 'Batman', mulling over the idea of an ordinary life with Rachel Dawes, and letting go his parents deaths instead of harnessing this rage and dedicating his life to revenge.
Personal world view
Has a strong sense of 'justice', often fighting crime, but never to kill others himself.
He looks upon order and law as necessary procedure to 'control' Gotham, and works with Commissioner Gordon to help 'clean up the streets' of Gotham.
Inherited world
Gotham City, the hub for criminal activity and terrorism. The world of 'Batman', the vigilante who stands aside from the law to eradicate injustice.
Wants (goals)
Prior to the film, 'The Batman's' goal was to avenge his parents, and harness that rage as a means of fighting for justice. In 'The Dark Knight' however, Bruce finds himself in a position where his wants now revolve around acceptance, and a settled life away from crime. His actions revolve around using Harvey Dent as the next person to take his place- leaving him free to retire as 'Batman' for good.
Needs
Acceptance, retiring of Batman, without large-scale consequence.
Flaws etc.
The idea that Batman is untouchable, while Bruce himself is susceptible to physical limits.
This inability to turn a blind eye, having invested so much in his work. He's unable to fulfil his own needs, until he knows for sure that justice will continue after he's gone.
His inability to kill (in plot terms only), as 'The Joker' continues to wreck havoc across Gotham.
His need for revenge, which is overcome in this film, as he begins to consider life away from 'The Batman'.
Dualism:
In
- Mourning the death of his parents.
- Justice oriented.
- Likes the adrenaline rush
- Enjoys giving the impression of social power
- Wants to kill (even if he doesn't act on it) | Not entirely with the law ("don't talk like one of them. You're not. Even if you'd like to be").
Out
-Fights Crime
- Invites everyone to his penthouse, so they can appreciate his power as founder of 'Wayne Enterprises'.
- Puts a chair against the door, so he can beat up 'The Joker' uninterrupted.
Value Change in a Scene: The Death of Harvey Dent
Having spent the most part of the film pinning his hopes on Harvey to bring Gotham the justice it's so long due, Harvey (with Joker's influence) becomes corrupted and forces Bruce to take the blame, and continue his role as 'Batman'.
He goes in uncertain and comes out, set on his decision to continue 'crime fighting' for the sake of Gotham.
Psychopathic criminal mastermind, 'Joker' has a mixed range of 'backstories', often changing his past every time he refers back to it.
He stands aside from society, and also the criminal underworld he roams- with other gangs viewing him as a psychotic outsider.
His appearance comes from makeup as opposed to chemical bleaching (as is his traditional portrayal across the comics, and other canon texts), which is described as 'war-paint' by those working under him.
He defines himself by his conflict with 'Batman', and sees their fights as the only thing making life exciting/worth living.
Personal World View
He embodies the "agent of chaos". An unstoppable force that stomps over typical 'desire', and other wishes (money, wealth, power etc.), by only following plans for the singular reason of mocking societies false sense of security and humanity ("You’ll see, I’ll show you, that when the chips are down, these uh… civilized people, they’ll eat each other.")
Inherited World
Gotham City, the hub for criminal activity and terrorism. Jack Napier inhabits the inherited world of 'The Joker', a criminal mastermind who stands as an "unstoppable force" against society and it's intention to control/plan things.
Wants (goals)
To create 'chaos', and prove the world is just as 'psychotic' as he is, when push comes to shove.
As explained by Alfred: "...he thought it was good sport. Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn".
Needs
Similarly his needs, are his wants.
The joker does want he wants, regardless of the consequences. He'd do this with or without Batman, as the film states it's in his nature.
Flaws etc.
His major flaw is his inability to kill 'The Batman', because- as he states- he's "just too much fun". Thus his struggles to ultimately create chaos are recurringly outwitted, and stopped by the protagonist.
His facial scar.
His emotional psychotic behaviour (that's often extremely destructive, even to himself at times).
Dualism:
In
- The need for violence and chaos.
- The need to mock the world's fragile sense of security, and self-disillusionment.
- To go against general society and order (i.e. those who enforce it: the law, businesses- the bank etc.).
Out
- Creates chaos by illegal means.
- Puts a gun to his head using Harvey's hand to make a point.
- Laughs manically at people's pain.
- Unmarked/unbranded clothing.
Value Change in a Scene: The 'Fireworks'
In a one to one fight with 'The Batman', the Joker waits enthusiastically for either boat to blow the other up. Despite policeman, criminals and civilians all wishing that someone would make the decision to save their boat (the warden passing the responsibility onto the 'inmate' so to do what he secretly wants, but is unable to fulfil himself)... No-one sets the bomb off.
Joker watches on in confusion, and in a sudden fit of anger he temporarily losses his composure.
The Joker is a tricky character to show this value change, as his psychopathic mental state makes him relatively insusceptible to fear, and steady in his decisions in stressful circumstances, where others would panic.
Overall Story Arc
Batman and 'The Joker' are at definite odds throughout the movie, though it's only later on in the film when the two actually come face-to-face. All conflicts prior to that were video recordered, or through his hired gangs.
Batman: "Dark Knight" doesn't take from the typical 'hero's' journey story format completely. Thus, we see Bruce go from avenging his parents, to retiring as Batman... to taking up the reins again after Joker brings Harvey down to "their level", for the sake of Gotham/the greater good. In that regard the possibility to pass on the task to someone else, but the decision to stay can be considered an important plot arc.
There's also the conflicting arc of chaos vs. control, and Joker's attempt to convert Batman. This ultimately fails however, and 'The Batman', despite having to take the blame of Harvey's killings, wins (or at least prolongs) the argument for the future of the franchise.
Comments
Post a Comment