The Descendants: Realism, Classicism, Formalism

Realism

  
 To edit in a realist fashion is to create one long, continuous shot without any cuts or edits, therefore giving off a sense of dramatic intent and importance to the scene. Here we see the camera slowly, continuously pan over to a woman lying on a hospital bed unconscious; this here is the director's way of incorporating backstory within the plot, bringing out its main internal conflict which also can arise many questions as to why and how she got there. The shot is held on the woman for a while, creating an intimate and dramatic mood as she is slowly zoomed in on. This concept has an intention of making viewers focus and concentrate in order to fully grasp the effect this scene is attempting to create. All these elements within this one, crucial excerpt compose an effective foundation to the films beginning. 


Classicism

 Classicism is an editing concept in which keeps audience members interested due to the way all action is condensed in a way that gets the scene right to the point without leaving out any crucial information that is significant to the plot. This scene is edited in a in which keep the cuts not very noticeable based on the fact that all dialogue is quick and straight to the point rather than attempting to lead the main conflict in. We hear the girl say “Mom was cheating on you” at the start of the scene; that way the main external conflict becomes evident because of how concise everything is, grabbing attention and keeping it throughout this important scene which forms a sense of back story. The quick cuts and brief, yet effective, dialogue builds tension and glorifies all emotion.


Formalism

Formalism is a way for directors to develop a tone within the movie that is juxtaposed from the linear narrative that is mainly established throughout the plot. Although captured in only approximately under a minute, this excerpt from the film demonstrates this editing concept by creating context, further forming a sense of back story. Disregarding real time, the director cuts this scene to establish a new conflict, possibly creating more questions for the audience. This scene takes away from the linear narrative in this film due to the way the scene sort of gets off topic by Matt King (George Clooney) running randomly but, evidently, with purpose.