The movie “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a slapstick comedy starring Jim Carrey as Ace Ventura, Courteney Cox as Melissa Robinson, and Sean Young as Lt. Lois Einhorn. Jim Carrey is one of the biggest super stars in Hollywood, but he is also a personality actor who uses stylized, high energy acting like that in the clip below featuring himself and Courteney Cox.
Courteney Cox also stars in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and is a personality actor but uses realism, or a more naturalistic approach to her acting as shown in the clip above. She’s best known for her role in the T.V. sit-com “Friends,” where she plays the sweet, pretty, girl next door type. Her acting approach is similar in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” and her more naturalistic acting style balances Jim Carrey’s over-the-top, stylized acting to bring some seriousness to the comedic film.
Another co-star in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” is Sean Young, shown in the clip above, along side Jim Carrey. Young’s character in this movie is Lt. Lois Einhorn. Young also uses realism in her acting, but she is more of a wild card actor, meaning it’s difficult to classify her as a certain type. She’s played serious roles in movies like “No Way Out” and “Stripes,” as well as comedic roles like that of “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Kingpin,” and “Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader.” She’s also been on a couple of reality T.V. shows, as well as interpreted the dancer, Isadora Duncan.
Jim Carrey is often typecast because of his success in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” Goodykoontz and Jacobs state, “Sometimes a relatively unknown actor will achieve success in an early role- and then be doomed to repeat the same type of role again and again over the course of a career.” Carrey’s serious turn in “The Majestic,” (trailer below) received mixed critical responses and bombed theatrically. (2014). Often times, a comedic actor such as Jim Carrey becomes so well-known for humorous roles that it’s difficult for audiences to accept them in dramas, even when they are outstanding in their other roles. (Goodykoonts, Jacobs, 2014). Wikipedia states that Carrey didn’t experience true stardom until he played the lead role in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” Although he agreed to play the lead character, he was only willing to take the role if he was allowed to rewrite the script to suit his over-the-top-visions. The film was dismissed by most critics, but was an international hit and transformed Carrey into a bankable box office star. (para. 16). Viewers and critics alike delight in seeing Carrey’s highly energetic, slapstick, comedic performances. He does well when his character calls for drama instead of comedy, but that isn’t what his audience wants or expects from him.
Carrey, himself, belongs to his own specific genre, and his name alone sells movie tickets. When we hear the name Jim Carrey, viewers and critics immediately expect comedy and laughter from movies like “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”, “The Mask,” and “Dumb and Dumber,” not drama.
References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. This text is a Constellation™ course digital materials (CDM) title.
There are three different types of sound in “Saving Private Ryan” that make it the award winning epic war film it is today. One is dialogue which is simply the way in which characters talk to one another in films. (Goodykoonts, Jacobs, 2014). Another is the sound effects like the bombs and explosions that take place in this film. Last, but not least is the music which was composed by John Williams featuring Tanglewood Festival Chorus and Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The dialogue is incredible in this movie. Whether it be between two men discussing the loss of a loved one, or the animosity felt by some for risking many lives for Private Ryan, or the shear anger and adrenaline in their voices during war scenes. The sound effects deserve their credit as well. When we hear bombs striking, and men screaming, or bullets screeching the audience gets an empathetic feeling of sadness and terror. For instance, in the scene where Captain Miller’s helmet is knocked off by a near-by strike, and he loses his hearing. The audience has no choice but to empathize with Captain Miller because we begin to hear things from his perspective until he soon regains his hearing and carries on like nothing happened. The beautifully composed music, though won its own awards as well. Some of this music sounds the same at first, like war music. As you listen, you hear it intensify with the scene such as in “Hymn to the Fallen.” The music was composed specifically for this movie, and successfully creates emotion; feelings of sadness, despair, as well as hope.
The dialogue between soldiers, the sound effects of the war scenes, and the emotion created by the back ground music all classify this movie in the war film genre. What classifies this film in epic genre is its large scale success in that it won five Oscars, another 78 awards and 66 nominations, as well as the critical time in history in which it takes place.
Each of the categories of sound in “Saving Private Ryan” are very realistic, and therefore successful at creating the realism and overall feeling of war that the director, producers, and editors had hoped to achieve. The sound from the dialogue between enemy soldiers, or soldiers at battle, or ordinary civilians allows the audience to see what it’s like for them trying to cope with the ultimate cost or sacrifice of war; loss of human life. As discussed, realism is achieved through the creative use of sound effects, which also give the audience a feeling of sadness and terror and thoughts of death. The award winning music helped to fill the emotional gaps in the dramatic and important scenes of this film.
The different categories of sound displayed in the movie allow the viewer to better understand the overall feeling that the editors are trying to convey. There are a large range of emotions being experienced by the characters, and therefore by the viewing audience. This is made possible through the element of sound. The character’s dialogue was used to understand Captain Miller’s mission to save Private Ryan, and to feel sympathy, sadness, and despair watching our men in uniform show a range of emotion from cowardly to heroic, and the implications that lie within each of those actions. Sound effects were greatly used to create the dramatic recurrence of war, and music was composed specifically for this film, to help heighten these emotions within us. Had these elements of sound not come together the way they did in “Saving Private Ryan” it wouldn’t have been such a success, drawing the audience in, and allowing us to relate better with the characters on the screen.
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. This text is a Constellation™ course digital materials (CDM) title.
The still photo above, is from the first scene in Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 movie “A Clockwork Orange.” The lighting used in this film was mostly low-key, which works well with this movie’s horror and crime theme. The background is often dimly lit, which allows the color white to stand out very well, quite frequently, throughout the film. The color white is used in Alex’s gang’s clothing, the drug-laced milk they drink, all throughout the milk bar that the gang frequents, and even the naked woman on stage has white hair when Alex is being tested after his aversion therapy. This color is very symbolic throughout the entire film and the dim lighting is beneficial to this symbolism as well as the genre of the film. Our text-book states, “Today, many directors of crime, science-fiction, and serious dramatic films prefer the “cool” mood suggested by using bluish-greenish colors throughout the scene design and cinematography. Tim Burton, in films such as Sleepy Hollow and Sweeney Todd, used not only a cool, bluish look, but also desaturation with the colors (in effect, “turned down” to look less intense) nearly to the point of being black and white at times.”(Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, 2014).
The only time there is high key lighting in the film, like in the still photo below of Alex’s bedroom, is when the scene is set inside someone’s home. There are so many lights and lamps placed throughout these scenes. This is to help set the tone for a futuristic look on home decor, as well as the furniture and hair color women used.
The general low-key lighting of the film was well suited to the genre of “A Clockwork Orange.” Most horror films like, “Halloween,” The Exorcist,” and “The Amityville Horrors,” all use low-key lighting. It sets the mood for the viewer that horror and crime are about to commence. The color in this film was a little different than most others of its genre and of the characters that play the villans. Usually we associate white with purity, and those who wear black with the villain. However, in “A Clockwork Orange,” the villains wear white, and we see the color white popping out at us throughout the entire film. This is partly because of the science fiction sub-genre that this film is a part of. To me, this portrays the way the white milk induces the ultra-violence in this group of “toughs,” and its the directors way of showing the audience that violence actually is a form of purity to Alex and his droogs. Had the entire film been set in high key lighting, it would not have set the tone for a horror film.
References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc
A Clockwork Orange is about teenage gang leader named Alex, and his droogs Georgie, Pete, and Dim. Alex leads his droogs down a dark path of violence, drugs, rape and theft. After his droogs become fed up with Alex taking the “ultra violence” too far, as well as his own attitude and violence towards them, the gang turns on Alex and set him up to be caught by police officers during one of his acts of violence that results in death for the victim, and 14 years in prison for Alex. After serving two years of his sentence, Alex willingly participates in a brainwashing technique, called the Ludivicko technique, that will allow Alex an early release from prison, but will also rob him of his free will. Once this change has taken place and Alex is released from prison, karma seems to come looking for Alex as those he tortured in the past find him helpless because of the Ludivicko technique, and get their revenge. Some argue that his technique was successful, and others maintain that it’s an inhumane practice.
Plot Summary:
A Clockwork Orange takes place in future Britain. Alex and his gang of droogs, Georgie, Pete, and Dim roam the streets wearing all white clothes, black boots, black hats and caring walking canes. They rape, beat, and rob innocent victims on a regular basis for entertainment. They drink a drug laced milk that induces what they call ultra violence. One night after drinking the milk, Alex and his groogs kick an elderly tramp over and over again. Then they find a rival gang, led by Billyboy, raping a woman. After they’ve stopped to enjoy what they are witnessing, Alex and his droogs beat the other gang members until they are unconscious. Alex and his gang then leave the scene in their sports car and decide to play a game called Hogs of the Road, where they force other drivers off the road. They spot a nice residence with a sign that says HOME. The gang enters the home by telling writer, and homeowner Frank Alexander that they need to report and accident. Once inside the residence, the gang binds and gags the couple. Alex rapes Mrs. Alexander while singing “Singing in the Rain,” and while Mr. Alexander watches helplessly . Mr. Alexander is beaten and kicked until he is paralyzed. Alex returns home to his parents, stashes his stolen goods and listens to his favorite composer, Beethoven, while playing with his pet snake and dreaming of more violence.The Government probation officer shows up at Alex’s home after learning of his acts of violence and grabs him in the groin for wasting government resources they’ve used trying to reform him. Alex doesn’t seem to care as he picks up two women and takes them to his room to have sex with them. While doing so, he misses his gang meeting with his droogs. Once his droogs express their disappointment in Alex and suggest larger robberies, Alex becomes outraged, knocking Georgie in the river and stabbing Dim in the arm after he tries to help Georgie. Once Alex is sure everyone knows he’s in charge again, he agrees with the idea of larger robberies and they decide to rob the catlady, Mrs. Webber. Having heard about the Alexander incident, she refuses to let them inside. Alex breaks in any way and hits her over the head leaving her unconscious. The gang hears sirens and try to escape, but Alex’s droogs have other plans. Instead, they bash him over the head, leaving him there unconscious for the officers to find.The catlady dies as a result of the blow to her head and Alex gets sentenced to 14 years in prison. For the first 2 years, Alex pretends he wants to change, but secretly fantasizes about sex and violence. He hears of an experimental treatment therapy,called the Ludivicko Technique that is supposed to permanently reform prisoners. Alex immediately asks to be put on a list for this treatment as a way to get an early release from prison. Alex is promised that he’ll be permanently cured in two weeks. He’s injected with a serum that causes nausea and suffocation whenever his violent passions are present. He’s bound in a straight jacket, with his eyes forced open by clamps, and he’s forced to watch hours of violence and destruction. The doctors also play Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony during his treatment and Alex realizes his favorite music will always be associated with the sickness. He begs and pleads for them to sto,. but they refuse his request. Before he is released from treatment, Alex is put on stage in front of officials to show that the program worked. The Minister of Interior deems the program a success and asks for Alex’s release, since he becomes ill when trying to reach out to touch a naked woman. The Chaplain says that the treatment is unethical since Alex has lost his choice and free will. Upon returning home Alex finds that his parents have rented out his room, his belongings were confiscated by the police , and his pet snake had died. Alex leaves sobbing and contemplating suicide, but is recognized by the elderly man that he and his groogs kicked over and over again in the beginning of the movie. The elderly man led Alex to a tunnel where the other elderly alcoholics could have their turn at revenge on Alex and beat him. The cops showed up to break up the fight, but the officers ended up being Georgie and Dim, who also got their revenge on Alex by handcuffing, beating, and almost drowning him. The writer, Frank Alexander, who was also one of Alex’s victims, hears about the unethical treatment of the Ludivicko Technique and contacts reporters who listen to Alex’s story for their own personal profit. Mr. Alexander doesn’t recognize Alex as his attacker until he hears him singing, “Singing in the Rain,” which is the song he sang while raping Mrs. Alexander. Mr. Alexander then has Alex locked in a room and tortures him by playing Beethoven very loudly until Alex tries committing suicide by jumping out of a two-story window. The story was soon in all the newspapers and was proof of the governments inhumane ways. A psychologist was hired to reverse the effects of the Ludivicko Technique. He presented Alex with cartoons where he is able to create violent dialog for his characters.. He soon accepts a job from the Minister of Interior in exchange for pay, and is able to secretly think violent thoughts while listening to Beethoven, which was proof that the Ludivicko Technique had been reversed.
A Clockwork orange is presented chronologically. This choice contributes to the general effect on the audience because it allows for the viewer to experience a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions. At first, the viewer feels disgust, and almost hate towards Alex, while sympathizing for his victims. Later, the viewer might sympathize for Alex after he loses his free will and begin to feel anger toward Alex’s victims as they seek revenge on a helpless Alex. The viewer’s emotions change again as Alex’s aversion therapy is reversed and he’s able to enjoy the monstrous thoughts that led to his violent acts in the first place.
Character development is impacted by the choice of story telling methods because it’s difficult to sympathize for Alex’s victims once they’ve sought revenge. Even though Alex’s treatment is inhumane, it’s hard to sympathize for him when his victims get revenge and when he loses his freewill because he only signed up to be reformed so he could get released early from prison, not to actually change for the better. Foreshadowing is impacted because we know the groogs are going to turn on Alex once he starts treating them badly. Another example is when we know Alex’s aversion therapy will not go well for him once he is released when he begs the doctors to stop treatment after hearing music from his favorite composer.
Had this movie not been in chronological order, the audience wouldn’t have been able to feel the wide range of emotions that go along with watching A Clockwork Orange. If we had known from the beginning, how the movie was going to end, we wouldn’t have been able to have any empathy for Alex, and we wouldn’t have been able to feel as much resentment towards Alex’s victims when they got their revenge on him, once Alex was the helpless victim.
Bobbie Farmer 
