British Comedy Guide

Non-linear storytelling in films? Page 3

In Timecrimes, was there any reason why the girl 'originally' took her clothes off, or was it just intended as a (gratuitously nude) paradox?

Quote: john lucas 101 @ September 7 2010, 1:06 PM BST

It may count as non-traditional story-telling but Synendoche is bloody dull. Much as I love Being John Malkovitch and Adaptation, it was just too indulgent, with no real drama, as such.

I was thinking Adaptation - even though it is kind of linear it plays around a fair bit given that the story you end up watching isn't necessarily the one you started watching (even though it is).

And, of course, a classic in non-linear story-telling, the magnificent Annie Hall.

Doesn't 500 Days Of Summer jigger about a bit to? So you see two timelines at once, a before and after of a relationship.

I still haven't seen that.

Quote: Nat Wicks @ September 8 2010, 9:57 AM BST

I still haven't seen that.

It's sort of okay. That's about it.

And obviously there's various episodes of Doctor Who.

As I expected.

What about movies which start at the end, then start from the beginning.. a la Pulp Fiction ?

Quote: Nat Wicks @ September 8 2010, 10:00 AM BST

As I expected.

What about movies which start at the end, then start from the beginning.. a la Pulp Fiction ?

Terminator.

Quote: Afinkawan @ September 8 2010, 10:05 AM BST

Terminator.

I don't think that's really non-linear. Yes, it starts in the future, but the stories told in a straight line. Robot sent from future to kill.

I wasn't saying it was non linear. The question answered was "What about movies which start at the end, then start from the beginning...?"

Plenty of movies and TV episodes do that, then go back and tell the lead-up in a linear fashion.

Quote: Afinkawan @ September 8 2010, 10:30 AM BST

I wasn't saying it was non linear. The question answered was "What about movies which start at the end, then start from the beginning...?"

I wouldn't say The Terminator even does that; it may start in the future, but that future bit isn't the end point of The Terminator film, it's the starting point. The end is Arnie getting squished in the, at that time, present. I'm just talking about the first one there.

The Saw movies play around a bit with structure too.

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