Looking for examples of films where the story of the 'big' character is told through another's eyes i.e. where the protagonist isn't actually the person who the story's about, if you get my drift.
My current example is 'Willy Wonka' where it's actually Charlie's story as it were ( hence the original book title)
Also 'The Lost Prince', the Poliakoff film where the story of the young prince was told through the governess/nurse.
Any others ?
Talented Mr Ripley?
Withnail and I.
The Big Lebowski
Shawshank Redemption...I think.
Good stuff.
Right, narrowing it down now...
Historical biopics that employ this technique?
(After this I'll be asking for log line, treatment and the first 15 pages)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off - it's really about Cameron and how he develops.
Scent of a Woman - ostensibly about a prep school boy but really about Pacino. Not really funny though.
My Favourite Year - classic film, all about Peter O'Toole's character
Lord of the Rings - forget all that Ring crap, it's about Aragorn.
Jaws - it's all about Brody's growth from small town sherriff to fish-out-of-water hero.
Charlie's Angels - Charlie's barely even in it!
Quote: Big Jack @ March 29 2012, 12:36 PM BSTFerris Bueller's Day Off - it's really about Cameron and how he develops.
How far back do you want to go?
Lawrence of Arabia, Evita, Schindlers List, JFK.
Yes all the above, all good films too, and from the top of my head, Shawshank Redemption, Amadeus, The Third Man, Edward Scissorhands and I think there many more big name films that do this (possibly all the Chandler type PI movies included, as the story isn't about Marlowe but the criminals in his case. However, we are really watching the film to see the cool Marlowe operate). Many have a spoken narration from the secondary character recounting the story but they don't have to have.
Quote: Lazzard @ March 29 2012, 12:28 PM BSTGood stuff.
Right, narrowing it down now...
Historical biopics that employ this technique?(After this I'll be asking for log line, treatment and the first 15 pages)
Amadeus, Mutiny On The Bounty. I'll think of some more...
Last King of Scotland.
Velvet Goldmine.
My week with Marilyn.
Zodiac.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ March 29 2012, 1:26 PM BSTVelvet Goldmine.
My week with Marilyn.
Zodiac.
'My Week with Marilyn' is a good one.
The thing I'm working on is about a larger than life character as experienced by a 'smaller than life' character.
What I'm seeing is that this is a good mechanic when the 'hero', as it were, is in some way hard to like - a monster in some way -though riveting none the less, and hence hard to cast as the protag.
Interesting.
Thanks & keep 'em coming!
Quote: Lazzard @ March 29 2012, 2:33 PM BST'My Week with Marilyn' is a good one.
The thing I'm working on is about a larger than life character as experienced by a 'smaller than life' character.
What I'm seeing is that this is a good mechanic when the 'hero', as it were, is in some way hard to like - a monster in some way -though riveting none the less, and hence hard to cast as the protag.
Interesting.
Thanks & keep 'em coming!
King of Comedy?
The Godfather.
Citizen Kane.
Titanic. 