Tuesday 16 September 2014

Contextual studies essay - chosen American New Wave films

Taxi Driver (1976) - Martin Scorsese
Plot synopsis: Travis Bickle is an ex-Marine and Vietnam War veteran living in New York City. As he suffers from insomnia, he spends his time working as a taxi driver at night, watching porn movies at seedy cinemas during the day, or thinking  about how the world, New York in particular, has deteriorated into a cesspool. He's a loner who has strong opinions about what is right and wrong with mankind. For him, the one bright spot in New York humanity is Betsy, a worker on the presidential nomination campaign of Senator Charles Palantine. He becomes obsessed with her. After an incident with her, he believes he has to do whatever he needs to make the world a better place in his opinion. One of his priorities is to be the saviour for Iris, a twelve-year-old runaway and prostitute who he believes wants out of the profession.


The Graduate (1967) - Mike Nichols
Plot synopsis: Benjamin Braddock has recently graduated college, with his parents now expecting great things from him. He returns to California, but Ben isn't quite sure what to do with the rest of his life. At his homecoming party, Mrs Robinson, the wife of his father's business partner, has Ben drive her home, which leads to an affair between the two. She methodically pursues the inexperienced young man and soon they are meeting regularly in hotel rooms. The affair eventually ends, but comes back to haunt him when he finds himself falling for Elaine, Mrs Robinson's daughter.


One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) - Milos Formas
Plot synopsis: McMuphy has a criminal past and has once again gotten himself into trouble with the law. To escape labor duties in prison, McMurphy pleads insanity and is sent to a ward for the mentally unstable. Once here, McMurphy both endures and stands witness to the abuse and degradation to the oppressive Nurse Ratched, who gains superiority and power through the flaws of the other inmates. McMurphy and the other inmates band together to make a rebellious stance against the atrocious Nurse.

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