Writing a film review

What is a film review?

A film review or film critique is a text (sometimes a video, podcast, etc.) in which the author gives and shares his or her reasoned opinion, inevitably subjective but always nuanced, of a film, usually one that has recently been released. The author of a film review may be a journalist, blogger, film fan or professional critic. The aim of a film review is to:

• To analyse the film by going back over the plot. It details the stages in the creation of a film, such as the script, direction, acting, special effects, soundtrack, dialogue, etc.
• To judge the film by expressing a personal opinion. The author explains objectively why he or she liked or disliked the film.
• Help the audience decide whether or not to go and see the film.
• Sometimes put the film into perspective with other works by the same director or from a similar film genre.

Why write a film review?

There are several aims in writing a film review:

• They share an informed, structured and well-argued opinion by expressing what they thought of the film. Through a personal and original interpretation, they help their audience to choose a film that suits them and provide keys to understanding complex films.
• He analyses cinema as an art form. In his reviews, the author examines, for example, the director’s choices in terms of shots, acting, music, rhythm, dialogue, symbolic significance, etc. He also deciphers the way in which the film succeeds in conveying emotions or messages.
• It contributes to film culture for years to come.

Essential elements to include in a film review

Interested in becoming a film critic? Here’s how to write a film review:

The story and originality of the film

A film review briefly summarises the plot without giving too much away. The aim is to inform the reader about the following points:

• What type of film is it (documentary, animation, fiction, comedy, drama, musical, science fiction, detective, western, thriller, disaster, road movie, horror, etc.)?
• Where and when does the action take place?
• Who are the main characters?
• What is the starting point of the story and its theme?

You should also highlight what you think makes the film unique or interesting, such as :

• An original way of telling a familiar story.
• A particular visual style (colours, direction, animation, etc.).
• A subject rarely dealt with or dealt with in a new way.
• A special atmosphere (funny, scary, poetic, etc.).
• Outstanding acting performances.

Character analysis

The characters are at the heart of the story and the emotion the director is trying to convey. Your film review should :

• Describe the appearance of the characters.
• Evaluate the quality of the acting, the place of star actors? Are the actors sufficiently credible and worthy of their roles (funny, frightening, moving, etc.)?
• Study how the characters develop over the course of the film.

Artistic direction

Film criticism studies the art direction, which plays an essential role in building the visual and sensory universe of a film. Art direction brings together all the visual components that contribute to the identity of a film. As such, your film critic will analyse in particular:

• Sets
• Costumes
• make-up
• Hairstyles
• The chromatic palette through the choice of the film’s dominant colours
• The general visual atmosphere
• The design of the real or fictional locations

The rhythm of the film

A film critic also examines the pace of the film (the narrative tempo), i.e. the speed at which the story progresses. In particular, it deciphers :

• The length of the scenes, any dead time or unnecessary scenes.
• Editing through the sequence of shots, rapid cuts, etc. Does the editing contribute to the fluidity or tension of the story?
• The intensity of the dialogue or action. Is the pace consistent with the film’s genre?
• The different figures of speech used.
• The alternation between calm and tense moments. Does the film sustain the viewer’s attention over time?
• The narrative structure.

Critics may highlight the film’s frenetic pace, which immerses viewers in the urgency of the action, or the director’s skill in playing with silences and pauses. It may also highlight the length of the film, which detracts from the dramatic intensity.

The soundtrack

A major element of the cinematic experience, the soundtrack does more than simply accompany the images: it reinforces the emotion, creates the atmosphere, supports the rhythm and conveys meaning. It includes music, sound effects, silences, dialogue and the way they are mixed… Your film critic will therefore be interested in..:

• The quality and emotional impact of the soundtrack. Is the music well chosen? Is the sound world immersive, original and credible?
• The role of the music in the film. Does it accompany the action or create contrast?
• The sound mix: are the sounds well balanced? Is the dialogue clear?

The script

The screenplay structures the story, defining the dialogue, the characters, the stakes and the plot. Despite being well directed, the quality of the screenplay can either enhance or detract from the film. The film review studies :

• The theme(s) addressed
• The interest of the story and its emotional aspect
• The coherence and structure of the script
• The balance between action and dialogue
• Credibility of the characters and their development
• Inconsistencies, clichés, etc.

Staging and direction

Direction concerns the organisation of the elements within the frame, i.e. the placement of the actors (acting, gestures, looks), the composition of the image, the lighting, the sets, the camera movements, the management of space, looks, silences, and so on. Directing is more about the overall direction of the film, i.e. the aesthetic choices, the direction of the actors, the editing, the rhythm and the artistic coherence of the whole.

With regard to directing and producing, the film critic proceeds to a technical breakdown by analysing :

• the coherence and visual strength of the film
• The way the scenes are filmed. Does the filming serve the purpose of the film?
• The director’s style: how does he portray his characters?
• The originality of the direction

The epilogue has a very strong emotional impact. The audience’s impression of the film depends on the ending. A successful ending can sublimate everything that has gone before. If it is disappointing, it risks spoiling the previously favourable impression of the film.

Different approaches to writing a film review

Objective reviews

An objective film review aims to provide a detached and impartial analysis of the film, striving to focus on measurable, factual elements rather than on your personal or emotional opinions as a writer.

Subjective criticism

A subjective review is based more on your personal opinion, influenced by your tastes, emotions and experiences. As a critic, you share your emotional reactions to the film, feelings such as enthusiasm, disappointment, excitement, nostalgia, and so on. It’s a more intimate and personal way of looking at a film.

Comparative criticism

A comparative film review highlights the similarities and differences between several films, often with the aim of gaining a better understanding of a film’s artistic, narrative or technical choices in relation to other works in the same genre or by the same filmmaker. This makes it possible to place the film in a wider context (in terms of its genre, director, period, etc.) and to compare its impact with other similar or influential films.

How to structure an effective film review

Introduction: presents the film and its context

The introduction briefly (one or two lines) presents the film, quoting its title, the name of the director, the genre, the release date, etc. It is engaging and precise, and aims to capture the reader’s interest by giving a first general impression without revealing any major details.

Development: analysing the key elements of the film in detail

The development of a film review is the main part which analyses the film in depth through its various aspects (script, direction, editing and pacing, soundtrack, acting). The detailed, well-argued development justifies the overall opinion given in the conclusion.

Conclusion: the critic gives an overall opinion and a score if necessary.

The conclusion of a film review summarises the main points made in the development to give a final opinion on the film and the overall experience for the writer. Your conclusion should therefore be concise but strong enough to guide your readers by providing them with an overall view of the film, possibly opening the door to other thoughts.

Mistakes to avoid when writing a film review

• Failing to provide a context by not properly introducing the film, omitting to mention the title, genre, main actors, director, etc. Without a context, the reader risks being lost and not knowing what the film is about.
• Limit yourself to summarising the plot without carrying out an in-depth analysis.
• Reveal important plot details, plot twists or even the end of the film. This would spoil the experience for people who haven’t seen the film.
• Lacking objectivity, not being honest in the judgement, which would give the impression that the analysis is unfounded.
• Lack precision in the arguments and fail to explain clearly why you liked or disliked the film. It’s not enough to say that the film is a masterpiece, you have to clearly explain why.
• Writing an unbalanced review that focuses too much on the negative aspects while neglecting the positive points and vice versa. A review is inevitably subjective, since the author shares his or her point of view. The trick is to know how to balance things out.
• Criticising the film without taking into account the expectations of your target audience.
• Underestimate the importance of the technical aspects of the film (soundtrack, editing, special effects, etc.) which contribute to the overall atmosphere. The analysis would be incomplete.

Where to publish your film review and how to share it?

In France, film reviews are published and shared via various channels and film media:

• Online magazines (Critikat, les fiches du cinéma, Trois couleurs, Débordements, etc.)
• Print magazines (Jeune Cinéma, l’Art du Cinéma, Cahier du cinéma, etc.)
• On specialist platforms (Critiquefilm.fr, Critikat.com, SensCritique.com, allocine.fr, etc.)
• On social networks (Facebook, X, Instagram)
• A personal blog.
• Forums and communities.