What is Realism, Really?

Reading summary

This chapter emphasizes the importance of moving past the notion of whether a work tells the truth or not and looks instead to discuss realism as a set of techniques that media makers can implement. These techniques fall under two broad trends that John Caughie labels the “dramatic look” and the “documentary look,” and are used to make the film look more real, through the use of different camera techniques or lighting options; sound more real, through scripting messier conversation and improvisation; and feel more real by creating consistency and plausibility within the work. These techniques help the works mirror reality and show harsh environments and a certain level of spontaneity. Additionally, according to the chapter, realism should not be looked at as an “is it or isn’t it” concept, as it varies from moment to moment as the viewer adjusts based on the information given to them. 

Outside connection:

“Goodwill Hunting” came to my mind when trying to think of a realistic work, based on a number of the techniques that are utilized in the movie. The work tells the story of a group of friends, one in particular who is especially talented, and observes their lives and interactions, from exposing their living conditions and livelihoods, to jumping an individual on the street, and giving an intimate view of therapy sessions and relationships. The story becomes more realistic to me when considering the fact that the protagonist, living in the Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts area, is being portrayed by Matt Dammon, who was born and raised in the area himself. 

Reading connection:

“Goodwill Hunting” seemed realistic to me after reading this chapter because while although it does have a “dramatic,” hollywood look, it still does many of the things that realism aims to do. It exposes harsh conditions, through the livelihood and living situations of the characters within the movie, and it shows that reality is relatively unplanned, that people are “making it up as they go along” when the group of friends pull over to jump and assault a former bully. It slows the pace of the movie by including a number of scenes that do not work to advance the plot and it achieves credibility by casting a main character with a knowledge and understanding of life and reality where the story is set.