And it was. But in addition to just being an excellent movie, is seems to me there are some excellent writing lessons in it. So here we go.
The Bad Guy is not the Bad Guy to the Bad Guy
Seems simple enough, right? But I think it is easy to draw them as just rotten. This movie did and excellent job of showing what BROUGHT the villain to that point—making that point of evil act not just understandable, but TRAGIC. Without getting too spoilery, Maleficent was a GOOD fairy... who was BADLY betrayed.
People can have more than one primary motivation and it can cause them to behave in ways that break our hearts. THAT is good story telling.
Where you Start the Story MATTERS
Sleeping Beauty, as we've all heard it told, begins when this story is maybe 40% DONE already... and HOLY HELL is that some excellent backstory.
Any tricks you know to help the reader really get your villains?
Also, FYI: Thursday is my 5-year Blogiversary, so I will be posting in spite of my slower pace this month.
13 comments:
I was thinking about seeing this with my daughter, too--looks like it was a fun movie. Some good writing takeaways, too! I like "the good guy doesn't have to *stay* good"--that might work in a story that I'm thinking about. Thanks.
Every villain has motivation for being who they are, and they usually don't see themselves as evil.
Congratulations on five years, Hart!
Stories where the bad guy doesn't see himself as a bad guy usually gives readers (or viewers) more insight into the character and that adds depth for me. Maleficent looks like it's a good movie. Congrats on your upcoming 5th Blogiversary.
I plan on seeing it with my daughter too. I can't watch any movie now (or TV show) without picking it apart. I love learning that way, but it ruins the show. :)
Oh and congratulations on five years. Your blog is fun to visit.
I thought Maleficent was very refreshing. I'm liking how Disney is so different under their new CEO.
I think it's interesting when the "good guy" has to do some not so nice things. Usually there are very good reasons for this but still, it makes for intriguing and complex characters.
Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Great bits about bad guys and good guys. The more I write, the harder it is to write in some ways. I now address issues I didn't know existed when I started.
Congrats on your 5-year Blogiversary!
Congrats on the upcoming blogversary! And that's a good point to remember about villains. :)
You've convinced me to see this movie. As for villains, I try to write them from their perspective, because in their minds they can believe they're in the right. But when good people do something bad, THAT can really make for an interesting plot twist.
Sounds like Disney has made a grown up fairy tale. And I loved the original from way back too (though I think Cinderalla was my fave).
Congrats on 5 years, Hart.
Most people don't see themselves as bad, including bad guys.
Here's a toast to five years! Congratulations.
I've been reading a lot about Maleficent and it has mixed reviews. That means I have to see it and make up my own mind.
We'll be seeing Maleficent this Friday as an end-of-school treat! Looking forward to it, but if I get to take something away from the experience, I want it to be Angelina Jolie's cheekbones. (Although they are a bit...um...exaggerated in the movie!)
Post a Comment