Laura Movie Analysis

In this film, Laura (1944) we are introduced to a group of corrupt and fittingly shady upper-class social order types. The focus is on particular conventions of content, like themes or settings and/or form, including structure and style (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). This film will be critiqued by the author through the lens of the genre theory (AMC, n.d.). The genre theory allows critics to take a short cut to categorize films. The director woks with the time-period and has a vision and that includes the audience he wishes to engage. The cinematographer of Laura, Lucien Ballard, uses shadow, lighting, high-contrast black and white cinematography. The film received the award for Best Cinematography and was nominated for five academy awards. For those who love a good romantic mystery thriller, Otto Preminger’s “Laura (1944)” will be enjoyed …show more content…
In formalist filmmaking, style and technique are two of the construction elements used. Uniting rudiments of the narrative are crucial in shaping the analysis. Drawing the viewer’s attention into seeing the film beyond just the elements used in making the film is key in helping convey the film’s message. Using the formalist approach in the analysis of the film, Laura, includes editing, sound, camera techniques and plot structure.
Namely, the plot structure, Laura (1944), unfolds as we follow the detective in upper-class, NYC, McPherson as he questions each character about the murder of Laura. He starts with Waldo Lydecker, an obsessed, jealous man who is Laura’s mentor. The story rises in conflict when McPherson finds himself falling in love with Laura, as well (IMDb, 1990). Waldo Lydecker reveals himself as the killer after a long period of wondering who the killer will be. At the end, he attempts to kill Laura and keep her all to