Close Reading #1 -Sept.23- "Cosmopolis"

"Cosmopolis" http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120822/REVIEWS/120829995

While reviewing the movie Cosmopolis, film critic Roger Ebert uses the techniques, diction, imagery and detail in order to better appeal to his audience.

Ebert's choice of words gives off a mixed vibe about the film. When he writes "'Cosmopolis' is a flawlessly directed film about enigmatic people who speak in morose epigrams about vague universal principles they show no sign of understanding. Its characters are bloodless, their speech monotone.", he clearly shows his distaste toward the characters, yet a liking for the director through the diction that he uses. The words "vague", "morose", and "monotone" make the characters seem lifeless zombies, especially with the use of the word "bloodless". Yet, he says the film is "flawlessly" directed, by using the word "flawless" he leads the audience to believe that it's the actors that ruin the film, without directly stating it. The elevated  language used gives the audience a serious feel, which in turn makes them feel that Ebert truly knows what he is talking about.

The imagery that Ebert writes into his review helps to give the audience a better idea of what the movie is like, without having to go see it. Ebert states "He enters his improbably long white stretch limousine, lengthy enough for a Mafia wedding, and sets off across Manhattan to his usual barbershop.". This statement gives off the image of wealth, the huge limo and the fact that he takes the limo just to get his haircut screams "money" out at the audience. Ebert also states "As Pattinson plays Packer, he states everything without emotion. All of the criticisms you may have heard or held about Pattinson's performances as the vampire Edward in the 'Twilight' films only serve to underline that he is perfectly cast as Packer.". The image of Edward Cullen, the emotionless, cold skinned vampire, allows the audience to get a feeling of coldness from Packer within the movie.

Finally, the detail that Ebert puts into the article allows the audience to have a better understanding of the movie and of his opinion of the movie. Ebert writes "The final act involves a nutty little man named Benno Levin, who opens fire on him from a warehouse in the district where limos go to spend the night". The addition of the detail "nutty little man" adds more character. Rather than just describing his as "a man named Benno Levin" he spices it up, allowing a deeper look into the movie.  At the end of his review, Ebert writes "I said 'Cosmopolis' is flawlessly directed. Yes, it is. I can't easily imagine a better screen version of the DeLillo novel, although I don't much want to imagine one at all. David Cronenberg is a master filmmaker, whose films sometimes fail to reverberate with me, but whose genius cannot be denied. There is a coldness and abstraction in much of his work, a heartlessness.". Ebert had chosen to put this into is review in order to get his audience to understand that though the film may not be all that great, the director is one that can be respected.

Overall, Ebert's use of diction, imagery, and detail allows the audience the get a feel for the what the movie is like, and what his opinion of it is, the goal of his post.