Why they do what they do

More a thought on character development in cinema. There wasn't anything else really to label it as. The thought was spurred on by the upcoming film Black Swan.

In my deep love for film, I have considered many a thing... cinematography, editing, sound, lighting, composition, etc. Not until today did I take the time to consider character development. This interest was sparked by the trailer for an upcoming film entitled Black Swan.

Black Swan is the latest cinematic piece from director Darren Aronofsky (Requim for a Dream, The Wrestler, etc). It features Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, and Vincent Cassel. It is a psychological thriller based around the production of Swan Lake and it looks utterly captivating... and creepy.

It triggered the idea of character development in my mind due to seeing Portman's character evolve even over a two minute span of time. Never mind the actor/actress bringing the character to life (though that is truly vital). How deeply does one have to delve? How much detail do you let the audience in on? You either leave the spectators questioning why on earth a choice is made or you give the build-up of reasons. Even if you are attempting to rationalize something sinister beyond measure, you give reason. Each moment that character experiences should build up to its release whether it be in an act of violence or an act of compassion, a violent sexual release or a loss of the entire perspective of oneself, a peaceful end or desperate persistence. The audience should be angered and disgusted, and rightly so, if some grisly murder takes place, but I believe there should be an understanding as to what drove the character to make his/her decision (even if it's something as heart-filled as trying to get back to your children [coughINCEPTIONcoughEXCELLENTMOVIEcough]).

I am interested to see the script come to life. I am interested to see how well it was written and interpreted by both cast and crew alike. Particularly the lead character Nina. I have heard this movie compared to something like a cross between Rosemary's Baby and Fight Club as far as tone and element goes. Aronofsky brings such a uniqueness to the table, and it's nice to see a director stick with a project even if it finds itself in turnaround for the better part of almost a decade. I have always been impressed by his work, regardless of how confusing or difficult it may have been to watch. He finds a way to bring the best of out his actors' performances.

Also, I'm really looking forward to hear Clint Mansell's score for this movie. The right music can accent a moment, an action, so perfectly that it suddenly takes on even more reason and meaning that before.

In general, though, character development is so important. It's what allows us to understand the lives of these people who have been written for the screen, whether it is Cobb's broken family or the Doctor's dark past or Summer Finn's outlook on love and life. There is a deeper motivation that, while we may not always be fully let in on, we are at least mildly aware of what drove them to make the decisions they made, and we can find some semblance or understanding for them. (Though I'm not sure how you would fit torture gore into any of this... maybe it's just my deep hatred for the genre...)