What is the most important thing in a great movie?

Question

I`m writing a screenplay. I already have plenty of ideas; too many actually. That`s not what I`m asking for. What I want to know is what a movie HAS TO have to make it one of your favorites. (i.e., romance, good actors/actresses, action...) or give me some things that it can`t have.

You`re not limited to anything. Give me any idea that pops into your head, even if it sounds ridiculus.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Has to have a good plot...if there's nothing to follow, then I am not going to want to watch it. It also helps to have some twists and turns to keep me interested...and some comic relief, if possible. The movies that really get me thinking make some of my favorites: Seven is a good example.

Answer 2

Don't have it play off of too many other movies that have already been done. I went and saw Flushed Away yesterday. Good movie and everything but played off of waaaay too many other movies and saw the ending coming before the first 20 minutes of the movie happened. Have the movie take twists and turns, with the emotions going up and down. Have you seen Love Actually? More than one plot going on at the same time but all about the same subject. That's a really cute movie that always gets me sucked in... I suggest watching a ton of movies that you want the topic to be like and see how the directors and actors go around and then try and write yours. Best of Luck!! :)

Answer 3

Start with a very good story with characters that are well developed and thought out. How the story is written makes all the difference. If the words the actors speak are clumsy and unrealistic for the character, then no amount of great acting or directing can help it. A few good films to study that have well written characters are:
The Dollmaker (1984) written by Harriet Arnow and Susan Cooper
"When Harry Met Sally" (1987) written by Nora Ephron
"Fearless" (1993) written by Rafael Yglesias
"Adaptation" (2002) screenplay by Charlie Kaufman
"Junebug" (2005) written by Angus MacLachlan
(there are just a selection of different types of films that have excellent story lines with interesting plot points and well developed characters.) You would do well if you study how these characters are expressed and how the story is moved along.

Answer 4

Sounds very interesting! First thing I thought of was humor. Even if you're writing the saddest story on earth, every movie needs a little comic relief.

I also really need a strong plot. If it sounds iffy or far-fetched to you, it will to your audience. Make sure it's believable (unless you're doing a fantasy-type movie, i.e. Harry Potter).

Try not to make things to melodramatic! Don't necessarily make the two major characters fall in love. (I watched The DaVinci Code for the first time last night--I was relieved to find that Hanks and that other chick didn't get it on, it woulda been too distracting.) I also personally hate good guys turning bad (again, Ian McKellan in DaVinci Code!). But hey, it's your screenplay. :)

Well, good luck to you dear. I'm sure you'll get it figured out.

Answer 5

It has to have a great script. If a movie has great actors, directors, crew etc but they are all working off of a dull script then it isn't going to be good.

Like the movie Click with Adam Sandler. Great actors and director. I saw where the director was trying to take the film, but it was lacking in the dialog, and that is up to the screenwriter to get right.

Good luck.

Answer 6

characters with depth and originality that are portrayed as both unique and approachable to the viewer, a consitent and believable plot, and most importantly, a drama of conflict that reaches a climax that the viewer is moved in some way or another by. without those things you will be pumping out another crappy hollywood flick.

Answer 7

Fluid story flow, intrigue to the viewers mind, convincing acting, authentic expression of acting, interesting scenery. To have my mind stimulated, surprised to insight, experience or fact that I didn't know before. Great editing and to have an emotion drawn up out of me such as compassion, wonder, surprise, fear, humor, etc. A climax and eb and flow story line. A movie that I would get totally caught up in to the point where time does not matter and I'm fully caught up in the world of the movie being play out before me.

Answer 8

I movie need to connect with it audience, rela life experiences are a good way to start, romance for the ladies, action for the men, adventure and fantasy for the kids. Sex for everyone, excepts the little ones of course, but teens through adults.

Answer 9

For me to like a movie it has to have a modive like a plot its really good when the first part of the movie has things you wonder why they are doing that or why thats happing but in the end it all comes together and makes you think

Answer 10

When the characters change and grow according to their needs.
Because that will actually give you a basis on which to start your story, and it'll give you ideas on how to get the plot set up and how to work the show/movie along.