Analysis of Story and Character Development in Two Case Studies

Two case studies will be analysed in term of their character and narrative development. These are The Road to El Dorado and Captain Phillips. While these are vastly different movies, I will look for similarities in the analysis to write about after analysing the case studies themselves.

Types of Character Arcs

Information collected from: Top 10 Best Character Arcs in Film – YouTube

1. Becoming a Hero – a seemingly normal character (possibly with hero potential or insinuation) unleashes their inner hero. During adversity filled narrative events, their inner hero unleashes.
2. The Moral Arc – Where a scoundrel is turned into a saint (or something similar). If the character fails morally enough and is punished by the world in the process then they will learn to be better and happy.
3. The Reluctant Hero – The hero that wants to act in self interest without sacrifice, however, this is confronted with an inflexible inner moral strength which prevails.
4. Redemption – A character is holding onto something that needs to be let go. A change in nature and seeking redemption.
5. Tandem Arcs – Two people developing together, or a family.
6. Failure to change– Not all arcs are the shape of an arc. A story can sometimes not have a clear structure, or perhaps you do not see the structure until the end or a rematch. The ‘arc’ may end where is begin.
7. Mortality – Not wanting to face death or accept the fact that their days are slowly diminishing . A psychological journey, perhaps including the five stages of mourning during the end of their life. Untangling of a character and their memories in their final act, looking back at their life.
8. Rise to Power – A journey a character takes from an average person to the heights of wealth, strength and power.
9. Descent into Madness – Showing our own greatest fears, and how the character’s fall into them (e.g. The Shining).
10. Rise and Fall – As we grow, someday we must also perish. The key to that undoing is that same seed from which we grow.

While I will use this as a guide for the character development analysis, there is so much more that goes into this. Such as interactions with other character’s (relationship developments), interactions with the environment (change of scenery e.g. El Dorado goes from a Spanish city to a Native island) and how the events of the journey impact the character (this could be the progress of their journey).

Case Study One – The Road to El Dorado

A 2000 American animation adventure-musical comedy, produced by DreamWorks Animation. The plot is arranged around the journey, in 1517, of the swindler duo, Miguel and Tulio, and their hunt for the big life changer. After finding (*stealing*) a treasure map, to the rumoured City of Gold, they believe that this is their ticket to being rich. However, instead the island is filled with natives that will kill them is the protagonists do not act the parts of Gods.

Narrative Analysis

The story development can be analysed through the ‘Circle Narrative’ theory in 8 steps by Dan Harmen.

El Dorado Narrative Analysis:

1. The characters are enjoying their equilibrium, earning their money by swindling others. They have a good relationship with each other and play off each other well in their schemes.
2. Miguel wants more in life, he wants to be rich and powerful with ladies on his arms. Tulio is more rational and level headed, he wants stability and Miguel reckless attitude and goals to stop putting them into trouble.
3. During a betting game with dice they want to win the treasure map, after a con-man performance they win/steal it. After gaining the promising treasure man that Miguel has his hope in they coincidently arrive at the island on the map and Tulio reluctantly decides to follow Miguel and the map. They find a native village, whose occupants believe that the two protagonists are Gods, because of their foreign appearance. So, they must pull off another act, hopefully receive gold from the natives and not become sacrifices.
4. With the help of a native girl, Chel, they adjust to being known as and scamming the natives as Gods. They are able to live in the temple, which is filled with gold.
5. After realising that they actually asked for human sacrifices with the ‘festival’, but eventually adjust to the scam better. The whole native village bows down to them and follows their orders. They have all of the gold they want and ask the villagers to make a boat for them and the gold to leave with.
6. Miguel and Tulio notice that because of a few words on a whim from them, the villagers stay away from them, are scared of them and give them all the gold they possess. Even anything the villagers are wearing. They start to realise the consequences of their actions and feel guilty. The high priest becomes greedy for power, and doubts Tulio and Miguel being Gods. They fight against him and win, however, the village suffers damage. Tulio decides to leave, but Miguel wants to stay. They almost separate from each other in disharmony. Spanish soldiers come and endanger the native village. Miguel and Tulio decide to sacrifice the boat of gold by blocking the entrance to the village with it.
7. Miguel and Tulio say good bye to everyone in the village, and leave together with Chel, no gold included.
8. The experiences have changes their relationship, conscience and maturity greatly. They happily leave the island to start making their lives better elsewhere.

Character Development Analysis – Miguel

Miguel and Tulio are closely related to the development of the narrative and each other’s development. While I may talk about Tulio in unison with Miguel, I will still be focussing on his development only. Miguel has a a character arc that can be described as the ‘Moral Arc’, where the scoundrel changes his character and makes more careful and moral decisions.

While not much is known about Miguel and Tulio’s background before the beginning of the movie, one can assume that they have lived in poverty most of their lives. The duo seem to have been together for a long time and learned how to survive together as conmen. As shown by how they already had a scheme to con the betting dice game. They had loaded dice and when caught they blame the other person, tricking the audience into believing they are not working together, and then escaping when given the chance. It seems that they have performed charades like this often as the montage of them escaping shows skill. When trapped on the ship, Miguel keeps smiling and relies on Tulio to come up with an escape plan, reflective of his personality and relationship with him.

They developed a brotherly, love hate relationship, working together, getting used to and having to deal with each other’s quirks. Both dream of a better life. Miguel dreams of adventure whereas Tulio dreams of gold, both go through life improvising (that is how the film’s story is directed). Tulio is a rational, level-heading thinker, realist which helps to calm the storms that Miguel brings. Whereas, Miguel is more outgoing, a risk taker, dreamer and free-spirit. He is self interested but relied on Tulio, in terms of money, safety and emotional dependency (the last point may be a bit of a stretch but Tulio has always been there for him). Miguel’s personality and actions lead to many troubles for the two and Tulio is essentially the baby sitter that usually has the role of getting them out of trouble, or at least nagging Miguel about it.

Once they reach El Dorado, they face many more dangers in a native village. They are thought of as Gods and must keep up the act. This is not exactly something new to them, just a new con in a vastly different playing ground, and with their lives at steak. This is significant since even in this situation they are resorting to scamming their victims with no regard for others or the consequences. Once they discover that their con is a success, they do not even think along the lines of having a guilty conscience. Greedily, they bask in the joy of victory, thinking about how to maintain and develop it. That is until Miguel explores the village and the reality sinks in of their acquired power and control of the village, as well as the consequences. Their whims effect the lives of the villagers drastically and make them fearful. Miguel sees that his carefree attitude made this sort of environment, seeding the maturity of his character.

Miguel and Tulio argue over difference ideals and aims for the future. They have everything they want but now they will be separating in disharmony. Miguel wants to remain as a god in the care free native village. Where as Tulio wants to leave with the gold and make a life for himself in the more developed civilisation outside of the island. A new danger makes them work together in unison once again. Leading them to their previous harmony filled brotherly relationship with a new found maturity and appreciation. Before they leave the village they are honest with the village chief that they are not actual gods. This shows their maturity and growth.

Case Study Two – Captains Phillips

The Narrative Structure Development

This one I will analyse with the 5 step Tzvetan Todorov Narrative Theory.

Equilibrium – Captain Philips and his crew members are on a cargo ship voyage.

Disruption – A small pirate ship is seen from far away.

Recognition – They make contact with threats and attempt to board the ship. The captain and his crew defend the ship, until the pirates board and hijack the ship. The captain secures his crew in the base of the ship (ENGINE ROOM?) to avoid hostages. The captain then deals with the pirates directly.

Repair – With the captains scheme the crew are able to fight back and overpower the pirates. It gets to the point where the pirates nearly leave the ship, however, they have the Captain as a hostage and he decides to be a sacrifice in order to let the rest of the crew off. The Captain and the pirates board the emergency raft together. The Captain is left alone with three pirates with a gun on him, the danger and pressure intensifies. Eventually, the Navy (SEALS) (SNIPERS) come to rescue him. They trick the pirates to be separated and then shoot them with snipers.

Restoration of a new equilibrium – Captain Philips is aboard the Naval ship getting medical treatment. Rescued and safe, he breaks down in tears.

The Character’s Development Journey

Captain Richard Phillips’ journey is one fraught with danger and leadership. At first, his job is simply overlooking the transportation of a cargo ship. Nevertheless, his job also comes with the expectation of pirate hijackings since he is travelling around the horn of Africa. The possibility and history of this occurrence was common in the context of the film, therefore, it was clear that Phillips was already briefed on the procedures. His personality was resilient, tough, cool under pressure and resourceful. Natural leadership to deal with the danger and speaking sparingly, adjusting to the situation.

One of the first impressions we see of him is an ordinary family man, although his life is not perfect, it is mundane. The first thing he does when getting ready to board the ship, or after boarding the ship, is his duty. He checks the cargo and whether the security protocols are in place, such as the locked stairways.

Then in his workplace, when we see the Captain coming into the bridge of the ship, he seems at ease. Sociable enough with the his crew to make a nice working atmosphere but also professional. His behaviour shows good leadership, as though this is routine for him. He knows exactly what to do with the ship he has been entrusted with. Throughout the movie, it seems as though he takes this seriously, as though everything that happens on the ship, their lives and safety are his responsibility as the Captain, which is a good thing for his position. This grants him the ‘Hero Character Arc’, as guides the others through the dangers of the pirates.

Once he sees potential pirates on the radar and through his binoculars, he acts quickly and tests the situation, seeing if they follow the ship when the sheering is altered. The way he quickly assesses the situation, allows for plenty of time to act according to protocol and create pre-emptive measures. During the time that the pirates are incoming, the Captain’s improvising made one, of the two, boats retreat. He remained calm in the pressured situation, even though you could see that he was nervous, as where his crew mates. This is also true with the subsequent events, he successfully got rid of the pirates who hijacked the ship and protected his crew. When he was taken hostage with the pirates on one the cargo ship life rafts, the pressure boiled further and his life was at constant gun point. While he was mostly obedient and quiet to the pirates, he also strategized on how to escape. “His social skills, and particularly his ability to persuade was observed not only in his interaction with the crew members (in his attempt to convince them to overcome their fears and focus on the collective goal of keeping the ship safe), but also in his interaction with the pirates. In his attempt to persuade the pirates, Phillips used a variety of influence tactics, including pressure and exchange” (Penn State University, 2015). His fear was evident but he never panicked. He thought of and wrote a letter to his family during this time.

Once rescued and getting medical treatment he finally releases the tension. The nurse quietly examines the bloodied and shocked Phillips, in a methodical, calming tone. In an extraordinarily moving scene, we see the depth of the crisis of his character finally over as he breaks down in tears.

References

Penn State University. (2015). Lesson 5: Power and Influence. Retrieved from https://elearning.la.psu.edu/psy/532/lesson-5