Sample Output:
Title: Film Analysis Worksheet - "A Beautiful Mind" by Ron Howard
I. Introduction
1. Choose a literary theory to apply to "A Beautiful Mind" and briefly
explain its main concepts and principles.
Chosen literary theory: Psychoanalytic Theory Explanation of main concepts
and principles:
 The unconscious mind influences human behavior and emotions.
 Defense mechanisms protect the ego from anxiety.
 Early experiences in life shape personality development.
II. Film Elements
2. Identify and describe the various elements of the film:
a) Plot: The film follows the life of John Nash, a brilliant but tormented
mathematician, as he struggles with schizophrenia and eventually triumphs
over his condition to win a Nobel Prize.
b) Characters:
 John Nash: A brilliant mathematician who suffers from
schizophrenia
 Alicia Nash: John's wife who supports him throughout his
struggles
 Charles Herman: John's imaginary roommate and friend
 Parcher: John's imaginary government handler
 Dr. Rosen: A psychiatrist who helps John with his schizophrenia
c) Setting: Princeton University and various locations in the United States,
from the late 1940s to the late 1990s.
d) Themes:
 The power of love and human connection
 The fine line between genius and madness
 The struggle to accept one's own reality
e) Motifs:
 Mathematical equations and visual patterns
 The recurring image of windows (symbolizing the barriers
between John's inner and outer world)
f) Language/Style: The film uses a realistic and dramatic style with elements
of suspense and emotional intensity. Visual effects are employed to illustrate
John's hallucinations and internal experiences.
III. Film Analysis
3. Using your chosen literary theory, analyze the film's elements in detail
and provide examples from the film to support your analysis.
Analysis:
 John Nash's unconscious mind creates imaginary characters
(Charles and Parcher) that represent different aspects of his
psyche.
 John's delusions function as defense mechanisms against the
anxieties and pressures of his academic and personal life.
 John's childhood experiences and social isolation contribute to
the development of his schizophrenia.
Example(s):
 Charles serves as a representation of John's need for friendship
and social connection.
 Parcher represents John's desire for importance and recognition
in his work.
 John's hallucinations intensify during times of high stress, such
as when he is overwhelmed by his work or when Alicia becomes
pregnant.
4. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of your chosen literary theory in
analyzing the film's elements.
Strengths:
 Psychoanalytic theory helps to explain the complex nature of
John's schizophrenia and its impact on his life.
 The theory sheds light on the importance of relationships,
personal history, and unconscious motivations in the film's
narrative.
Limitations:
 The theory may oversimplify the causes of schizophrenia by
focusing primarily on psychological factors.
 It may not fully account for the societal and cultural factors that
contribute to the film's themes and messages.
IV. Alternate Literary Theory
5. Choose another literary theory and repeat steps 2-4 for the same film.
Chosen literary theory: New Historicism Explanation of main concepts and
principles:
 Literature and art should be analyzed within their historical and
cultural contexts.
 Society shapes individual experiences and identities.

Power structures and ideologies are embedded in cultural texts.
Analysis:
The film explores the societal attitudes and expectations
surrounding mental illness and genius during the mid-20th
century.
The film examines the impact of the Cold War on American academia
and the pressure to contribute to national defense efforts.
The narrative highlights the evolution of mental health treatment and
understanding over several decades.



Example(s):
 John's work as a codebreaker during the Cold War demonstrates the
ways in which academic research was influenced by political agendas.
 The use of insulin shock therapy to treat John's schizophrenia reflects
the limited understanding and sometimes-harmful treatment methods
of mental illness during that time period.
 The eventual acceptance and recognition of John's achievements,
despite his mental illness, represent a shift in societal attitudes toward
mental health.
Strengths:
 New Historicism provides a broader perspective on the film's themes by
considering the historical and cultural contexts.
 The theory emphasizes the role of societal factors in shaping the
experiences of the characters and the narrative.
Limitations:
 New Historicism may overlook the personal and psychological
dimensions of the film by focusing primarily on external factors.
 It may not fully explore the emotional and subjective aspects of the
characters and their relationships.
V. Comparison and Evaluation
6. Compare and contrast the two analyses and evaluate the effectiveness
of each theory in interpreting the film.
Comparison:
 Psychoanalytic theory offers a deeper understanding of John
Nash's inner world and the role of his unconscious mind in
shaping his experiences.
 New Historicism helps contextualize the film's narrative within
the broader historical and cultural landscape, highlighting the
societal factors that influence the characters and their
experiences.
Evaluation:
 Both theories are effective in interpreting different aspects of the
film, with psychoanalytic theory providing a more personal
perspective, while New Historicism emphasizes the larger societal
context.
 A combination of both theories can lead to a more comprehensive
understanding of the film's themes and messages.
VI. Synthesis and Interpretation
7. Synthesize your analyses and arguments to produce a comprehensive
interpretation of the film.
Comprehensive interpretation: "A Beautiful Mind" is a complex exploration of
the intertwined nature of genius and madness, as well as the impact of
societal expectations and historical context on the experiences of individuals.
By using both psychoanalytic theory and New Historicism, we gain a deeper
understanding of John Nash's inner struggles and the external forces that
shape his life, ultimately revealing the power of love, resilience, and human
connection in overcoming adversity.
VII. Reflection
8. Reflect on your experience of analyzing a film using literary theories.
a) What did you learn about the film and the literary theories? Analyzing "A
Beautiful Mind" through different literary theories illuminated various aspects
of the film and enriched my understanding of its themes and messages. Each
theory provided unique insights, demonstrating the value of considering
multiple perspectives when analyzing a film.
b) How did the use of literary theories affect your understanding of the film
and its elements? Applying literary theories to the film deepened my
understanding of the characters, their motivations, and the broader context
in which the story unfolds. This analysis helped me appreciate the
complexities of the film's narrative and the ways in which both personal and
societal factors contribute to the characters' experiences.