How to Analyze Character Development in Classic Films Guide
How to Study Character Development in Classic Movies: A Masterclass
Character development is the lifeblood of film narrative, taking mundane stories and turning them into unforgettable journeys that endure across generations. As you sit to watch a classic movie such as The Godfather or Casablanca, you're not simply watching plot happen—you're seeing human change in its most engaging package. Learning to deconstruct the development of character in great movies unlocks completely new levels of appreciation for the art and greatest works of cinema, enabling you to see the advanced storytelling methods that have inspired filmmakers for decades.
Understanding Character Arcs: The Foundation of Great Storytelling
Character development, or as it is commonly called, a character arc, is the change or development that a character will experience over the course of a story. The change happens as characters react to obstacles, conflict, and epiphanies that challenge their values, beliefs, and very essence. The most compelling movies have characters who start out as one kind of person and end up changed at their core by what has happened to them.
Character development, or as it is commonly called, a character arc, is the change or development that a character will experience over the course of a story. The change happens as characters react to obstacles, conflict, and epiphanies that challenge their values, beliefs, and very essence. The most compelling movies have characters who start out as one kind of person and end up changed at their core by what has happened to them.
A character arc fulfills several essential roles within a narrative. It engages audiences emotionally, makes characters more relatable and complex, propels the plot through character action, and offers consummation in the story. Without successful character development, even the most dazzling action scenes or breathtaking graphics are pointless because audiences do not care about what happens.
The Three Primary Types of Character Arcs
Knowing the different character arcs allows you to recognize and dissect the individual journey that every character undergoes. Character arcs have three general categories:
Knowing the different character arcs allows you to recognize and dissect the individual journey that every character undergoes. Character arcs have three general categories:
Positive Character Arc (Moral Ascending)
A character will experience a positive character arc when he or she experiences transformative change, which leads to personal growth, transformation, or redemption. Classic instances are the character arc of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: A New Hope and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Both characters move beyond personal weaknesses and self-limiting beliefs to become improved versions of themselves.
A character will experience a positive character arc when he or she experiences transformative change, which leads to personal growth, transformation, or redemption. Classic instances are the character arc of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: A New Hope and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Both characters move beyond personal weaknesses and self-limiting beliefs to become improved versions of themselves.
Negative Character Arc (Moral Descending)
A negative character arc is one in which a character falls or deteriorates, usually because of their own fault or situation. This category comprises corruption arcs wherein basically good characters opt for darkness over light. Michael Corleone's transformation in The Godfather stands out as probably the greatest example of this arc category, as he becomes from an unwilling family outsider to a cold-blooded mafia leader.
A negative character arc is one in which a character falls or deteriorates, usually because of their own fault or situation. This category comprises corruption arcs wherein basically good characters opt for darkness over light. Michael Corleone's transformation in The Godfather stands out as probably the greatest example of this arc category, as he becomes from an unwilling family outsider to a cold-blooded mafia leader.
Flat Character Arc
Flat character development is when a character doesn't really change throughout the course of the story, but can be a force of change for other characters. These characters hold robust, unshakeable values that affect those around them but aren't affected by them. Examples are atticus finch from To Kill a Mockingbird or Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
Flat character development is when a character doesn't really change throughout the course of the story, but can be a force of change for other characters. These characters hold robust, unshakeable values that affect those around them but aren't affected by them. Examples are atticus finch from To Kill a Mockingbird or Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
Finding Character Development: Main Items to Observe
When discussing character development in traditional films, pay attention to several key factors that demonstrate the complexity and richness of character build-up.
When discussing character development in traditional films, pay attention to several key factors that demonstrate the complexity and richness of character build-up.
Initial Character State and Motivation
All good characters start with well-delineated needs and desires. The desire is what the character wants consciously, usually something outside of themselves and concrete. The need is what the character truly needs to grow—usually an inner awareness or moral shift. These things tend to be at odds, and this creates the internal conflict that fuels character growth.
All good characters start with well-delineated needs and desires. The desire is what the character wants consciously, usually something outside of themselves and concrete. The need is what the character truly needs to grow—usually an inner awareness or moral shift. These things tend to be at odds, and this creates the internal conflict that fuels character growth.
Character Flaws and Obstacles
Successful character development relies on what keeps characters back. Flaws in character—pride, fear, selfishness, or naivety—provide the source of the obstacles character must overcome to realize growth. These flaws tend to blind characters to critical realities about themselves or their circumstances and make their eventual realization and breaking free of these limitations all the more impactful.
Successful character development relies on what keeps characters back. Flaws in character—pride, fear, selfishness, or naivety—provide the source of the obstacles character must overcome to realize growth. These flaws tend to blind characters to critical realities about themselves or their circumstances and make their eventual realization and breaking free of these limitations all the more impactful.
Transformation Moments and Turning Points
Classic films typically feature specific moments where characters face crucial decisions that reveal their true nature or catalyze significant change. These transformation moments often occur during high-stakes situations where characters must choose between their old ways and new possibilities.
Classic films typically feature specific moments where characters face crucial decisions that reveal their true nature or catalyze significant change. These transformation moments often occur during high-stakes situations where characters must choose between their old ways and new possibilities.
Case Study: Michael Corleone's Corruption Arc in The Godfather
Michael Corleone's character journey in The Godfather series is one of the greatest in cinema, and one of its finest examples of a corruption arc as a good character deliberately opts for darkness.
Michael Corleone's character journey in The Godfather series is one of the greatest in cinema, and one of its finest examples of a corruption arc as a good character deliberately opts for darkness.
The Reluctant Outsider (Initial State)
By the beginning of the movie, Michael is introduced as intentionally apart from his criminal family business. He's a decorated war veteran going out with the quintessentially American Kay Adams, publicly placing himself away from the sordid dynamics that characterize his family name. When he says to Kay, "That's my family, Kay. That's not me," he sets his first character state as a person who has opted differently.
By the beginning of the movie, Michael is introduced as intentionally apart from his criminal family business. He's a decorated war veteran going out with the quintessentially American Kay Adams, publicly placing himself away from the sordid dynamics that characterize his family name. When he says to Kay, "That's my family, Kay. That's not me," he sets his first character state as a person who has opted differently.
The Catalyst for Change
Michael's metamorphosis starts when circumstances compel him to acknowledge that his efforts to keep himself apart from his family are useless. His father's attempted assassination and his own beating by a crooked police captain are the catalysts that draw him into the family business. Volunteering for the restaurant assassination of Sollozzo and McCluskey is the turning point, as he crosses the line from outsider to full participant in violence.
Michael's metamorphosis starts when circumstances compel him to acknowledge that his efforts to keep himself apart from his family are useless. His father's attempted assassination and his own beating by a crooked police captain are the catalysts that draw him into the family business. Volunteering for the restaurant assassination of Sollozzo and McCluskey is the turning point, as he crosses the line from outsider to full participant in violence.
The Gradual Descent
The brilliance of Michael's character development comes in its graduality. Every choice he makes seems rational and understandable under the circumstances, but every move further distances him from his initial ethical position. His experiences in Sicily, with both love and tragedy, finalize his realization that violence will be his constant companion no matter where he is.
The brilliance of Michael's character development comes in its graduality. Every choice he makes seems rational and understandable under the circumstances, but every move further distances him from his initial ethical position. His experiences in Sicily, with both love and tragedy, finalize his realization that violence will be his constant companion no matter where he is.
The Complete Transformation
By the end of the movie, Michael is everything he originally turned his back on. The baptism scene, in which he orders the killing of enemy family leaders while godfather to his nephew, cinches his full reversal. The last shot of the door closing on Kay is a metaphor for not only his rejection of his old life, but for the death of the Michael she originally knew.
By the end of the movie, Michael is everything he originally turned his back on. The baptism scene, in which he orders the killing of enemy family leaders while godfather to his nephew, cinches his full reversal. The last shot of the door closing on Kay is a metaphor for not only his rejection of his old life, but for the death of the Michael she originally knew.
Case Study: Rick Blaine's Redemption Arc in Casablanca
Rick Blaine's character development in Casablanca illustrates a different kind of transformation—cynical isolation to heroic sacrifice. This development indicates how classic films are able to craft rich character development despite the limitations of having only one narrative.
Rick Blaine's character development in Casablanca illustrates a different kind of transformation—cynical isolation to heroic sacrifice. This development indicates how classic films are able to craft rich character development despite the limitations of having only one narrative.
The Cynical Isolationist
When audiences first meet Rick, he embodies cynical detachment. His famous motto, "I stick my neck out for nobody," defines his approach to the war-torn world around him. Yet subtle clues throughout the early scenes hint at his hidden political sympathies and underlying decency.
When audiences first meet Rick, he embodies cynical detachment. His famous motto, "I stick my neck out for nobody," defines his approach to the war-torn world around him. Yet subtle clues throughout the early scenes hint at his hidden political sympathies and underlying decency.
The Catalyst of Lost Love
Ilsa's return to Casablanca is what prompts Rick to re-evaluate his past and rethink his beliefs. The flashbacks to Paris bring out the younger, better version of Rick, giving viewers a background on how heartbreak changed him into the pessimistic character they first met.
Ilsa's return to Casablanca is what prompts Rick to re-evaluate his past and rethink his beliefs. The flashbacks to Paris bring out the younger, better version of Rick, giving viewers a background on how heartbreak changed him into the pessimistic character they first met.
The Choice Between Love and Duty
Rick's character growth peaks when he makes the choice to put individual happiness aside for the greater good. His decision to let Ilsa leave with her husband Victor Laszlo is not only romantic sacrifice, but his realization that individual desires need to give way at times to greater moral obligations. As he assures Ilsa, "the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world".
Rick's character growth peaks when he makes the choice to put individual happiness aside for the greater good. His decision to let Ilsa leave with her husband Victor Laszlo is not only romantic sacrifice, but his realization that individual desires need to give way at times to greater moral obligations. As he assures Ilsa, "the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world".
Analyzing Supporting Character Development
Though protagonists are generally the most well-known in character development studies, supporting characters also experience drastic changes that enrich the overall story. In Casablanca, for example, Captain Renault's progression from opportunistic collaborator to principled ally is reflective of Rick's personal change. In The Godfather, too, Kay Adams changes from naive outsider to someone who identifies with and ultimately resists the corruption around her.
Though protagonists are generally the most well-known in character development studies, supporting characters also experience drastic changes that enrich the overall story. In Casablanca, for example, Captain Renault's progression from opportunistic collaborator to principled ally is reflective of Rick's personal change. In The Godfather, too, Kay Adams changes from naive outsider to someone who identifies with and ultimately resists the corruption around her.
Tools and Techniques for Character Analysis
The Want vs. Need Framework
One of the best character analysis tools is recognizing the difference between what characters desire (wants) and what they require (needs). Characters tend to go after surface-level desires (wants) that cover up more profound psychological needs (needs). Michael Corleone desires to keep his family safe, but he needs to prevent the corruption inherent in the means he takes.
One of the best character analysis tools is recognizing the difference between what characters desire (wants) and what they require (needs). Characters tend to go after surface-level desires (wants) that cover up more profound psychological needs (needs). Michael Corleone desires to keep his family safe, but he needs to prevent the corruption inherent in the means he takes.
Monitoring Dialogue and Behavior Shifts
Pay attention to how characters talk and behave differently as movies unfold. Observe changes in language, confidence levels, moral stances, and relationship dynamics. These small changes tend to better depict character development than dramatic scenes.
Pay attention to how characters talk and behave differently as movies unfold. Observe changes in language, confidence levels, moral stances, and relationship dynamics. These small changes tend to better depict character development than dramatic scenes.
Finding Symbolic Elements
Traditionally, movies often rely on visual and symbolic elements to support character development. Changes in attire, changes in environment, and motifs repeated often reflect internal character changes.
Traditionally, movies often rely on visual and symbolic elements to support character development. Changes in attire, changes in environment, and motifs repeated often reflect internal character changes.
Common Errors in Character Development Analysis
When examining character development, steer clear of the following pitfalls:
When examining character development, steer clear of the following pitfalls:
Mixing Up Plot Events and Character Development
Character development is internal, not external. A character going through various situations is not necessarily developing unless those experiences lead to internal change.
Character development is internal, not external. A character going through various situations is not necessarily developing unless those experiences lead to internal change.
Forgetting Subtle Character Developments
Not all character development is high-drama. At times, the deepest developments come through subtle adjustments in attitude, values, or habits of behavior.
Not all character development is high-drama. At times, the deepest developments come through subtle adjustments in attitude, values, or habits of behavior.
Forgetting Supporting Character Arcs
While heroes propel the core story, secondary characters tend to supply key observations about themes and competing solutions to key struggles.
While heroes propel the core story, secondary characters tend to supply key observations about themes and competing solutions to key struggles.
Applying Character Development Analysis to Contemporary Viewing
An understanding of character development in classic movies makes you appreciate not just the history of cinema, but also modern-day films. Contemporary filmmakers still borrow lessons from the character development strategies used in the classics such as The Godfather and Casablanca. An understanding of these patterns enables you to spot refined storytelling in modern films and why some films create a lasting legacy while others are forgotten.
An understanding of character development in classic movies makes you appreciate not just the history of cinema, but also modern-day films. Contemporary filmmakers still borrow lessons from the character development strategies used in the classics such as The Godfather and Casablanca. An understanding of these patterns enables you to spot refined storytelling in modern films and why some films create a lasting legacy while others are forgotten.
Character analysis is also worth much to those interested in storytelling in general, whether it's in movies, literature, or other forms of storytelling. What makes character arcs effective in classic films works in every form of storytelling.
Traditional films continue to be current just because they expertly mastered the art of character development, producing changes that resonate with human experience. By learning how to dissect these character changes, you gain a richer understanding of the art of storytelling and equip yourself with tools for comprehending human nature itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between character development and character growth?
A: While often used interchangeably, character development refers to the overall process of revealing and changing a character throughout a story, while character growth specifically refers to positive internal changes. Character development can include negative transformations (like Michael Corleone's corruption) or flat arcs where characters remain unchanged but influence others.
Q: How can I tell if a character arc is well-written or poorly executed?
A: Well-written character arcs feel both surprising and inevitable. The changes should be earned through the character's experiences and choices, not forced by plot convenience. Look for consistent internal logic, gradual progression, and clear cause-and-effect relationships between events and character changes. The transformation should feel meaningful and connected to the story's themes.
Q: Do all characters in a film need to have character arcs?
A: No, not every character needs a complete arc. Films typically focus development on protagonists and key supporting characters. Some characters serve specific functions (providing information, creating obstacles, representing themes) without requiring personal transformation. However, the most memorable films usually ensure that major characters experience some form of development or serve as catalysts for others' growth.
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