The art of filmmaking: Why do we love movies so much?

In terms of cinema, nowadays there is definitely a lot to choose from. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Scream horror movie saga are considered by many as some of the most sensational pieces of cinema made in the past century. Or are you one of those folks who prefers watching the first black and white movies that made it a blockbuster hit in early Hollywood? People have always loved movies. Ever since they started gaining popularity as a form of entertainment, the trend has continued unabated. But I can’t help wondering, what gets us all so obsessed with movies, characters, and different types of TV-series? 

Many of us love realistic-looking special effects, iconic and memorable movie soundtracks, relatable characters, skilled storytelling, and professional directing. I myself am always smitten by well built characters. Just seeing depth and personality in a character makes them so much more intriguing to watch every time they appear on screen. I always find myself waiting for specific characters when I’m watching my favorite movies and series, just because they are written so well. The commitment that an actor puts in to bring a character to life often goes unnoticed by a lot of the watchers. Movies also make you feel heard and seen. I think that is the core idea of cinema. To picture what it is being human as a whole, but also to take us to dazzling worlds we have never seen. Many of us love characters that remind us at least a little bit of ourselves. Maybe their past is similar to yours, or their humour and quick wit have you fighting for your life holding in your laugh. I could almost promise, every single one of us has had a fictional crush, at least at some point in our lives. You find yourself thinking about a person all day long that doesn’t even exist. It’s a canon event.

One famous male actor that is known for going extreme measures to fit roles is Christian Bale. Some of the movies he is known for are American Psycho (2000), The Machinist (2004) and The Dark Knight (2008). He has weighed everywhere between 120 lbs (55 kg)  to 230 lbs (104 kg) just to portray some of the characters he has played. He has said “I don’t think I’m like any of the characters I’ve played. They’re all really far from who I am.” He has told the public that he even got caps on his teeth for the role of Patrick Bateman just to fit the character’s polished image, and for the role of Richard Bruce Cheney (Vice, 2018) he bleached his eyebrows and gained over 40 lbs (18 kg). If you are looking for the embodiment of commitment and dedication, Bale is the man for you. 

So as a whole, what is it that we love about cinematography? I think there isn’t just one straight answer. We all love cinema for different reasons. It connects people coming from different backgrounds and builds communities and fan bases that mean a lot to many individuals. It makes us feel understood in times of misunderstanding and loneliness. It shapes our standards for romance and connection. Movies also change our perspective of the world, sometimes by a lot. They don’t say that a great movie can change your life for no reason. 

“The cinema has no boundary; It is a ribbon of dream.” – Orson Welles, director, actor, and a screenwriter

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