The Four Functions of a Film Review - Caroline

There are four functions to a film review:

• Journalism
• Advertising
• Criticism
• Rhetoric (writing)

When it comes to Journalism there are two types -

• Journalism of opinion which presents a considered opinion on the film backed up with arguments and contentual information
• Jounalism of taste in which the journalist simly gives an evaluation of the film. 

As advertising, a film review usually acts to publicise and promote a film, in order to encourage the audience to watch the film, however the opposite is also true in a negative review.

As criticism, a review involves the description, analysis, and evaluation of films. 

As writing, reviews are in essay form and may be read for entertainment and inromation. They are also read simply on their literary merit. 

Film reviews usually contain

• A condensed plot synopsis

• Background information (see film Glossary in text)

• A set of abbreviated arguments about the film

• An evaluation

What reviewers tend to look for when they evaluate a film:

• The motivation of what happens in a film

• Entertainment value

• Social value