A Freeman Presentation

It was rushed, and you all know it! Aaagh!...

I gave an introduction to the rest of my FS class in referance to my SSR project on (yes, you guessed it) Mr. Morgan Freeman. I explained my hypothesis/statement, and what my intentions are for this segment of the course.

The presentation itself included a film clip from Bruce Almighty, which presents us with a personal and intimate conversation between main protagonist Bruce (Jim Carrey) and God (Freeman!). I chose this clip out of others for one significant factor, which I believed at the time (and still do) was that the scene shows us, the viewer, an insight to Bruce's experience of learning a lesson from a much higher power - God.



We copy what Bruce does, we attentively listen to Freeman's words of wisdom, as he gives the reporter only a few sentences with his authouritive voice, as only a few sentences is all Freeman needs to put us in a trance of a near-religious nature.

Oh isn't that a coinsedent? I'm talking about how Freeman fans and viewers can look at the performer as a religous character, and I just so happened to pick a scene where he plays (dare I say it "of all people,"), God himself!

With the presentation, it was down to either the closing scene of Bruce Almighty, or the ending scene of Se7en that would have been used to help back-up my hypothesis and thoughts of my subject, as either of the scenes put Freeman in a position of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. However, the endings to each of the films have complete opposite resolutions (Bruce Almighty ends with a moral, which is sent with happiness and rejoice. Se7en however, portrays a much more tragic fall for protagonist Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt), as Freeman's character Detective William Somerset is seen distraught and defeated after failing his efforts to make cop David Mills do the right thing and surpress himself from commiting the last (and as portrayed in this film, the most dramatically inevitable) sin of the all, wrath.



*BACK TO THE PRESENTATION!

I got varied responses from my fellow Film Students, with their thoughts on Morgan Freeman's performances' effects in a film, but more importantly on their effects on the viewer. Most students referred to personal experiences, as so did I, but as a group we tread ground on the codes and conventions of Freeman's characters:
- The connections between each of his characters in a series of films he's appeared in.
- The performances themselves - critical analysis on his character's motives, attitudes, backgrounds, beliefs and perceptions.

At the closing moments of my presentation, I stated my future intentions and objectives:

1.) To research and explore the vast pool of thoughts and studies on Morgan Freeman and his characters, via blogs, discussion boards and Focus Groups.

2.) To research interviews of Morgan Freeman, and study his own thoughts and opinions on his performances through a range of his films; in particular, films that portray his characters as how Freeman himself is seen by his fan base - moralistic, wise, and fatherly.

*There's always room for improvement, and help would be much appreciated. Any links, videos, books, ect. on my subject that you may come across, please notify me...or else.

'"Or else" what?'.

'Oh I dunno, it's just an expression...'

A Freeman Introduction

Greetings fellow Bloggers. I'm a student at Welling 6th Form, and this particular blog is specified at a current Film Studies project; a SSR (Small Scale Research) on a chosen subject, which/who shall be researched and undergo thorough investigation in an attempt to gather sufficient information and discuss a provided (and self made) hypothesis/statement:

"An exploration of the influence that Morgan freeman's performances have on the idealogical values of his fans."

I have chose three films that shall be at the core of my study, one which is a Focus Film, with the other two for back-up information and to help reinforce my ideas. And these are:
Focus Film - The Shawshank Redemption (Frank Darabont, 1994)
Secondary and Back-up films - Bruce Almighty (Tom Shadyac, 2003), and Seven (David Fincher, 1995)

I chose these films for fairly obvious, but none-the-less valuble reasons. In each of the three films, actor Morgan Freeman has performed and played roles which have depicted a man of much wise, knowledgeable, moralistic and fatherly values. A person who all viewers like to percieve as the wise, old, inspirational figure. Through personal experiences, I can confidantly say that after watching the performances that Freeman presents mtself and fellow viewers, we leave the cinema screening (or DVD player) with a wierd feeling, as if we have just gone through a life changing session on moralistic values. I have often walked away from films such as The Shawshank Redemption and Seven, questioning my own perceptions and thoughts on life, and how 'good a person' I am.

Some (including me) can say that Morgan Freeman is almost a figure of religious stature; a person to worship almost. As viewers, we listen carefully do his demeaning voice and take in his words of perfected understanding, as if it is Freeman himself reaching out to us, giving us fortunate folk the chance of bettering ourselves. This can most apparent to me in my early teen years, as I was a true obsessive of Tom Shadyac's Bruce Almighty...

...wait, there's more to come.