The Art and Science behind Ron Howards movies Essay

The Art and Science behind Ron Howards movies - Essay Example Although these two movies dive deeply into the struggles of human life: one inevitable (old age) and the other unfortunate (schizophrenia). This write-up explores Ron Howard’s work in both of these movies, focusing on the distinct style the director has used for respective storytelling. Director’s Cut Cocoon (1985) â€Å"Something extraordinary and unexpected can happen any time.† (Gray, 2003) Calling Cocoon just a science fiction movie would be wrong on my part and would not do justice to Howard’s vision of David Saperstein’s unpublished novel (Gray, 2003). The film explores multiple interwoven themes such as ageing, life’s sufferings associated with age, friendships, relationships, aliens etc. and genres such as comedy, science fiction and inspirational drama. There are several storylines that run throughout the movie; (i) that of three-retirement community senior citizens, Arthur (Don Ameche), Ben (Wilford Brimley), and Joe (Hume Cronyn) w ho yearn to bring back their youth and energy, which they used to rekindle their sexual desires and to engage in socializing and enjoying life once again (ii) another senior citizen Bernie (Jack Gilford) whose pessimistic attitude and stand on ethics costs him the life of his wife (iii) a group of aliens from planet Antarea led by Walter (Brian Dennehy) who return to earth in search of their fellow Antareans and who stumble upon emotions that could only be experienced by a human. The way Howard details the lives of all these individuals, particularly life in elderly homes (that can tend to be a dragging subject), is impressive. He shares the same stories from different perspectives, that of grandparents and grandsons, aliens and humans, young and old. The movie ends with senior citizens (except Bernie) joining the... This "The Art and Science behind Ron Howard’s movies" essay outlines the common features in Howrd’s movies and his filmmaking style. Calling Cocoon just a science fiction movie would be wrong on my part and would not do justice to Howard’s vision of David Saperstein’s unpublished novel (Gray, 2003). The film explores multiple interwoven themes such as ageing, life’s sufferings associated with age, friendships, relationships, aliens etc. and genres such as comedy, science fiction and inspirational drama. There are several storylines that run throughout the movie; (i) that of three-retirement community senior citizens, Arthur (Don Ameche), Ben (Wilford Brimley), and Joe (Hume Cronyn) who yearn to bring back their youth and energy, which they used to rekindle their sexual desires and to engage in socializing and enjoying life once again (ii) another senior citizen Bernie (Jack Gilford) whose pessimistic attitude and stand on ethics costs him the life o f his wife (iii) a group of aliens from planet Antarea led by Walter (Brian Dennehy) who return to earth in search of their fellow Antareans and who stumble upon emotions that could only be experienced by a human. He shares the same stories from different perspectives, that of grandparents and grandsons, aliens and humans, young and old. The movie ends with senior citizens joining the Antareans to opt for an eternal life on another planet and to undo the humiliation they have suffered from their age. It leaves with an ambiguous ending, questioning the rightness of their decision.