Cinema – Psychological Power, Essay Example

The psychological impact of film works on audiences in several different ways.  These can include the ability of audiences to relate to the characters they see onscreen, the manner in which the immediacy of film creates a sense of importance for the viewer, and the way that films provide audiences with an opportunity to live vicariously through the exploits of fictional characters.  As Thomas Wartenberg writes in his study of the emotional engagement of film audiences, “we care about what happens in films because films get us to imagine things taking place, things that we do care about. Because how we imagine things working out does affect our emotions, fiction films have an emotional impact upon us” (Wartenberg).  The 2006 Alfonso Cuaron film Children of Men provides an excellent example of the great psychological power that films can have over their audiences.

Based on a novel by P.D. James, Children of Men presents its audience with an near-future world in which all women have become infertile, thus leading to a nihilistic and hopeless society that sees its end approaching.  As stated succinctly on the movie poster:  “no children, no future, no hope.  But all that can change in a heartbeat” (Children of Men).  The change referred to here is the sudden appearance of a young pregnant girl who comes to represent all of the hopes and terrors of this flailing society.  This film carries a high level of psychological impact because it is, in essence, interested in the end of the world, a topic that many viewers can relate to and find themselves moved by.  The actions of reluctant hero, Theo Faron, allow for the audience to empathize with his unwillingness to get involved and root for him when he eventually gets pulled into the intrigue surrounding the girl’s appearance.  The film is also visually stimulating, with many intense action scenes that are designed to engage the audience on a physical and emotional level.