BATMAN
US, 1989, 126 minutes, Colour.
Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, Jack Palance, Michael Gough.
Directed by Tim Burton.
Batman is an offbeat film. According to commentators, it is closer to the original comics of the '40s than to the popular campy version of the '60s. Bruce Wayne is the millionaire who has finances and leisure to combat crime - though it is never explained why it should be with the costume and the name of Batman (despite some bats in the cave). However, the villain is larger than life, the Joker, Jack Napier disfigured in a vat of chemicals and then controlling Gotham City.
The most striking thing about the film is the set decoration and design. The picture of Gotham City is reminiscent of the Fritz Lang, Metropolis-like films of the German film industry of the '30s. Though in colour, there is a great emphasis on black and white, shadows and darkness. Things are corrupt in this Gotham City.
There is a good musical score as well as songs by Prince and themes such as `Beautiful Dreamer' for the heroine Vicki Vale. Michael Keaton is extraordinarily composed (clean and sober) as Bruce Wayne and as Batman. Compared with the Joker, he is very staid. Jack Nicholson enjoys himself with a more than over the top performance as the Joker, comic remarks, song and dance routines, funny faces. (It is even more eccentric than his Devil in The Witches of Eastwick.) Vicki Vale is played by Kim Basinger and there is a good supporting cast led by Michael Gough as Alfred and Jack Palance is the villain. Direction is by Tim Burton (Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Beetlejuice). Most critics remarked that he is better in his visual design and pictorial presentation of his theme rather than in storytelling. This is rather true - Joker is extraordinarily comic, Batman extraordinarily serious. It is the kind of film that is written about in books perhaps more than enjoyed by the popular audiences.
1.The reputation of the film? Its impact? Aim?
2.The portrait of Gotham City: ugliness, darkness, evil, the buildings and the shapes, City Hall and its steps, the warehouses, mansions, the cathedral and the belfry? Batman within this context? The Joker within this context? Musical score, songs by Prince, themes like `Beautiful Dreamer'?
3.The scope of the film: the original comics, the atmosphere of the '30s and '40s, Superman and the saviours from evil? The comparisons with the camp style of the comicbook '60s film and television series? This camp style being avoided here? The confrontation between Batman and Joker? Between Batman and Bruce Wayne? Serious/comic?
4.The opening with Gotham City, the family seeking a taxi, their being robbed, the sleazy muggers, counting the money? The echoes of what we see of Bruce Wayne's losing his parents? Batman and his confrontation of the muggers, his warning to all criminals in Gotham City?
5.The city, the square being shown with the Monarch Theatre, poverty, drabness? Grissom and the businessman's power over the city? Celebrating its 200 years? The mayor (look alike of Mayor Ed Koch of the period)? The police chief and his work, the new district attorney? The celebrations, the press conferences - especially about law and order issues?
6.Grissom and his power, Jack Napier and his role? With Grissom's girlfriend and his encounters with her? Grissom setting him up, the raid, the empty files, the police? Napier and the pay-off of the police chief, then killing him? Gordon trying to stop killings in the raid? Batman's arrival?
7.Alexander Knox, the newspaper, his reports? Vicki Vale and her reputation as a photographer? Going to the party, the social encounter, looking at Bruce Wayne's collection and their hostile comments? Vicki meeting Bruce Wayne, his shyness, awkwardness? Giving the grant to Alex? Alfred and his assistance of Wayne at the party?
8.Bruce Wayne as Batman: his motives, the visualising of the past story, its effect on him, psychological imbalance, his wealth, eccentricity, social standing? Alfred and his care and advice? Computers, science? Anti Grissom and Napier? Confronting the mothers? His cave, the bats, his cape and dress, his techniques, lines for ascending and descending? The car and its power, its shield? The rescues? Wayne and his ordinary life, the encounter with Vicki, the night with her, his disappearance and her upset? His telling her the truth - and her lack of reaction? His personal awkwardness, the rescues - and the happy ending?
9.Alex and his reports, the interviews, the publication?
10.Vicki, her career, her push, fascination with Wayne, the rescues, the restaurant, taking the photos, Batman taking the film? Jack Napier, the mask at the restaurant? The crisis with Batman, the cathedral, the fight between Batman and Jack? The happy ending?
11.Jack and Grissom's girlfriend, his wisecracks, the encounter with Grissom, the raid, his being betrayed? Killing the policeman? His decision to take over? Batman, the vat and his disfigurement, the plastic surgeon? The meeting with the board, burning the hand of the businessman and his turning into a corpse? His mania, his songs and dances, quips, ...(face) His song and dance routines, rock and roll? Going to the art gallery and defacing the paintings? The procession and his giving away cash? The death of Grissom? The confrontation with the mayor? His television interference? The eccentric advertisements, people with the grins? His plans with the chemicals and their effect? His scarred girlfriend, her death? Attraction towards Vicki, in the restaurant, Batman and the rescue? His revenge, the television, shooting Bob? The encounter at City Hall with the various mimes? The parade? The cathedral, the confrontation, the vat in the belfry? The fight, his death? Symbol of evil? Maniacal humour? The glimpse of his past, his youthfulness, career in crime?
12.Grissom, sinister, his power, girlfriend, setting up Jack and killing him? His manoeuvres - but his own death?
13.The mayor, the concern, the police, the DA? Intervention, concern about Batman, press conference at City Hall? The finale?
14.Alfred, his care of Bruce Wayne, the English butler style?
15.The traditions of the saviours of the human race? The '80s variation? Serious? Entertainment?
