The Makings of a Classic

A primer on what makes a film stand out as one of the greats

How do films create a spectacle so rich that they can catapult us into living our lives differently? The secret is actually more simple and obvious than at first may appear. There are at least three things that help to make a movie great: a clear story with believable conflict, good characters (who are relatable) and, third, attention to the details. When orchestrated properly, the three join together to create a concentration of sound and imagery that is nothing less than magical.

The classics are often, at their core, based on a simple story. Citizen Kane is anchored by the tale of a wealthy man searching for love. Forest Gump is the story of a childlike man propelling through decades of change continually trying to reconnect with one woman. Star Wars is a familiar tale about the triumph of good over evil by the underdog. These stories have a very simple and clear conflict that must be encountered and resolved. Here, simple doesn’t necessarily mean uncomplicated. It means that the drive of the characters and the desire for resolution usually arises from some very basic needs, wants or desires. It also means that the story isn’t convoluted or beyond a point of believability. While it might have a complex storyline, it is still relateable. Whether it is the search for love or…