week 12

"Duck Soup" and "The Way Things Go" are similar because they both, to one degree or another, intervene on what we are familiar with by putting a new spin on it. In the case of "Duck Soup" the various comedic skits acted out draw our attention away from the all important narrative and sometimes intervene with the plot directly. These frequent bursts of comedic value delightfully interfere with the motives of the characters. However, it is fair to say that they major strength of "Duck Soup" lies in its eccentric humor which greatly distances itself from its cohesive narrative. Though hilarious and very enjoyable to watch "Duck Soup" does not offer much beyond the realm of comedy.

In the case of "The Way Things Go" spectacle plays a key role in its overall value as a film. It works with a continuous narrative that never ceases to hold our attention for a second - the viewer is always anticipating what will happen next. The massive chain reaction is easy to marvel but the film offers more than just spectacle. It gives a new perspective on the potential of household items beyond their intended use. In this sense alone "The Way Things Go" could be considered an intervention by using items out of context not for their intended use and, in terms of how narrative is effected, expresses the conventional "cause and effect" plot, usually involving a protagonist and antagonist played out through characters, through objects which are often thought of only as insignificant or necessary tools for serving an intended purpose.