GREAT MOVIE (if you know the Art of Storytelling)

WHY LEAVING LAS VEGAS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND MOVE WATCHING 101
---It follows story structure to a *T*--if you take 60-minutes to read up on "The Hero Journey"/"Joseph Campbell"--and understand "Archetype"---you'll appreciate CINEMA (and Leaving Las Vegas on an ENTIRELY NEW LEVEL OF APPRECIATION).

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I work "in the industry". It's little known to the Public at large.

(Cameron Diaz joked about it when commenting on "Being John Malcovich").

On Being John Malkovich (1999): "It`s been said that in Hollywood there are only 14 different scripts. Well, this is number 15."

*ALL* Hollywood scripts follow a Pattern called "The Hero Journey" (they later Renamed it to "The Monomyth" ("One Myth")--I hate they renamed it, because "Monomyth" sounds too "weird".

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"The Monomyth"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monomyth

"Joseph Campbell"--"created" this Story Structure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell
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WHO WAS THE FIRST HOLLYWOOD DIRECTOR TO DO THIS-USE THIS STORY STRUCTURE?
********George Lucas-Star Wars**********.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell#Film

George Lucas was the first Hollywood filmmaker to credit Campbell's influence. Lucas stated following the release of the first Star Wars film in 1977 that its story was shaped, in part, by ideas described in The Hero with a Thousand Faces and other works of Campbell's. The linkage between Star Wars and Campbell was further reinforced when later reprints of Campbell's book used the image of Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker on the cover.[37] Lucas discusses this influence at great length in the authorized biography of Joseph Campbell, A Fire in the Mind:
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why is this important to the Movie Leaving Las Vegas?
--First, (admittedly in the Biz--thus a bias)--HOWEVER,I think it's important people understand *WHY* Characters behave as they do.
--2nd-This is a Semi-Autobiographical Story--(Author John O'Brien, on whose novel this movie is based, committed suicide two weeks after the movie went into production). --Thus respect for the Legacy of work left behind.

3rd-Most Important of all---not until I got into the Biz--and *REALLY* started to understand Story Structure, Meaning,etc. Did I realize how much more *FUN*--INTERESTING--"In depth" you can immerse yourself into a movie and enjoy it on a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT "PLANE" OF existence.

THE ARCHETYPE--DIFFERENT THAN STEREOTYPE!!!
Archetype=A statement, or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated.Archetypes can refer to a constantly recurring symbol or motif in literature, painting or mythology. This usage of the term draws from both comparative anthropology and Jungian archetypal theory.

Stereotype=(a "belief"--the "conception"--whereas "Archetype" *IS* the "Prototype").
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One Archetype---Leaving Las Vegas---"The Hooker with the Heart of Gold"

Interesting Archetypes
http://www.myss.com/library/contracts/three_archs.asp
--Addict (Conspicuous Consumer, Glutton, Workaholic--see also Gambler)
--Advocate (Attorney, Defender, Legislator, Lobbyist, Environmentalist)
--Avenger (Avenging Angel, Savior, Messiah)
(wild guess in Star Wars????
--Child (Orphan, Wounded, Magical/Innocent, Nature, Divine, Puer/Puella Eternis, or Eternal Boy/Girl)--Child: Magical/Innocent
--Companion (Friend, Sidekick, Right Arm, Consort)---Look at just about *ALL* Seth Rogen's Movies---he is "The Companion"

Another List (not sure why it's down, but best list I've seen).
http://web.archive.org/web/20130115105138/http://listology.com/list/character-archetypes
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For example, using Joseph Campbell's Story Structure (Which Leaving Las Vegas
follows *TO THE LETTER*---several "Archetype" are used.

ONE VERY OBVIOUS (*IF* you understand this story structure) is
"The Hooker with the Heart of Gold"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooker_with_a_heart_of_gold
---The hooker with a heart of gold (also the whore with a heart of gold or the tart with a heart) is a stock character involving a courtesan or prostitute with a hidden integrity and kindness.
---ALSO you will notice her name is "Sera"--*THAT IS NOT AN ACCIDENT*
"SARAH"--of the Bible
Strengths--"Protective and Loving Person:"
Weakness--She "doubted God"--trouble beliving in others (God) to fulfill promises thus she forged her own solutions.

Early on in the movie--you'll notice she makes a point of not only saying her name but *SPELLING IT* in a tone sounding like "And don't you forget it"

Clearly that's done (for those of us who know Story Structure--she's not "Sharah"--but a broken form "SERA"
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Finally "Acting 101"
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In acting you are taught the 3-MOST BASIC aspects of creating a Character (ie. "How to Act")
--OBJECTIVE
--OBSTACLE
--OVER COMING THE OBSTACLE
(think about it--without those basic (3)--there's no story to tell.
Oh, I made it home safe today from work. (No story).
Story: I sat in traffic for 2-hours, then I Had a flat tire with no spare tire. I had to walk 3-miles to a Mechanic--thankfully, he helped put the tire back on. --There's your story.

You can say this in 100's of different ways (as Character)
What do I want?
Why Do I want it?
How do I get it?
What do I overcome to get it?
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Trust me--if you understand the "WHY!!"(person is struggling)the "HOW" (over come)--USING WHAT to overcome this.

Watching Leaving Las Vegas (and every single movie forward you will *LOVE* on an entire NEW level.