Dark Knight Satisfies Basic Instincts of the Short Story

Rating: 8/10 (27 July 2008)

There are seven basic ingredients to a short story. To illustrate, let's examine The Dark Knight, Ridley Scott's dark vision / interpretation of the Batman story, now showing in theaters everywhere. THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.
First, there is Setting This story takes place in the big city of Gotham, Bruce Wayne's hometown. Itis the center of their world, as in real life Gotham believes itself the center of our world. I have heard it compared to Babylon more than once in my life, and some there are who would say rightfully so. It's police and its history were famously corrupt, though in the past ten years crime and corruption has been significantly reduced in the real Gotham, even without a Batman. Maybe with all that new eye-in-the-sky technology we don't need superheroes any more?
Second, there are the Characters. Can you believe the names in this film? Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman and an especially disturbing Heath Ledger lead an all star cast. But these are not characters. These are the actors who play our story's characters. Batman is, of course, the hero. His nemesis: The Joker.
Third, we have the Problem or Goal Drawing from mythology, the hero's quest is what gives the story its impetus. What does he want? What are his motivations? Batman exists to fight crime, but he also wants to give it up, to quit. In this film, he longs to hang up his cape and spurs, uhnm, mask... and settle into a quiet life with is one true love played by Maggie G.
Fourth, there are the Complications The complications are what create the tension. The hero has a goal, and the screenwriter puts in his way every conceivable barrier that be can be dreamed up while still being believable. Believable is the operative word here. Even within a fictional construct, the rules of the game are established. The audience will be happily suspend disbelief if the story remains faithful to its own rules.
In The Dark Knight, the primary complication is The Joker, who's goal is to destroy all notions of order and decency, first by creating fear and chaos, and second, by corrupting the uncorrupted hero of Gotham Harvey Dent, who is striving to clean up crime and wipe out evil... The Joker's own motivation or quest is the corrupt this paragon of virtue, thus dispelling hope or confidence in the moral order of right and wrong.
Fifth, there is the Turning Point Alas, there must be a dark moment when it appears all is lost. In this film, sadly, Harvey Dent himself becomes a comic book villain: Two Face. Clever story line here, flows logically out of the fluid and flames that make for good comic book drama. There is philosophy here, too. Are moral actions merely the result of a chance act like the flip of a coin. Or is there truly a virtuous act? The Joker simultaneously puts his theory to the test with two boatloads of people out on the river. Is self-preservation the final value, or is there another set of values that excels beyond looking out for number one?
Sixth, the Climax. The last and most dramatic scene of the story. There are two here, because there are two bad guys now. The irony is abundant as Bruce Wayne/Batman persuades his right hand man Lucius Fox to violate his own code of ethics in order to reach an ethical conclusion. In short, for the powers of right to ultimately win, ethical considerations must be temporarily set aside. Is this the rationale for torture and other ethical violations in today's real world drama regarding terrorism?
The Joker must be brought to justice, and to save more innocent lives from being taken, Batman must rid the world of Two Face as well. It is all so dramatic... if at this point you are identifying with there characters as real people. Alas, it's a Hollywood blockbuster budget extravaganza, and gosh, at this point I am just watching and waiting. The good guy has to win, right?
Seventh, and finally, Resolution The denouement comes quick. It is a tidy little knot tying all the loose ends. And so it is, with dramatic music pulsing through the veins of the dark theater, we have just experienced The Dark Knight.
As for the overall effect: Well done... The sets, the mood, the whole feel here was a phenomenal achievement. No indie filmmaker can ever compete with Hollywood in that department.
There was some originality and entertaining interpretation in the bat cave as well as the ultramodernized gizmos etc. Mr. Wayne had access to.
A few very minor criticisms not worth mentioning. I have rated this film an 8 because I'm not sure if this is my kind of movie any more. I get more engaged in films like The Kite Runner. I haven't figured out, in other words, whether there was a problem with the film (I saw it last night) or just the viewer's tastes have changed.
Nevertheless, this film has all the elements. The unexpected death of Heath Ledger, post-production, will sell a few additional seats as well. It's a role that just might give a few people the creeps.