Courage Under Fire is about figuring out the story of a battle in Desert Storm. It contains a series of flashbacks, some accurate, some distorted, that progressively reveal in the most surprising way what actually happened. Plots vary in shape, but there are certain types of story that we have learned to group together. Genre is the term used for classifying films that share common characteristics, such as plot, character, theme, or style. We bring expectations to the theater, including the expectation that the new movie will surprise us with its variations on old themes.
Characters are also a combination of the conventional and the unique.
When you talk about characters, you may want to consider how they fulfill or differ from conventional roles. You will also want to discuss the depth and complexity of the portrait, your sympathy or antipathy for the character, and your understanding of his or her conflicts, motives, or decisions. These include the sets and settings, the costumes, the lighting, the acting style, objects, or anything else taken in by the camera. Your job as a critical viewer is to deconstruct that illusion by understanding how all of its parts work together to create a deliberate effect or meaning for the viewer. As you learn to be a critical viewer, these are the most important aspects of the film to see and reflect on.