An analysis of the cinematic techniques that are used in the portrayal of the 'outsider' in films. Why are such films popular and what do they tell us about society as a whole? GCSE A grade.

We looked at three films from the 1980's and 1990's - 'The Elephant Man', 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'Rain Man'. An outsider is someone who has been rejected by society. They are treated differently, usually worse, than 'normal' person either because they look or act differently. I think John Merrick, Edward and Raymond make good protagonists because you empathise with them. You start to feel how someone who is made fun of feels and because they …

…top floor of an isolation ward. We see his wishes to be normal, but never being accepted by society as an ordinary human. We see how he is treated and it makes you feel sorry for him and makes you not want to treat anyone else that badly. As it is a true story it has a bigger effect and the impact it has on you makes you remember the film for a long time.