Director
Tim Burton
Leading Actors/Actresses
Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson
Supporting Actors/Actresses
Kim Basinger
Genre
Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Language
English
Awards
Academy Award : Best Art Direction. Golden Globe - Best Actor in Comedy or Musical (Jack NIcholson) BAFTA Best Supporting Actor - Jack Nicholson
Date of Release
1990
Producer
Jon Peters, Peter Guber
Setting and Context
Gotham City, present day
Narrator and Point of View
The events occur from the perspective of Batman and the side of the good citizens of Gotham
Tone and Mood
Foreboding and dark at the start, and hopeful after the threat of the Joker's activities has been neutralized
Protagonist and Antagonist
Batman (Bruce Wayne) is the protagonist, The Joker (Napier) is the antagonist
Major Conflict
The entire movie is based on the conflict between Batman and the Joker but the broader conflict is between the good people of Gotham and the criminal elements trying to over-run it
Climax
The Joker falls to his death after a struggle with Batman atop the cathedral bell tower
Foreshadowing
The mugging of the tourists at the opening of the movie foreshadows the new threat of crime in Gotham City and the appearance of Batman foreshadows the force of good that the baddies will have to battle from their perspective
Understatement
The Joker is deemed crazy but this is an understatement because he is absolutely and diabolically unhinged
Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques
The main innovations were in make up and the techniques of lighting allowed the fluorescent make up on Jack Nicholson to make him appear more deranged and terrifying. The lighting also had a comic book look to it with the usage of black and white lighting for the times when the city was threatened and the bright colors when things were looking more positive.
Allusions
No major allusions in the movie
Paradox
The Joker wants to blend in in order to commit his crimes but the paradox occurs when his crimes become even more diabolical following the wild change in his appearance that make it impossible for him to blend in with normal life
Parallelism
There is a parallel between the main characters who both have a double life and an alternate identity that they strive to keep secret. Batman is really Bruce Wayne. The Joker is really Jack Napier. They both use costume and nicknames to disguise their identities
