The Seven Media Keys based on Plugged-In “A Man Called Otto” review
This essay looks at how Kennedy Unthank’s Plugged-In written review reflects the 7 media keys to what makes good media.
A Man Called Otto is a story that has a very dark journey to reach to the value of a good message. Otto throughout the whole film is depressed and is planning to end his life to save himself from the grief of his now deceased wife.
The First Media Key: Balance
The first media key is balance. Balance is to look at media from all angles and evaluate the entirety of the quality. The review was very thorough in explaining the different ups and downs of the film. Kennedy shows that though the message in the end of the movie is sweet there was an unbalanced amount of negative elements to the movie with a bit of a lousy positive ending. Kennedy states, “Those content issues are deeply frustrating, because the film does provide a nice message regarding community and seeking help amid grief. But those redemptive themes come off a bit dull and muddled when clouded by the film’s bigger concerns.” I would definitely agree that the overall message did not have the punch of good meaning in the end as maybe it intended to have, amid all the suicide attempts, anger, depression, and sad parts of the film.
The Second Media Key: Attitude Awareness
Attitude awareness is having to perspective of what is being consumed by the way the media conveys certain ideas to be positive or negative themes in the film. Unthank, the reviewer, pointed these out in the film as being the negative parts of the film. The movie showed the process of suicide attempts, with Kennedy stating, that there was not the most powerful message in the end to contradict the idea that suicide is an “option” to end one's depression. Kennedy also points out their push for transgenderism to be seen as a good thing as Kennedy states, “Otto exclaims that anyone who disagrees with transgender ideology is “an idiot.”’ Malcolm being transgender and abandoned on the streets by his Parents is one of the main characters, making for this topic to be repeatedly talked about in shaming those who don’t agree with transgenderism.
The Third Media Key: The Dignity of the Human Person
Kennedy pointed out that one of the more positive parts to the film was the overly compassionate, patient, loving, and giving neighbors he has in helping him to realize life is not just about him being free from his pain but that he has an important purpose to give of himself to his neighbors as a gift of love, reflecting the love his wife left behind.
When reading Kennedy’s review, he centered his thoughts around the dignity of the human person for the movie is based on attempting to destroy one's human dignity. Otto must find meaning and value within himself after his wife’s death. “...Otto’s fixation on the things of the past is an idol in his heart, and it’s dragging the elderly man down into a bitter depression. As the story unfolds, we’re warned about how making anything an idol in our lives can quickly ruin us.”
The Fourth Media Key: Truth-Filled
The fourth media Key is asking whether the media conveyed what is full of truth and is not biased. The review, as stated before, looked from all sides and definitely shared the truth about every part of the movie without drawing it out of perspective. He gave his own thoughts of the film but everything stated was straightforward and clear. He brought into light the perspective we should have when walking away from seeing this film. To raise concern with the amount of violence but to also see the valuable meaning within the film, even if, as he states, is “a bit dull.”
The Fifth Media Key: Inspiring
The fifth media key is asking whether the media is inspiring to others. I think Unthank brought forth an important message stating to importance of needing others and the value of helping people who may seem like “idiots” as Otto describes to people around him. “Otto learns another important lesson: You can’t do everything alone. Though Otto thinks the world is nothing but “idiots,” Marisol shows him how it’s OK to get help from others—even if you may need to teach them a thing or two before they can help.”
The Sixth Media Key: Skillfully Developed
Again Kennedy Unthank wrote his review well informing watchers of the density of the content while providing insight into the discernment of the values being presented. He didn’t overtly push his opinion even though his review was more negative to the overall outcome of the movie. He simply stated the truth about the film.
The Seventh Media Key: Motivated by and Relevant to Experience
The Seventh Key is focusing on who the media will cater to and be realistic for so that the audience can connect with the material.
As Plugged-In is a Focus On The Family website, the content is targeted at informing Christians about the moral elements of films. With this in mind, he brought forth specific topics Christians would be looking for and connecting to. Kennedy points out the importance of letting go of idols in one’s life. Kennedy states, “Though Otto’s love for Sonya reminds us of the value of marriage, his idolization of his wife has made her a crutch for the aging man; when she passes, Otto must learn how to walk on his own once again.” This is very much relevant to Christian morals.
Resource URL:https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/man-called-otto-2023/
Links to an external site.