DEAN COSTELLOE

'Mud Boy' is structured in such a way that it tells us the narrative of the film without going into too much detail. When looking at the structure, it is important to note how the movie begins, progressing into the main story and then finally concluding. For example, straight away, the establishing shot of the garden and the kids' shovel sets the scene of a working class, suburban family as we can see by the house and the garden. The non-diegetic sounds of arguing can be heard, which instantly informs us of a problem in the film that will be uncovered. This instantly introduces us to three key characters in the movie, which is the aggressive father, slightly vulnerable mother, and finally the little girl. This means that the audience are currently guessing what the problem of the movie may be, such as why this argument is commencing. This ultimately sets up the first part of the three part structure. 

 

The second part of the structure is essentially everything that messes up the equilibrium in which the start of the movie has created. This ensures that the story has many different ways in which the audience stay guessing. To further explain, the second part of the structure has many different things happening that all contribute towards the resolution, which is the third part. For example, in this movie, the events such as her uncovering her brother at the back of the garden and talking to him all lead up to the final ending.

 

The final part of the film, the resolution, shows a police officer turning up to the house and talking to the little girl. From this, we can deduce that an offence has been committed and are still wondering what it is, although it leaves the audience open and guessing as to what the offence is and why the police are there. However at the end of the movie in the final part, it is uncovered that the aggressive father is being taken away, which essentially answers all the questions the audience may have had throughout the film.