A Screenwriter's Degree in a Movie

A Screenwriter’s Exploration of Roman Polanski’s A Pure Formality

Roman Polanski’s 1994 film A Pure Formality (*Una pura formalità*) stands as a masterclass in psychological tension, narrative structure, and character development. Set almost entirely within the confines of a dilapidated police station, the film delves deep into the themes of memory, guilt, and the elusiveness of truth. For screenwriters, A Pure Formality offers a wealth of lessons in how to craft a story that keeps audiences engaged and intrigued, using dialogue, setting, and character dynamics to build a narrative that is as much about what is unsaid as what is revealed.

The Plot and Premise

At its core, A Pure Formality is a psychological thriller that revolves around a mysterious and intense interrogation. The film begins with the protagonist, Onoff (played by Gérard Depardieu), a reclusive and once-famous writer, being arrested by the police on a rainy night. Disoriented and unable to recall the events leading up to his arrest, Onoff is brought to a remote police station where he is questioned by an Inspector (played by Roman Polanski regular Sergio Rubini).

As the night unfolds, the interrogation becomes increasingly tense and surreal. The Inspector probes into Onoff’s memory, trying to piece together the details of a murder that has occurred. The narrative slowly unravels as Onoff struggles to remember, leading to a shocking revelation that blurs the line between reality and illusion.

Narrative Structure: The Art of the Slow Reveal

One of the most striking aspects of A Pure Formality is its narrative structure, which relies heavily on the slow reveal. From the opening scene, the audience is thrust into a world of ambiguity and uncertainty. We know that Onoff has been arrested, but the circumstances surrounding his arrest are shrouded in mystery. Polanski uses this ambiguity to great effect, keeping the audience guessing as the story unfolds.

For screenwriters, this approach offers a valuable lesson in pacing and tension. By withholding key information and gradually revealing the truth, Polanski creates a sense of unease that permeates the entire film. The slow reveal is a powerful tool for building suspense, and when used effectively, it can keep audiences engaged from beginning to end.

In A Pure Formality, the narrative unfolds primarily through dialogue between Onoff and the Inspector. This reliance on dialogue-driven storytelling highlights the importance of crafting conversations that are not only engaging but also laden with subtext. Every word exchanged between the characters serves to deepen the mystery and push the narrative forward. For screenwriters, the film is a testament to the power of dialogue as a narrative device, showing how it can be used to reveal character, advance the plot, and create tension.

Character Development: Layers of Complexity

Onoff is a character of immense complexity, and his interactions with the Inspector serve as a psychological exploration of guilt, identity, and memory. Throughout the film, Onoff oscillates between arrogance, vulnerability, denial, and self-awareness. This layered portrayal of a character who is both victim and perpetrator, both lost and found, is a masterclass in character development.

For screenwriters, Onoff’s character arc is a prime example of how to create a protagonist who is deeply flawed yet compelling. His journey is not just about uncovering the truth of the murder but also about confronting his own inner demons. Polanski ensures that Onoff’s character is never static; he evolves as the story progresses, revealing new facets of his personality with each passing scene. This evolution is what makes him a fascinating character, one that keeps the audience invested in his story.

The dynamic between Onoff and the Inspector is another crucial element of the film. The Inspector, with his calm and methodical demeanor, serves as a foil to Onoff’s erratic behavior. This contrast between the two characters adds depth to their interactions, making the interrogation scenes not just about the exchange of information but also about the battle of wills and the clash of personalities. Screenwriters can learn from this dynamic how to create compelling character relationships that drive the narrative and enhance the thematic depth of the story.

Thematic Exploration: Memory and Guilt

At the heart of A Pure Formality are the themes of memory and guilt. The film delves into the idea that memory is not a reliable record of events but rather a construct that can be manipulated, suppressed, or distorted by the mind. Onoff’s struggle to remember what happened on the night of the murder reflects a deeper psychological conflict—a confrontation with the aspects of himself that he would rather forget.

Polanski’s exploration of these themes is both subtle and profound. The film raises questions about the nature of truth, the reliability of perception, and the ways in which guilt can shape our understanding of reality. For screenwriters, A Pure Formality offers a blueprint for how to weave complex themes into a narrative without being didactic. The film’s themes are embedded in its characters, its dialogue, and its structure, creating a story that resonates on multiple levels.

The setting of the film—a decaying, claustrophobic police station—further reinforces these themes. The oppressive atmosphere of the station mirrors Onoff’s mental state, creating a sense of entrapment and inevitability. This use of setting to reflect the psychological and thematic undercurrents of the story is a powerful technique that screenwriters can employ to enhance the mood and tone of their own work.

Subtext and Symbolism

Polanski is a master of subtext, and A Pure Formality is filled with symbolic imagery and motifs that add layers of meaning to the narrative. The rain that pours incessantly throughout the film can be seen as a symbol of cleansing or as a representation of Onoff’s muddled thoughts. The police station itself, with its crumbling walls and labyrinthine corridors, could be interpreted as a physical manifestation of Onoff’s deteriorating mind or the inescapable nature of his guilt.

For screenwriters, the use of subtext and symbolism in A Pure Formality offers valuable insights into how to infuse a screenplay with deeper meaning. These elements should not be overt or forced but rather woven into the fabric of the story, allowing the audience to discover them organically. This approach not only enriches the narrative but also invites viewers to engage with the film on a more intellectual and emotional level.

A Pure Formality is a film that demands attention and rewards careful analysis. For screenwriters, it serves as an exemplar of how to craft a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. The film’s use of dialogue-driven storytelling, its complex character development, its thematic depth, and its masterful use of subtext make it a valuable study in the art of screenwriting.

Polanski’s ability to create tension and suspense through the slow reveal, his exploration of the fallibility of memory, and his portrayal of a protagonist grappling with guilt and identity all contribute to making A Pure Formality a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. By studying this film, screenwriters can learn how to construct narratives that captivate audiences, provoke thought, and resonate on multiple levels.

In the end, A Pure Formality is more than just a psychological thriller; it is a meditation on the human condition, on the ways in which we deceive ourselves, and on the inescapable nature of truth. For screenwriters, it is a film that offers endless inspiration and insight, reminding us of the power of cinema to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche.

While not direct imitations, these films echo some of the themes, narrative techniques, and atmospheric tension that A Pure Formality masterfully employs:

1. ***Shutter Island* (2010, directed by Martin Scorsese)**:

- Shutter Island delves into themes of memory, psychological unraveling, and the elusiveness of truth, much like A Pure Formality. The protagonist’s struggle to distinguish between reality and illusion, coupled with a plot that revolves around a mysterious investigation, shows clear thematic parallels to Polanski’s work. The film's atmosphere, filled with tension and dread, echoes the claustrophobic and unsettling tone of A Pure Formality.

2. ***The Machinist* (2004, directed by Brad Anderson)**:

- This film explores the psychological torment of its protagonist, who suffers from insomnia and memory loss, leading to a gradual disintegration of his sense of reality. The fragmented narrative and the focus on the protagonist’s internal guilt and its external manifestations are reminiscent of Onoff’s journey in A Pure Formality. The film’s dark, gritty aesthetic also mirrors the oppressive atmosphere of Polanski’s police station setting.

3. ***Memento* (2000, directed by Christopher Nolan)**:

- While Memento employs a non-linear narrative structure, it similarly explores themes of memory and identity, as its protagonist struggles to piece together the events of his life after a traumatic incident. The film’s focus on the unreliability of memory and the search for truth in a distorted reality draws clear parallels to A Pure Formality.

4. ***The Others* (2001, directed by Alejandro Amenábar)**:

- The Others is a psychological horror film that, like A Pure Formality, builds tension through atmosphere and character interactions rather than overt scares. The film’s exploration of hidden truths, the slow unraveling of the narrative, and the ultimate revelation that challenges the audience’s understanding of the characters’ reality echo Polanski’s film in both tone and structure.

5. ***Identity* (2003, directed by James Mangold)**:

- Identity is a psychological thriller that plays with the concept of multiple personalities and the convergence of identities within a singular narrative framework. The film’s use of a confined setting, its focus on an investigation, and the gradual reveal of a larger truth share thematic similarities with A Pure Formality.

6. ***The Night Of* (2016, HBO miniseries created by Richard Price and Steven Zaillian)**:

- Although a television series, The Night Of shares the same intense focus on a character under interrogation in a police station, with much of the narrative exploring themes of guilt, memory, and identity. The series’ slow-paced, dialogue-driven approach and its atmospheric tension are reminiscent of the techniques employed by Polanski.

These films and series, while unique in their own right, reflect the enduring influence of A Pure Formality in their exploration of complex psychological themes, unreliable memory, and the tension of unraveling truth. They demonstrate how Polanski’s film has left an indelible mark on the psychological thriller genre, inspiring filmmakers to explore similar ideas through different narrative lenses.

Great Books on Narrative and Structure.

https://a.co/d/eMZdZrL

https://a.co/d/4Jt3uLX