Narrative technique · used in 4 films
Staging the same kind of confrontation again and again with different counterparts, so each encounter reveals a new side of the protagonist.
Examples
Federico Fellini · 1957
The film keeps putting Cabiria in front of a man who promises something. Each one shows more of her hope and how easily it is used.
Where to see it: Giorgio and Oscar: Giorgio pushes her into a river to steal her purse, and Oscar later plays the perfect suitor.
Martin Scorsese · 1999
Frank has Larry on the first night, the religious Marcus on the second and the violent Tom Wolls on the third. Each one reacts differently to the work. Frank ends up between them.
Where to see it: Night three with Tom: Frank agrees to help Tom chase down Noel, then stops Tom from beating him.
Sam Mendes · 2009
Each stop shows a different kind of parent. Lily and Lowell in Phoenix are crass and mean to their kids. LN and Roderick in Madison are condescending about their parenting style, and Tom and Munch in Montreal are loving but heartbroken. Burt and Verona learn what they want by seeing what they do not.
Where to see it: The stroller visit in Madison: Burt and Verona bring a gift stroller that angers LN, and Burt tells them they are horrible people before taking their son on a wild stroller ride through the house.
Danny Boyle · 2015
Wozniak asks in the first and last acts for the Apple II team to get credit, and Jobs says no both times. Lisa, her mother and Joanna Hoffman keep turning up too. Because the questions repeat, you can see what has and has not changed in him.
Where to see it: The 1998 backstage talk. Wozniak asks again for credit for the Apple II team and Jobs refuses again. Later in the act, Jobs apologizes to his daughter Lisa.
Questions