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NARRATOR: carrot or stick?

Dreadylocks

Dreadylocks

What do you guys think about the use of a narrator (or VO) in films? Is it a cheesy cop-out? Or a useful tool that is overused?
Personally I've been tempted to use it as a convenient device, but for some reason feel like it would hurt the integrity of my writing. Then again, I have seen it employed well in many great films, Sandlot is the first that comes to mind.
So what do you guys(gals) think?
 
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I think blanketly saying that this or that technique NEVER works or always fails is just dumb. It depends on the movie. Any technique can be used well or used poorly. Flashbacks. Narration. Camera takes. CGI. Split screen. If it works, great. I might not like it necessarily, but that doesn't make it bad story-telling.
 
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There are now 2 topics, the 4th wall break, or the break of reality works well in comedies. But that's mainly when the actor talks and looks to the camera. Which I see it as a different thing from a narrator. There are lots of good samples where talking to the camera works, and some that doesn't. Examples: Alfie, Whatever works, Annie Hall, JCVD... each movie used the break of the 4th Wall as an instrument, either to move the plot, to create an insight view of the person, or to introduce surrealism.
I remember that this was used in James Bond "on her magesty's secret service". That was the worst thing I have ever seen.

On the narration/VO: I like films with narrators, but only when is wisely used. Usually it's better used to introduce the context, or to fill some gaps, but never to explain what's happening. Then it becomes boring.
For me narrators work great on Big Lebowski, Usual suspects, big fish, goodfellas... and many many more. Without the narrators these films would have required tons more of film, and become boring. Note than in none of those films the words explained the actions that you were going to witness.
 
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backlash said:
There are lots of good samples where talking to the camera works, and some that doesn't. Examples: Alfie, Whatever works, Annie Hall, JCVD...
Click to expand...

Woody Allen has at times done a great job of talking to the camera. He has a way of actually making you feel like he is stepping out of the scene, even if it's still going on around him. Gotta figure out how he does that...
 
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As soon as I saw this thread the first thought that came into my mind was Morgan Freeman- Shawshank Redemption. I suppose it just depends on the narrator and what they're saying (surprisingly) which is very hard to get right. Escpecially if you don't have access to Morgan Freeman.
 
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Will mentioning The Wonder Years prompts me to ask, what do you suppose the best or worst television narration is, or was? I think My Name Is Earl did a nice job with it, but there has to be something classic that is just great.

-Thanks-
 
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A classic film where it made the film is A Christmas Story! Come on now! Can't disagree with that one.
 
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Will Vincent said:
I would add Princess Bride to that list. If it's not already on the list, haven't been paying that close attention. Wait, is there a list?
Click to expand...

The list:

SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
A Christmas Story
The Wonder Years
The Right Stuff
Barry Lyndon
Goodfellas
Casino
Blade Runner
The Princess Bride
The Big Lebowski
The Usual Suspects
Big Fish
Goodfellas
Morgan Freeman

Agreed? :yes:
 
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