Out of order stories
Out of order stories
I will be so glad when the flashback/flash forward/flashback fad of storytelling is over. Trying to watch “Manhunt”, and they can’t even be bothered to show the moments leading up to Lincoln’s assassination in order. It reeks of “the writing is weak — what can we do in the editing to spice things up?!”
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The value of nonlinear storytelling is not plot advancement but character development. It can help the audience understand why characters are choosing to behave they way they are.
This does not mean that the “writing is weak” as plot is only a small part of writing. Character motivations and relationships are key components which raise the stakes for the audience to actually care about the events and characters.
I’d argue in a story where the end is known (there are no surprises in Manhunt) this is even more important.