What Story Elements Should a Movie Play Around With?

My wife and I watched A Field in England for the first time, and we're still unpacking it. We probably always will be. I'm just not sure what we watched. I can't say I enjoyed or even disliked this movie. It definitely made me intrigued. What it ultimately fronted me with is the question that's the title of this post: What story elements should a movie play around with? This question is an attempt to determine what elements of a story an artist can (should?) play around with. I'm not a reader or viewer who doesn't appreciate having my story elements upturned. I'm okay with irony, sarcasm, and simple settings. I'm okay with dialogue-driven movies. I'm even okay with returning to black and white. What am I not okay with leaving out of a movie? A Field in England, more than anything, fronted me with this question. Here's a list:

Movement. I need to know the story is moving forward. If it takes a faster pace to accomplish this, so be it. 

A main character I love. I need someone I admire. I love a character I feel like I'm learning something from.

A great line that invites reflection. There has to be at least one great line that I cannot help but reflect on throughout the movie.  

I guess I should thank this movie for helping me pinpoint what I need in a movie. I'm not saying it was a bad movie; I'm not saying it was a movie others should watch. It's certainly a great horror movie, as far as all that goes. 

 

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