A major theme in many movies is a feeling of sympathy for the main character. Finally, one can not discuss Alfred Hitchcock's recurring themes without mentioning his numerous cameos in his movies. Hitchcock's narrative style also normally has a theme. It usually adheres to a constant ascending/descending, uphill/downhill motif, which is, of course, suitably lifelike. Hitchcock was not afraid at all to experiment. In fact, his first films were silent, and while he was making another silent film he discovered that sound was being introduced. He quickly re-shot many shots to add sound. Stylistically, Rear Window was one of Hitchcock's famous experiments. Almost the entire movie is shot in the main character's apartment and out of his apartment window. In North by Northwest as with many of his others including Vertigo and Rear Window, Hitchcock sets up his hero as being the only one who knows the truth. This again creates audience sympathy for this character. Also very Hitchcockian is that the main character becomes the detective. Stylistically, the audience stays with the main character, only knowing as much as he does. .
After watching Fellini's films La Dolce Vita, 8-1/2, Juliet of the Spirits, La Strada, and City of Women certain characteristics are noticeable. In all of these films, imagery was very important, which he is probably most noted for. However, a recurring set of character archetypes was also apparent. These archetypes are the sex object, the wife, and the typical man. .
The Sex object is first found in 8-1/2. The young boy and his friends encounter the prostitute. With this encounter, we see that a mixed batch of emotions including: delight, cruelty, wonder, fright, and guilt. The whore's sexuality and the boy's responses to it are shown with crosscuts between her suggestive motions and their shock and ultimate joy. When she invites the boy to come closer, he has mixed feelings, but is ultimately pressured by his friends.
