My Heuristic of Movie Analysis

The tool I commonly use to evaluate movies is seemingly paradoxical: the movie must be at once realistic and unrealistic. The best movies are realistic in character, but unrealistic in plot. If we get a true to life character, we identify with them and the evocation of emotion, which movies are better at than any other medium, begins. If we get a true to life plot, though, we quickly get bored. Put realistic characters (Rick and Elsa) in unrealistic / unusual situations (Nazi resistance in Northern Africa) and the magic begins.