Elements of content
- brief description of (parts of) the plot; unless the author assumes that the audience is familiar with it already
- discussion of the choices the director made. E.g: casting of the actors; Baz Luhrmann's choice of music. "Mixing in a little Jay-Z amid Jazz Age standards strangely makes sense." Comment on subdued ending being not heartwrenching.
- acting: "Maguire always does a fine job when required to look cute and confused".
- discussion of visuals, design
- comparison with director's previous work
Depending on both the reviewer and the film being reviewed, the emphasis on these elements may differ.
Style
- adjectives that express opinion (negative or positive): "a glib and shallow film", "expensive, obsessive, shiny and hollow", "energetic", "weepy", "bombastic"
