Ricoeur’s Textual Model in Film: The Case of the Irrational Man

Despite widespread interest in film philosophy, there is little research on film hermeneutics and into the effectiveness of a methodological approach to film as philosophy. In Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutics, the practice of interpretation entails a constant oscillation between explanation and understanding. Following this path, Ricoeurian textual model can be a valuable resource for film studies by inviting film scholars to consider film interpretation in terms of hermeneutics of the film world. In this essay, I will attempt to explore the potential implications of Ricoeur’s textual model in order to apply it to film. Such a Ricoeurian film hermeneutics is primarily focused on the filmgoer’s interpretive process rather than on the author’s creative one. The proposed film hermeneutic method becomes the proper means through which film philosophical thinking can be expressed and interpreted. In order to show this film hermeneutics practically, Allen’s Irrational Man will be used as an example of a film world and philosophical expression.