A film critic's main purpose is to provide an informed and critical analysis of a film's artistic qualities, such as its cinematography, storytelling, acting, and overall impact.

While a film critic may briefly summarize the film's plot to provide context, the main focus of film criticism is on analyzing and evaluating the film's artistic merits, not simply retelling the story.

Considering a film's context is crucial because it provides a deeper understanding of the film's artistic merits by examining its historical, cultural, and artistic influences, as well as the filmmaker's intentions and inspirations.

While audience reception can be a factor in evaluating a film's success, it is not typically considered a primary approach to film criticism, which focuses on analyzing the film's artistic merits rather than its popularity.

Cinematography plays a vital role in a film's artistic merit by contributing to its visual aesthetics, conveying mood and atmosphere, and enhancing the storytelling and character development.

Editing is a crucial aspect of film criticism as it contributes to the film's overall impact and artistic value by creating a cohesive narrative, emphasizing key elements, and establishing a specific rhythm and pacing.

Sound design and music play a significant role in a film's artistic merits by contributing to its atmosphere, emotional impact, storytelling, character development, and overall cinematic experience.

Acting is a crucial element in evaluating a film's artistic value and critical reception as it brings characters to life, adds depth and nuance, and effectively conveys emotions and motivations, enhancing the overall storytelling and cinematic experience.

Considering a film's cultural and historical context is essential for a comprehensive analysis of its artistic merits as it provides insights into its themes, messages, relevance, and impact on society, as well as allowing comparisons to other works of the same period.

A film's directorial vision is a key factor in evaluating its artistic merit and critical acclaim as it encompasses the director's unique style, interpretation of the script, and collaboration with other crew members, all of which contribute to the film's overall aesthetics, storytelling, and cinematic impact.

Film festivals play a crucial role in promoting and evaluating artistic merit in cinema by providing a platform for diverse films, fostering networking and collaboration, and offering awards and recognition that can significantly impact a film's visibility and critical reception.

A film's screenplay is a vital element in evaluating its artistic value and overall impact as it provides the foundation for the narrative, characters, dialogue, structure, and pacing, all of which contribute to the film's storytelling, emotional resonance, and cinematic experience.

Production design plays a significant role in a film's artistic merit by contributing to its visual aesthetics, creating an immersive setting, and supporting the film's themes and messages, all of which enhance the overall cinematic experience.

Costume design is an important element in evaluating a film's artistic value and critical reception as it visually represents characters, enhances historical or cultural context, and contributes to the film's overall visual aesthetics and mood, all of which impact the storytelling and cinematic experience.

Film criticism plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing cultural discourse by providing insights and perspectives that enhance audience understanding and appreciation, influencing box office performance, and contributing to the preservation and appreciation of cinematic heritage.