Projecting the End of the American Dream: Hollywood's Visions of U.S. Decline

ISBN-13: 9780313385636 / Angielski / Twarda / 2013 / 296 str.

Gordon B. Arnold

Opis

Long before the war in Iraq and the economic crises of the early 21st century, Hollywood has depicted a grim view of life in the United States, one that belies the prosperity and abundance of the so-called American Dream. While the country emerged from World War II as a world power, collectively our sense of security had been threatened. The result is a cinematic body of work that has America's decline and ruin as a central theme. The author draws from popular films across all genres and six decades to illustrate how the political climate of the times influenced their creation.

"Projecting the End of the American Dream: Hollywood's Visions of U.S. Decline" combines film history, social history, and political history to reveal important themes in the unfolding American narrative. Discussions focus on a wide variety of films, including "Rambo," "Planet of the Apes," and "Easy Rider."