How the Movies of the 1970’s and 1980’s Reflected America’s Mood and Culture

1565 Words4 Pages

Have you ever had one of those days that were so bad that you desperately needed a night at the ice cream or candy store? The 1970’s was that really bad day, while the night of self- indulgence was the 1980’s. Americans love to escape from our daily stress, and of all the products that allow us to do so, none is more popular than the movies. Movies are key cultural artifacts that offer a view of American culture and social history. They not only offer a snapshot of hair styles and fashions of the times but they also provide a host of insights into Americans’ ever-changing ideals. Like any cultural artifact, the movies can be approached in a number of ways. Cultural historians have treated movies as a document that records the look and mood of the time that promotes a particular political or moral value or highlights individual or social anxieties and tensions. These cultural documents present a particular image of gender, ethnicity, romance, and violence. Out of the political and economic unrest of the 1970’s that saw the mood and esteem of the country, as reflected in the artistry and messages in the movies, sink to a new low, came a new sense of pride in who we are, not seen since the post-World War II economic boom of the 1950’s. Of this need to change, Oscar Award winner Paul Newman stated, “There is this acceleration of change, and we’re much more affected by that. People want to be entertained. They don’t want to be bombarded by emotions or questions. I hope it gets better. I don’t know whether it will or not.” During the mid and late 1970’s, the mood of American films shifted sharply. People needed to get away from such negative memories as the Vietnam War, long gas lines, the resignation of President Nixon, and ... ... middle of paper ... ...he ground troops or “grunts” who actually fought the war, and their struggle to survive in this very ugly war. Top Gun starring Tom Cruise was also released in 1986. This patriotic display of our best fighter pilots once again winning supersonic air battles against “bad” foreign powers was incredibly important because it showed that the mood of the American people had changed and that they were ready to accept the United States military back into their hearts. As the decade moved along Hollywood continued to build upon these “pick me up” movies with hits like “Back to the Future”, “Three Men and a Baby”, and “Driving Miss Daisy”. As the decade came to a close, the top grossing movie of 1989 brought back a different kind of American hero – Batman. Clearly, that really bad day called the 1970’s had been replaced by a night at the candy store called the 1980’s.

Open Document