American Film And Politics From Reagan To Bush Jr.; Editor: Davies, Philip John; Editor: Wells, Paul; Hardback; Book

Editor: Davies, Philip John; Editor: Wells, Paul
Hardback; Book; 12 B&w Illustrations
272 pages
Published: June 2002
Manchester University Press
ISBN: 0719058643

Focusing on the two decades leading to the beginning of the 21st century, this collection examines central issues in American politics and society through the films of the period. Using everything from Oliver Stone to Disney, Clint Eastwood to John Sayles, Jurassic Park to Dumb and Dumber, the international array of authors explore a number of themes. These include: the cinematic views of political institutions; of politically significant places; of the projection of major issues such as gender, family, and race; and the cultural politics of the film makers themselves in America at the start of a new century.This study covers two decades in American history, when the links between Hollywood and Washington were at their strongest, a period book-ended by the political and cinematic figures of Reagan and Clinton. During this period movies became targets of political rhetoric of family values.