It is the news that a particular kind of movie mogul has been dreading: sex no longer sells. Films containing explicit sex or nudity are earning less on average than more wholesome movies.
The article goes on to point out a number of aspects to the statistics that indicate the study has significant control flaws. Still, it's an interesting -- and encouraging -- theory.
Americans were more likely to enjoy films with a religious or moral content because Christian belief remained much more entrenched in the US than in countries such as Australia and Britain.
While the US is generally less accepting of non-Christian religions, I'm not sure that's the same thing as saying that Christian belief is more entrenched, particularly given the drop-off in church attendance in the more traditional denominations. Certainly, the South and the various Baptist branches are enthusiastic bible-thumpers, but representative of the country as a whole? I'm unconvinced.
"We've certainly seen that with the box office success of The Passion of the Christ in America, which is unlikely to be repeated [in Britain]," [film critic and columnist Will Self] said. "We are a secular country, thank God."
Now THAT is a truly interesting statement, coming from a citizen of Britain -- where the Queen is still the head of the state-sanctioned church. I'd love to discuss it with the columnist in more detail...
The rise in popularity of films that are moral in tone looks set to continue after the success of The Passion. Even though the dialogue is in Latin and Aramaic, it has grossed almost $US400 million since its release last month.
Which is mind-boggling, given the American public's normal reaction to non-English language films. Releasing a film with subtitles is normally the kiss of death, resulting in instant relegation solely to art house screens.
Broadcaster and critic Sheridan Morley believes audiences have been tiring of action thrillers. "I am surprised by these findings because they go against all the wisdom of recent Hollywood," he said. "It just shows, once again, how out of touch Hollywood is with what the audience wants.
"Films have been totally mechandised in recent years and are no longer about people. Now we've got so high-tech that we've lost the sense of real human relationships. Cinema needs to get back to people."
Amen, brother.
Posted at April 14, 2004 02:05 PM in Social Order