The year 1975 turned out to be a game-changer for Hollywood movies. Not only America but the entire world saw a whole new shift in the various types of genres that Hollywood started producing post-Watergate distrust and the economic issues. Directed by Morgan Neville, the documentary utilizes films such as Dog Day Afternoon, Chinatown, and Nashville, among others, to illustrate and understand how the gradual change occurred. We can see a range of crafts emerging, which was an indirect way for society to question the authorities' actions. This happens by way of the dialogs, which serve the notion of what the plot wishes to convey. Throughout the documentary, these movies and shows are taken as sort of case studies to explain to the audience what kind of change and questioning the makers of the movies wanted to offer to the world at large as well. However, while Morgan Neville wished to restrict us to the year 1975, he did make it his “thesis” to go a little beyond 1975, as the effect didn’t just stick to one particular year. This kind of storytelling gradually became a trend, which led to its expansion beyond the 1975 timeline. For those of you who grew up in the 70s or had a taste for watching movies from that era, this documentary serves as a pillar in taking you down memory lane. It will throw you in the line of nostalgia as the world and America in particular grappled with political scandals and economic issues.
This documentary also makes us realize the power of cinema and how it becomes a key pointer in questioning those in power. Cinema is nothing but a mirror of the society that represents us. And this became loud and clear during the 70s period. And by that we don’t mean only serious movies reveal the truth, rather it is also the genre of comedy and others that convey what they wish to.
For students who study cinema, this is a really good case study in the form of a documentary. You will get to watch and learn so much about movies and TV shows as a medium of conveying thoughts and opinions. With the help of interviews, certain clippings from TV shows and movies, we are shown quite a lot to give us a clear understanding of what happened in 1975. This also helps us to deepen our understanding of the world.
From my understanding, based on what the documentary conveys, compared to the present era of social media and awareness, the year 1975 and the couple of years after that have to be by far one of the most influential eras in the history of cinema. The kind of movies produced is opening and engaging the audience's opinions very sharply and bluntly. Hence, for all those who have always been in love with movies, this is a documentary that takes us back in time, led by Morgan Neville, to show us what the movies of 1975 meant.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times