Generation - Book Report/Review Example

Summary Information SUMMARY Some films leave us with fond memories because of certain aspects, the most important aspect being their sound tracks. The songs of movies like The Graduate, Easy Rider, American Graffiti, The Big Chill and Dirty Dancing give nostalgia to the listeners. These movies came out in the 1970s and 1980s and their music connected automatically, especially with the young generation. The music in The Graduate was important to the viewer because they struck with using popular music.

On the contrary Easy Rider used its music as a weapon to arouse generational animosity and conflict. American Graffiti is considered as the trendsetter among nostalgic songs and movies. The soundtracks from this film were important because even though the target audience were youngsters and it was impossible they would have heard the music, it still rung a bell. It caused impact because the viewer created a fictional nostalgia. The music from The Big Chill mainly depicted the sixties and it encompasses the feelings of a community.

Dirty Dancing consisted of songs that had a sense of liberty to them. The movie wasn’t a romantic film and hence a happily ever after ending wasn’t present. This contraindication created nostalgia among viewers (Shumway, 1999). REFLECTION Nostalgia or memories are depictions of our emotions. Films and their soundtracks have the capacity to hold on to us. Films like The Graduate, Easy Rider, American Graffiti, The Big Chill and Dirty Dancing have songs that target the youth and give them a sense of freedom from their responsibilities.

It is important to understand that nostalgia is not always retrogressive it is also dynamic and escalating. References Shumway, D. R. (1999). Rocknroll Sound Tracks and the Production of Nostalgia. Cinema Journal, 36-51.