ABSTRACT
To some extent, the conception of a film produced within the Americandominated commercial cinema does not realise the full potential of cinema. The Hollywood film is a self-sufficient fiction of about two hours’ length, which resolves the enigma presented in its narrative image. It aims to be universally intelligible; it trades upon its newness;it is produced by professionals. Equally, this conception of a film brings with it expectations of a particular level of expenditure on the image, or rather the visual and aural indications of such an expenditure. The Hollywood film uses the cinematic image to provide a level of visual pleasure that cannot be found on the smaller screen and more cursory image of broadcast TV. However, it does not use the public nature of the cinematic event to any great degree; it gathers together an audience who remain anonymous to each other, sharing moments of pleasure, or annoying each other with cigarette smoke and weak jokes at the film’s expense.
