Why does Hollywood think that excessive violence and profanity make for a good movie?

Question

In last year's "The Departed", there was a lot of profanity and also some very graphic violence. What I'd like to know is, why does Hollywood these days think that excessive violence and excessive profanity make for a good film?

Answer 1

They are aiming for realism. It probably reflects the American society as a whole. Probably they are more open - minded too. But surprisingly their news channels dont show mutilated bodies like ours do.

Answer 2

It is because the average age of movie goers in America is about 15 years old. Hollywood is a business like any other, they cater to the needs of their customers. Most 15 year olds would/could/ not sit still long enough for a movie that requires thought and attention. Hence violence and profanity. You may also note, that most actors, producers, and directors aren't that smart either.

Answer 3

If violence and profanity are an integral part of the story ok I mean in the story of my life profanity would have to be there or the story wouldn't be acurrate but it does seem that they use it to excess but lets face it in a story like the departed a man willing to shoot you in the face aint likely to shy away from the F word or any other but if harry potter said get your phuquen asz on the floor I would be shocked it's all relative

Answer 4

Americans have this thing about violence and profanity being OK but nudity in any form is horrendous but in Europe its quite different the body there is just a body its natural and nothing to freak out about so mild nudity is very common in movies and on TV and no one minds and for the most part no one is immature about it but also in Europe the don't favor violence or profanity like Americans don't with nudity

Answer 5

They ruin perfectly good films with profanity. Some stories are made from violent material. I wish there was a number to call and let them know we don't like the profanity and violence.

Answer 6

Lack of imagination.
Don't forget The Departed is a remake of a Japanese film.
It's good to see some good films coming out - Notes On A Scandal, Babel, Syriana, The Last King Of Scotland, Munich, but I agree that in the main it's all big budget explosion and violence movies that they churn out.
That may explain why box-office receipts are down.

Answer 7

Whats "Hollyweird"? a sparkling movie market??? I in trouble-free terms understand Hollywood and afaik, Hollywood has never produced a movie about patriotism and/or without violence, profanity,or sex. Hollywood is Hollywood afterall. no longer Bollywood !

Answer 8

Hollywood cannot come up with anything of value except profanity and violence because that is the audience they want .

Answer 9

Hey really nice question. We have to look at this question in bigger view not only money they make but we have to look at their culture and surroundings they live in. American culture and history is bloody starting from killing of red indians and then war with England for freedom, Ist world war, 2nd WW, Vietnam war, coldwar,Iraq, lebanon. So they are used to wars used to see bloody images shown by cnn and BBC so what we feel as excessive violence is not excessive at all for them.

Then there is one more reason American law allows people to carry weapon without license so handling a gun is very common that also leads youth in violent and bloody mind set so they do not like emotional and touching stories as we like here in India. So as movies which are violent get hit and get our attention but I should say there are lot movies in Hollywood which are excellent and without violence

Answer 10

Demographics. Teenage kids watch more movies than adults. Hollywood execs know that kids love violence, by looking at the video games they play.

Answer 11

They think this because those are the films people go to see. Hollywood follows the money.