From Peter Pan to Hannibal Lecter : The various faces of masculinity in popular cinema.

The object of this enquiry is to investigate how mass appeal within a popular media is possible given the cultural diversity of modem society. My hypothesis is that as well as differences between ethnographic groups there is probably similarities. As patriarchy is an aspect of our culture that crosses class, racial and religious boundaries I intend to investigate the possibility that patriarchy can provide a common understanding of pleasure that can temporarily exscribe other potentially divisive issues. Therefore I will examine how a particular mass media form addresses a masculine subject position.The investigation will take the form of a textual analysis of six films that have already achieved U.K box-office success. Film has been selected because it requires a relatively large commitment on the part of the audiences, i.e. travelling to a cinema and paying an entrance fee which could concievably militate against mass appeal. Also most producers of popular film are engaged in a capitalist enterprise, the circumstances of which require the attraction of a mass audience. I have selected the three top grossing U.K box office hits of two consecutive years to ensure that I am examining those films that have proved to be popular rather than films I assume are aimed at a popular audience; to allow for a variety of films to be popular in any one year and to allow for year to year differences in the kind of films that achieve popularity. I am presenting a textual analysis because I am testing whether there is a common element in those films that have proven to be popular that addresses the needs of a masculine subject position. The work will be presented in five sections or chapters beginning with an elaboration of the theoretical basis of the hypothesis. The textual analysis will be divided into three sections; genre, stars and narrative as these three elements have been identified as reasons why individuals choose to visit the cinema. The final section will be the conclusion.From this research I aim to contribute to our understanding in three areas. Firstly our understanding of current hegemonic masculinity. Secondly I aim to gain a greater understanding of the concept of pleasure from an examination of how the medium of film is enjoyed. Finally I aim to extend our understanding of how mass appeal is possible in a diverse culture.