Daydream Sequences in Hollywood Cinema since 1947

Book excerpt: Daydream sequences provide viewers with important information regarding the desires, hopes, fears and psychological state of film protagonists. How, then, do cinematic daydreams stand with regard to classical Hollywood cinema? What do volitional fantasy sequences typically infer about the conscious mind? What do non-volitional cinematic daydreams commonly imply about the workings of the unconscious psyche and human will? Do filmed fantasies–intentionally or otherwise–reinforce cultural hegemony? Is daydreaming typically depicted as a detrimental or beneficial pastime in mainstream US cinema? Through investigating a corpus of Hollywood films containing fantasy scenes, this text answers these questions. This study uncovers the norms and key functions that daydreams serve in contemporary Hollywood films from cinematic, thematic, psychological and ideological perspectives. Whilst this text is aimed primarily at students and academics of film studies, it should also appeal to anyone with an interest in Hollywood cinema and/or daydreaming.