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America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality at the Movies
A comprehensive and insightful examination of the representation of diverse viewpoints and perspectives in American cinema throughout the 20th and 21st centuries
America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality at the Movies, now in its third edition, is an authoritative and lively examination of diversity issues within American cinema. Celebrated authors and academics Harry M. Benshoff and Sean Griffin provide readers with a comprehensive discussion and overview of the industrial, socio-cultural, and aesthetic factors that contribute to cinematic representations of race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability.
The book incorporates several different theoretical perspectives, including film genre, auteurism, cultural studies, Orientalism, the male gaze, feminism, and queer theory. The authors examine each selected subject via representative films, figures, and movements. Each chapter also includes an in-depth analysis of a single film to illuminate and inform its discussion of the chosen topic.
America on Film fearlessly approaches and tackles several controversial areas of representation in film, including the portrayal of both masculinity and femininity in film and African- and Asian-Americans in film. It devotes the entirety of Part V to an analysis of the depiction of sex and sexuality in American film, with a particular emphasis on the portrayal of homosexuality. Topics covered include:
The structure and history of American filmmaking, including a discussion of the evolution of the business of Hollywood cinema African Americans and American film, with a discussion of BlacKkKlansman informing its examination of broader issues Asian, Latin/x, and Native Americans on film Classical Hollywood cinema and class, with an in-depth examination of The Florida Project
Women in classical Hollywood filmmaking, including a discussion of the 1955 film, All that Heaven Allows
Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students in film, media, and diversity-related courses, the book also belongs on the shelves of anyone interested in diversity issues in the context of American studies, communications, history, or gender studies. Lastly, it's ideal for use within corporate diversity training curricula and human relations training within the entertainment industry.
America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality at the Movies, now in its third edition, is an authoritative and lively examination of diversity issues within American cinema. Celebrated authors and academics Harry M. Benshoff and Sean Griffin provide readers with a comprehensive discussion and overview of the industrial, socio-cultural, and aesthetic factors that contribute to cinematic representations of race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability.
The book incorporates several different theoretical perspectives, including film genre, auteurism, cultural studies, Orientalism, the male gaze, feminism, and queer theory. The authors examine each selected subject via representative films, figures, and movements. Each chapter also includes an in-depth analysis of a single film to illuminate and inform its discussion of the chosen topic.
America on Film fearlessly approaches and tackles several controversial areas of representation in film, including the portrayal of both masculinity and femininity in film and African- and Asian-Americans in film. It devotes the entirety of Part V to an analysis of the depiction of sex and sexuality in American film, with a particular emphasis on the portrayal of homosexuality. Topics covered include:
The structure and history of American filmmaking, including a discussion of the evolution of the business of Hollywood cinema African Americans and American film, with a discussion of BlacKkKlansman informing its examination of broader issues Asian, Latin/x, and Native Americans on film Classical Hollywood cinema and class, with an in-depth examination of The Florida Project
Women in classical Hollywood filmmaking, including a discussion of the 1955 film, All that Heaven Allows
Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students in film, media, and diversity-related courses, the book also belongs on the shelves of anyone interested in diversity issues in the context of American studies, communications, history, or gender studies. Lastly, it's ideal for use within corporate diversity training curricula and human relations training within the entertainment industry.
448 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 2, 2012
It's hard to rank this book because it's a textbook -- introductory, vocabulary-defining, that kind of thing. But as a textbook, yes! 4 or 5 stars! I liked it and will definitely consider adopting it for an intro class in film/gender studies. The format makes sense, they quite a lot of ground without stretching it too thin (it's not an all-inclusive text, even for an intro class), and they define concepts in a way that doesn't oversimplify or insult readers' intelligence. I'm curious to try it out and will report back.
Read
July 10, 2025Read (most of) for class
November 30, 2019
This book. Wow.
A 2 star rating is me being generous. 1 star for each chapter that taught me something interesting. (Side note: This book has 16+ chapters, including extra pages full of case studies) therefore.. I didn’t learn much.
Chapter 10 and 11 were the chapters that get 1 star each. Chapter 11 was the best because it discussed cinema and psychology which I found fascinating.
Otherwise, this book is straight up CRAP. I could easily tell you this book was written by a leftist, femiNAZI, Man Basher who actually is a MAN!
A man trying to push an agenda to teach young folk that conservatism is the devil. That right wingers are totally irrational and ignorant.
And sadly, the only reason I actually finished this stupid book was because it was required for my college film class.
I really hate reading a book that was supposed to focus on cinema turn fucking political. Also, it was was highly discouraging to realize the I could completely distinguish which side of the political spectrum this author fell on.
So yea, I pretty much hate this book with a fiery passion.
Anyhooski, chapter 11 is the best. In my opinion the rest of the book is garbage.
A 2 star rating is me being generous. 1 star for each chapter that taught me something interesting. (Side note: This book has 16+ chapters, including extra pages full of case studies) therefore.. I didn’t learn much.
Chapter 10 and 11 were the chapters that get 1 star each. Chapter 11 was the best because it discussed cinema and psychology which I found fascinating.
Otherwise, this book is straight up CRAP. I could easily tell you this book was written by a leftist, femiNAZI, Man Basher who actually is a MAN!
A man trying to push an agenda to teach young folk that conservatism is the devil. That right wingers are totally irrational and ignorant.
And sadly, the only reason I actually finished this stupid book was because it was required for my college film class.
I really hate reading a book that was supposed to focus on cinema turn fucking political. Also, it was was highly discouraging to realize the I could completely distinguish which side of the political spectrum this author fell on.
So yea, I pretty much hate this book with a fiery passion.
Anyhooski, chapter 11 is the best. In my opinion the rest of the book is garbage.
September 25, 2020
2/5 Stars (%33/100)
Though I used this book a lot in my film class, I did not really like it. Some chapters were total nightmare whereas some were actually interesting. I found it boring to read in general and it was also weak in its arguments. Not a terrible source but not great as well. I did not learn a great deal from this book. It was okay.
Though I used this book a lot in my film class, I did not really like it. Some chapters were total nightmare whereas some were actually interesting. I found it boring to read in general and it was also weak in its arguments. Not a terrible source but not great as well. I did not learn a great deal from this book. It was okay.
December 1, 2021
2 stars is generous. I read this book as a requirement for a film course, and I’d never recommend anyone ever read it, but it isn’t entirely devoid of useful or good information. It was awfully boring, which should be almost expected of a textbook, but still makes it an enormous chore to sludge through. Once you’re through it, you’ll find yourself mostly thinking the same way about film that you did when you started, as the perspective they have isn’t wrong, but is approached in a way that can be terribly eye-rolling, and the authors personal opinions often cloud the actualities and true importance of the facts that the book portrays. Overall, it is a lot of wordy opinions surrounded by truths that are never fully explored to their deserved extent.
April 27, 2020
Great textbook for my Multicultural Perspective In American Film class, dividing different groups and categories for the best comprehension.
Really lays out the film information well, and in detail without complicating it. I enjoyed reading about the film industry's history, without it necessarily going too in depth with content any film student would already be familiar with. The film case studies were especially helpful for analysis and criticism.
Hollywood upholds the white capitalistic patriarchal system that the United States is desperately trying to sell. The American Dream should not have symbols like John Wayne, there's always room for improvement.
Really lays out the film information well, and in detail without complicating it. I enjoyed reading about the film industry's history, without it necessarily going too in depth with content any film student would already be familiar with. The film case studies were especially helpful for analysis and criticism.
Hollywood upholds the white capitalistic patriarchal system that the United States is desperately trying to sell. The American Dream should not have symbols like John Wayne, there's always room for improvement.
November 12, 2020
11/12/20
Had to read this for a sociology and film class. For once, I actually enjoyed reading my textbook! For being published over 10 years ago, it is surprisingly progressive and brings up lots of topics that are still relevant. While there are portions that could be updated, I was pleasantly surprised by its discussion of race, gender, and sexuality!
Had to read this for a sociology and film class. For once, I actually enjoyed reading my textbook! For being published over 10 years ago, it is surprisingly progressive and brings up lots of topics that are still relevant. While there are portions that could be updated, I was pleasantly surprised by its discussion of race, gender, and sexuality!
March 6, 2024
So amazing at putting into words what representation we see and why that is. The impact that film and media have on our culture is immense and these topics should be further explored, but this is a great textbook to explain these topics.
November 27, 2024
Third Edition
This is probably the best textbook I have ever read. I learned far more about America's social history than I ever did in a history class. Very insteresting study into the relationships between film and culture.
This is probably the best textbook I have ever read. I learned far more about America's social history than I ever did in a history class. Very insteresting study into the relationships between film and culture.
April 4, 2018
Abarca
Most Chapters (if not all) explaining different concepts related to cultural studies. Amazing
Most Chapters (if not all) explaining different concepts related to cultural studies. Amazing
October 8, 2020
One of the best texts on film I've ever read! Shout-out to Professor Benshoff.
November 26, 2024
So biased. Everything wrong with a college textbook.
Read
March 21, 2025textbook
December 22, 2012
I am reading this book for my graduate class on Women and Film. So far, I am not too impressed. Although I am learning new concepts, the way it is presented is definitely for undergraduates and overly repetitive. I guess that is fitting since the class is cross-listed with an undegraduate class... The photographs are great and I particularly enjoy the case studies.
March 22, 2015
Really great as a textbook but desperately needs an update. The second edition is now 6 years old and is missing discussion of important moments and films that have happened since 2009 like Milk, The Kids are Alright and Kathryn Bigelow winning Best Director.
June 26, 2008
This is a great read for someone who is interested in the history of film when representing race, class, gender, and sexuality.
November 4, 2012
Wonderful introduction to cultural theory and the interpretation of Hollywood cinema.
December 6, 2012
Couldn't put this down.
Read every inch. Especially appreciated the reiteration of terms and concepts throughout later chapters.
Wish all academic texts were written this effectively.
Read every inch. Especially appreciated the reiteration of terms and concepts throughout later chapters.
Wish all academic texts were written this effectively.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews