New Hollywood and New Australian directors have been influenced by both the classic Hollywood film and
... There are many different types of film, from action to romance to thriller, yet these too can fit into other narrative structures, these structures are defined by certain features. A classic Hollywood film can be defined by linear construction, realistic depiction of life and a protagonist who is easily identifiable. An Art Film, which can be quite obscure, can be defined by movement through time and space, no evidence of a direct cause and effect, and the existence of characters who are generally a typical of Hollywood stereotypes. Classic and Art can be seen as being from separate ends of the film spectrum, yet between these structures we find several different constructions. These constructions sometimes use elements of both Classic and Art, conversely they can create their own as well as using classic or art structures. A narrative style that has emerged by employing these methods of classic and art styles is called new Australian. One such film, that uses elements of both genres and that clearly has a New Australian narrative structure, is Lantana. Classic structure elements found in Ray Lawrence’s Lantana are a clearly discernable story, unity of cinematic style and a realistic depiction of life. However, there is also a very delayed exposition, an open ending and stereotypical Hollywood characters can not be found. ... This essay, through the use of Lantana, will explore a new Australian film that borrows from both Classic Hollywood and Art Films genres. ... In a classic Hollywood film reasoning as to the cause of dilemmas or problems is always given, even if these problems exist prior to where the film begins. ... The exposition of facts is an element not always present in an Art Film. ... As a classic Hollywood film would give meaning to the causes of the story, we would find out a reason why Jane’s husband left, and Leon, being a central character, would need to be identifiable. ... Another scene in Lantana which is not classic style is the dead body at the start of the film. ... It is the lack of exposition of this striking opening image that illustrates that this not a Classic Hollywood film. Lantana is not a goal orientated film; there is no search for a missing treasure or saving the world. It is life that is the goal of this film and the destructive and fruitful relationships that come from it. ... All of these effects come from Valerie’s disappearance, yet not all of these are resolved by the end of the film. Thus, through these examples it can be scene that lantana does not abide by classic Hollywood cause and effect. It can be said; however that in relation to this component Lantana leads more towards an Art Film definition. A component where Lantana involves classic Hollywood structure as well as Art Film is the use of time. In classic Hollywood narrative time and space are clear and unambiguous. ... This is common to Classic Hollywood, Lantana continues like this for several more scenes. ... At this point the audience is presented with information that in a Classic Hollywood structure would lead us to believe that the following scene and characters involved have something to do with the dead body.