Can tear-jerkers turn you liberal? As Good As It Gets and The Rainmaker make you soppy, says study



Political scientists found that Hollywood movies can change attitudes more than advertising and news reports

The researchers noted a leftward shift in attitudes after the participants saw a film with a liberal message



Sentimental films make you more liberal, research suggests.



Political scientists found that Hollywood movies are better able to change attitudes – in a left-wing direction – than advertising or news reports.



Todd Adkins, of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, said audiences seemed to turn off their critical faculties when they reach the cinema.

Sentimental films, such as The Rainmaker (pictured), make you more liberal, research suggests

‘Viewers come expecting to be entertained and are not prepared to encounter and evaluate political messages as they would during campaign advertisements or network news,’ he said.

Dr Adkins’ research, published in the journal Social Science Quarterly, was based on a study of 268 students who were asked about their political views, shown a film and then questioned again.



Half identified themselves as politically conservative.

Political scientists found that Hollywood movies are better able to change attitudes - in a left-wing direction - than advertising or news reports

The researchers noted a leftward shift in attitudes after the participants saw a film with a liberal message.



The movies were As Good As It Gets with Jack Nicholson and The Rainmaker with Matt Damon.

