I don't underestimate audiences' intelligence. Audiences are much brighter than media gives them credit for. When people went to a movie once a week in the 1930s and that was their only exposure to media, you were required to do a different grammar.

In this quote, Michael Mann expresses a deep respect for the intelligence of movie audiences, countering the common belief that the public is easily manipulated or not very discerning. He emphasizes that audiences are often much brighter than the media industry acknowledges, suggesting that they are capable of understanding complex narratives and engaging with more nuanced content. Mann’s perspective reflects his belief in the ability of viewers to appreciate sophisticated and thought-provoking cinema, contrary to the idea that the mass media needs to dumb down material to ensure audience engagement.

The quote also reflects on the evolution of media consumption, particularly comparing the past with the present. Mann contrasts the experience of moviegoers in the 1930s, when attending a film once a week was a primary form of entertainment, with today’s media landscape, which is saturated with constant access to various forms of content. In the past, filmmakers were required to adhere to a different grammar, a unique style and structure to accommodate the limited exposure to media. With fewer distractions and less content competing for attention, the storytelling had to be more direct, clear, and accessible.

By highlighting the change in media exposure, Mann notes that contemporary audiences have more access to diverse content and can engage with more intricate and layered forms of storytelling. The "grammar" of filmmaking has evolved to adapt to these changes, with filmmakers now able to take more risks and challenge their audience’s intelligence in ways that were not possible in the past. He implies that, with the right context, audiences today are not only capable of understanding but also enjoying more complex films that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

Ultimately, Mann’s quote celebrates the intellectual maturity of modern audiences, arguing that filmmakers should respect their capacity to understand complex narratives and not underestimate their ability to engage with sophisticated content. It also suggests that the changing nature of media consumption has influenced how stories are told, with more opportunities for filmmakers to connect with an audience that is more savvy than ever before.