Apparently the one of the films' stars previously portrayed a character named 'Simple Jack', a Forrest Gump-type character. This and the repeated use of the word 'retard' in the movie has garnered the attention, and protest, of several groups including the Special Olympics. Angela has decided to be among one of those protesting the movie.
I'm not sure what to think. I want to see the movie, I want to laugh, and I especially enjoy television and movies that show an "insiders' view" of Hollywood. I adored Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. (I might have been one of the few people in the country who did.) But I'm torn. I'm not a fan of bullying or making fun of those who can't stand up for themselves. This brought to mind the Niemöller poem:
- First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out -
- because I was not a Socialist.
- Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out
- - because I was not a Trade Unionist.
- Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -
- because I was not a Jew.
- Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.
In my novel I have characters who do things you may not agree with. Heck, I don't even agree with them. But those are the characters' lives, their stories. We all do things and say things others don't agree with. Should we be allowed to do them and say them? I say yes. Should Hollywood put such things up on a fifteen foot screen and sell it as entertainment? Who's to stop them?
Will I go see it? I still don't know. Any thoughts?
3 comments:
"I disapprove of what you say but I will fight to the death your right to say it"
- Voltaire
I do disagree with the language the movie is using and I don't appreciate the way that people with disabilities are apparently portrayed in the movie in question. I do however enjoy Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. and other public figures who say and do things I do not agree with.
I am choosing to not pay money to see this movie on principle, I work with children who are challenged by disabilities everyday and will not sit by and watch them be made a mockery of for the purpose of getting a few laughs and dollars.
It is my opinion based on things I have read and seen on the news and no I will not push my opinion onto others because as Voltaire says, I can disapprove of what you say and still need you to say it for the sake of freedom.
Well said, both of you. I am also choosing not to see the movie. I must guard my eyes and thoughts from things that are not pleasing to the Lord. I have a dear friend whose son is disabled and she is the one who first brought this movie to my attention.
Quite honestly, I rarely see any movie and quit seeing Will Farrel-esque movies a long time ago because I find them offensive and they do not entertain me. I may be a prude, but that is ok with me ;)
I can't judge what entertains others, but I do not have to support it.
Put this "situation" as just another thing that makes freedom and capitalism great.
Things can be put out there that we may or may not agree with and we can choose or choose not to see anything we want. Further, the market rewards high demand and punishes low demand, and if there are enough people that don't want to see a movie like this that it hurts the pocket-books of those making the movies, then those movies won't get made.
Kinda like Jamee, I'm getting tired of Will Ferrell movies...both because they're getting unnecessarily vulgar and also because he seems to be playing the same character over and over again.
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