 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
195.93.60.106
In Reply to: "The movie is a classic. " And that is a shame... ain't it? posted by Victor Khomenko on June 5, 2006 at 10:09:25:
I left a cinema during a film only once in my life. It was 1968 or 1969, and I went to cinema with my last money, to “Guess who…”. But I could’nt bear it. I felt embarrassed, unpleasant. It was’nt only the “a shallow feel-good margerine”. I think it was that kind of latent racism, a kind of a “We are all human beings – even the blacks” – attitude, that made me leave.
Follow Ups:
you may have came away with that idea but it certainly wasn't the intent nor the common reaction.
Of course, that was not the intention, and the common reaction probably was a more naïve one. But I suppose it was intented to be a kind educationally film, and you may find a “secret teaching-flat” behind it. I saw the film in Germany 1968, when I was a student and interested in those subjects. My reaction at that time: I never would visit this film with a black friend; he could feel insulted by it.
In addition to the typcally American cuteness you see in many weak movies.
Not. Kind of ironic that you would complain that Guess who's coming to diner is some how racist and then you would make a comment like that. What do you think was the trust, the theme, the primary point of the movie? Seriously, what do you think the film makers were trying to say?
I guess they wanted to say something along the "racism is bad" lines, just didn't know how.By comparisson, To Kill the Mockinbird DID know how to say it.
That makes it a classic.
American film makers don't need to be ashamed of themselves, as long as they don't try to speak an unfamiliar language. There are tons of Hollywood movies to love, things like It Happened One Night... and many others from that era, sparkling with great humor and not suffering from that "cuteness" syndrom.
"I guess they wanted to say something along the "racism is bad" lines, just didn't know how."I think that most people would agree publically with that statement. I think that the film went a little deeper. I have lost count of people who say they are not racist, yet look critically at mixed marriage couple, or the children of a mixed marriage, as though racism only equates with slavery or black only restaurants, restrooms, and hotels. The purpose of Guess Who, as I see the film, was to demonstrate that racism is present in those who are willing to work with persons of color, socialize with persons of color, believe in equality, yet are willing to do so when their sons and daughters want to marry, and they must welcome such persons in their household.
Well, yes, I think that was a clear message, and I do not have any problem with the message itself, just the way it was done... I mentioned one aspect - sugar coating it by giving the black guy all his incredible credentials - patronizing...Plus all the characters had as much connection to real life as Clint Eastwood Pale Rider.
BTW - accepting mixed marriages doesn't create problems just for racists - some people would not want it for their children due to potential complications in the society with remnant racism on both sides.
a) poor black male and rich white girl?b) poor white male and rich black girl?
c) poor white male and poor black girl?
What other combination would you find plausable that would work in this story?
The idea of upper class mobility NOT precluding racism was an essential part of that story; it provided food for thought at a time when some African Americans (albeit very few in the late sixties) were beginning to break out of the rigid social class structures. The movie may seem dated in some aspects, but the essential elements hold true whether they make you feel uncomfortable or not.
AuPh
... if Josephine Baker had been cast in Claudette Colbert's place? ;^)Food for thought.
AuPh
"I guess they wanted to say something along the "racism is bad" lines, just didn't know how."No. Not even close.
"By comparisson, To Kill the Mockinbird DID know how to say it."They both knew how to say what they wanted to say. It just didn't come through for you with Guess who's coming to diner. no big deal. It happens to all of us. But the movie did work for many of us.
"That makes it a classic."
Classics are a matter of opinions of many diverse and knowledgable people. They are both classics.
"American film makers don't need to be ashamed of themselves, as long as they don't try to speak an unfamiliar language."Is that what was wrong with The Passion of Christ? ;-)
" There are tons of Hollywood movies to love, things like It Happened One Night... and many others from that era, sparkling with great humor and not suffering from that "cuteness" syndrom."There certainly are some other great movies from that era. I think you just didn't get it with this particular movie. No big deal.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
