- Sat May 19, 2012 12:20 pm
#227226
ezinra wrote:It's not about that, it's about exclusion and invisibility. Buffy was immensely popular with gay teens but that's not because gay teens literally believe in vampires.Malcolm Armsteen wrote:Whatever happened to the willing suspension of disbelief?
Is it about gay teens having to watch gay actors or else they aren't engaged? Because that would be a silly argument, wouldn't it? How would it play in reverse - didn't any straight people like Buffy? Do you think most viewers cared about the sexuality of the actors? Or the characters (you have me at a disadvantage here because I've never seen the thing). Or is the whole thing a bit of a flim flam?
Like most people, including you, I can do both. There's no one way to view a film or interpret a character. Yesterday we were congratulating ourselves on being able to read critically. Postcolonial, feminist and queer readings are a part of that. Minorities don't have as many real-life role models as dominant groups, so representation in the media is extra important. Is it unfair to ask that they portray themselves from time to time?Whatever happened to enjoying the performance instead of making it the subject of a politico-sexual dissection?
Who said it was? I'm saying that a person's sexual preferences don't really affect the rôle they are playing.
It's extremely uncharacteristic, but it sounds as though you're trying to silence alternative opinions here.
Yes. Of course. By arguing with you...
That's the point, all these issues are hotly debated. There was a lot of criticism when Renée Zellwiger was chosen to play Bridget Jones and had to put on weight. Why couldn't that role have provided a break to someone who was genuinely the size of Bridget, it's not as if they're overrepresented in films? The root of the problem is that Hollywood and the media in general are racist, sexist, ableist and all the other -ists and -phobics. When that is no longer the case, there will be no need to redress the balance, and actors will be free to play any role they wish.Where does prosthetic makeup stand in this world where everything must be as it seems? After all, it's precisely the same principle, that the art of drama is the projection of reality not the creation of reality itself.
Stunning generalisation alert! Perhaps, just perhaps, there were other qualities which caused the casting of Renée Zellwiger, like her acting ability, the range of expressions she can manage. Perhaps her being overweight and unhappy with it would bring something to the character. After all, would we cast Dustin Hoffman for a John Wayne rôle? Cathy Burke playing Marilyn Monroe? Because that's what you're saying.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.