Prejudice? Or something else? (1)
Why have I been reluctant to watch these movies?
There are several factors:
1. Maturity. I have only recently gotten to a point where I can watch and understand issues related to racism and xenophobia. Fun fact, I used to sob for days because I had seen a particularly gruesome murder of a black man.
But that is an overgeneralization, Ann. All storylines aren't that frightening.
Unfortunately, in my young mind, that was the conclusion I had reached. I guess you could say I know better now.
2. Language. While 'Ebonics'— or what my aunt calls 'ghetto speak'— isn't a defining feature of black movies, almost everyone I know identifies African-American movies by this trait.
I'm probably wrong, and I could be mixing up different accents and dialects, but I'm going to go with the language excuse for now.
In my eighth-grade Social Studies class, I learned that our preference for products from the 'Western World' is due to a colonial mentality that dates several decades.
In other words, we have been mentally enslaved to see all things that are 'white' as better.
While I'm not certain about the veracity of this claim, I think there might be some truth in it.
Anyway, it seems to be the most plausible excuse for my bias.
An aunt of mine recently complained about the representation of black families and cultures these movies have portrayed over the years.
She was especially frustrated by the direct use or implied reference to the use of illicit drugs and copious amounts of alcohol.
She also bemoaned the all-too-familiar narrative of the promiscuous black girl who ends up pregnant and alone, and who relies on a man( or boy!) for fulfillment and validation.
As a proud feminist, I find that line of reasoning deeply disturbing.
I question whether this is really what we want our children, boys and girls alike, to grow up thinking.
Should our daughters grow up with the mindset that unless they find a rich, good-looking man to marry them, all their accomplishments are insignificant?
I should think not. But, I think that up until a few years ago, many a movie that made it onto our screens had a misogynistic bent to it.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Here is a list of African American movies I've enjoyed :
1. Hitch
Will Smith is the wonderful matchmaker Alex Hitchens. Smooth with women, he mysteriously becomes tongue-tied when he meets Sara Melas (Eva Mendes) at a bar.
With several magical matches under his belt, we would think that Hitch would get his happily-ever-after.
Doing the right thing, however, is hardly ever easy.
Hitch deals with love, not lust, a fact that angers Vance, a self-absorbed prick who tries and fails in his endeavor to enlist the services of Hitch to score himself a one-night stand with Casey, Sarah's best friend.
His desire to do the right thing almost costs him his happiness as Vance registers his displeasure at Hitch's refusal to assist him by misleading Casey into believing that he's one of Hitch's customers.
But Hitch is not perfect. He isn't completely honest with Sarah about his job. And therein lies the crux of the entire disaster.
For me the most heartbreaking moment was when Sarah, already disillusioned by her previous relationships with men, acts on a story (false, of course) perpetuated by Vance, to publish a piece in the gossip column she works for, that sullies Hitch's reputation.
If your version of a 'happy ending' is that the love interests end up together, you'll get your happy ending.
You'll get a few laughs in as well.
My pick?
A seafood allergy of epic proportions that leaves Hitch's face part human and part sea monster.
2. Collateral beauty
Though slighted by critics, this is a movie worth watching. It deals with two dreadful subjects; cancer and the loss of a child.
Will Smith makes a convincing Howard, and through his interactions with Madeleine, the movie explores the effect of grief on relationships.
Desperate to help Howard and save the company, which has been going downhill since grief caused Howard to lose interest in his job, his friends and business partners stage a humorous but heartbreaking intervention.
They hire a private investigator, and as a result of one of her discoveries, devise an 'ingenious' idea to pay a trio of actors including the phenomenal Jacob Latimore to drive Howard into a fit of insanity.
The purpose?
Submit video evidence that would prove that Howard is unfit to manage the company so it can be sold and turned into a profit-making venture once again.
You will start outraged at this betrayal of their friend, and while their actions can never be justified, the movie provides insights into their problems— which have made them desperate to save their jobs.
You will probably laugh (or smile) in one or two parts, so it's not all gloom and doom.
But most importantly, you'll leave ruminating about what YOUR Collateral beauty is.
I just realized that this has turned out to be all about Will Smith movies.
I'm happy with the result though because he's an impressive actor and a wonderful example of the wonderful talent the African American community has to offer.
I shall tackle more movies in upcoming articles, don't worry.
I haven't yapped on about overcoming prejudice because I've watched only two movies.
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