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Post by Neurochick on Feb 7, 2012 10:48:51 GMT -4
Being A Maid.An interesting take, have to say that I agree 100% with the article. Which is why I will not see this "movie."
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Post by bitca on Feb 8, 2012 23:47:21 GMT -4
"This movie" wasn't even mentioned after the first paragraph. What the hell does that article have to do with anything in relation to the actual movie?
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Post by Neurochick on Feb 9, 2012 10:39:50 GMT -4
"This movie" wasn't even mentioned after the first paragraph. What the hell does that article have to do with anything in relation to the actual movie? Plenty. I don't know about anybody else, but I'd like to see black women play other parts besides maids. Why can't a black woman be in a romantic comedy, or play a superhero, or even a First Lady? I think that's the point of the article. Too bad some can't see it. |
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jmc
Blueblood
Posts: 1,091
Feb 10, 2007 13:52:28 GMT -4
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Post by jmc on Feb 9, 2012 12:02:51 GMT -4
Being A Maid.An interesting take, have to say that I agree 100% with the article. Which is why I will not see this "movie." It says a lot that some of the few mainstream movies about black women feature them as maids, or as damaged or degraded somehow. I'm glad this movie got a lot of criticism that trickled down to the mainstream media. The book was torn apart as well, but that was mostly contained to black blogs and the book's Amazon review page. Points like why is this role in this movie going to be Viola Davis's best shot at an Oscar (and likely Octavia Spencer's only shot) and a lot of the maids' actions would have either landed them in jail (which was kind of addressed when that one maid was sent to prison due to her boss's lies), got their asses beat or lynched needed to be made. |
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Post by bklynred on Feb 9, 2012 22:36:46 GMT -4
I don't want an avalanche of maid movies to be made, but I thought this was a great movie based up on a great book of layered characters. I found nothing to be as simple as black and white. But I realize I'm speaking for myself. I've heard Viola Davis herself speak highly of the author and the director, so I have no issue rooting for her for this "maid movie."
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huntergrayson
Guest
Nov 28, 2024 22:49:15 GMT -4
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Post by huntergrayson on Feb 9, 2012 22:50:21 GMT -4
Also, Viola Davis has done over 50 films/TV shows. She's only played a maid a few times. This is her first lead in an Oscar-baity movie though. If her performance as a maid in this means an Oscar win and she then has the power to move into producing (as she has said she wants to, to have better roles for African-Americans and films made by black filmmakers), then isn't it kinda a good thing? Same with Octavia Spencer - I think again, winning an Oscar for playing a maid means that she then can take on different roles.
I can also easily see Tate Taylor doing another project with Octavia (they've been close friends for a while) that doesn't have to be about race, where it is simply a prestige project that happens to star African-Americans. I think having two more African-American Oscar winning actresses is, overall, kinda a good thing, because Oscar winners get shit done in Hollywood and cause movies to be greenlit.
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Post by bitca on Feb 11, 2012 23:10:58 GMT -4
"This movie" wasn't even mentioned after the first paragraph. What the hell does that article have to do with anything in relation to the actual movie? Plenty. I don't know about anybody else, but I'd like to see black women play other parts besides maids. Why can't a black woman be in a romantic comedy, or play a superhero, or even a First Lady? I think that's the point of the article. Too bad some can't see it. Black women should have more roles, but Hollywood really likes them blond haired, blue eyed, size zero women. And I can see it fine. Like I said in my first post. "The actual movie." Whatever. Agree to disagree, etc. |
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Post by Oxynia on Feb 12, 2012 17:20:53 GMT -4
Let's agree to disagree respectfully, please. The written equivalent of an eyeroll doesn't work on this board.
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Post by azaleaqueen on Feb 12, 2012 17:21:57 GMT -4
Well, I must say this: Even though black women are frequently portrayed as maids, they are just as often portrayed as women who are incredibly strong and have more sense then their white "superiors". Prissy from GWTW is an exception, but there are usually exceptions to rules.
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mmmkrimpets
Landed Gentry
Skate faster! We have reservations!
Posts: 825
Jan 10, 2009 20:28:00 GMT -4
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Post by mmmkrimpets on Feb 12, 2012 17:41:29 GMT -4
Chris Rock put it best when he said it's like that uncle who paid your way through college, but molested you. The Oscars have a hard on for damaged or servile female African American characters (Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, Monique, Hattie McDaniel and now The Help). Women of color are absent from Shakespeare, bodice ripping hoop skirt costume dramas, war movies, war crime movies, or romantic comedies without an obvious cultural slant. Forget slavery or post slavery centric movies. Between Roots, The Color Purple and Amistad that quota has been met despite it being such a long part of American history, yet other historical or cultural movies get made and awarded year after year. A few years ago Judi Dench and Kate Blanchett two amazing actresses were both nominated for playing Queen Elizabeth. Queens. Now two amazing actresses of color are nominated for playing maids.
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