Repulsive Romantic Comedy

[DonMike]

http://www.justfriendsmovie.com/

Okay, have you guys seen this trailer yet? The movie is called Just Friends. It's about this guy who was fat in high school and goes back to his hometown as an adult all worked out and sexy and with a hot girlfriend to show up the kids who picked on him and he tries to get together with his high school crush.

Okay, pardon me while I rant. Yes, I was a big geek in high school and I don't really care much about going back for reunions and stuff, but honestly, I'm fatter now than I was then but I'm happier now than I ever have been. So why is it that I'm supposed to feel like I should be ashamed of myself and not be able to go back and show people that I'm a happy successful person living in LA just because I don't spend all my time in the gym. I hate this Hollywood ideal about how you should look and this idea that if you are handsome and well built then everything will be perfect for you. I read a story in a local gay magazine where this guy who had been heavy was going to the gym all the time now and saying that if you are fat you will never be happy and you should just give everything else up and start going to the gym. What the hell was that all about? Some of the hottest guys I know are big bear Daddies. Sorry, but they have the billboards all over Hollywood with this guy in a fat suit and it's really pissing me off. Grrrrr. :frown:

Thank you for letting me vent.

[DonMike]

And you know, while I'm ranting... why is it when you have a romanic movie about two men or two women it's a "Gay Movie". You don't see them advertize movies like "Going Shopping" as a "Romantic Straight Comedy". What's that all about?

[basschick]

as always, because the majority doesn't have to describe themselves. it pretty much sucks - it means that white str8 men are the people who are assumed to be normal.

i'm fat and over 45 and a woman whose primary interest is not involved having or keeping a man. they don't have a lot of romantic comedies for me, either. somehow even i buy into the feeling that going to my high school reunion (which is like 14 miles away) is best done thin, rich and not as a chubby bassplaying porn meister. funny thing - in high school, i was a stoner in choir and several other singing groups so i doubt anyone really expects me to be a stock broker. it's the fat that's the worst for me - the social unacceptability of it makes me hate to even be seen by anyone.

and i'm sure movies like that are a big part of why our society has to be that way.

And you know, while I'm ranting... why is it when you have a romanic movie about two men or two women it's a "Gay Movie". You don't see them advertize movies like "Going Shopping" as a "Romantic Straight Comedy". What's that all about?

[claudio]

But you're not giving up youself because of this awareness (i mean weightiness half)...have the same problem lately..

good luck

PS instead going to the gym you could do some daily sprints in the Hollywood Hills....:whip:

[basschick]

actually i had some serious health problems, and could not run at all. i am using an exercise bike and weights, but am very limited for a long time to come.

on the other hand, people ask me out - and no one stares when i come into a room. so i guess my point which i just kept going with was why can't movies show chubby people finding love and success? or short people or bald people? there's a lot more of us out there than there are model-perfect actors.

[desslock]

I read a story in a local gay magazine where this guy who had been heavy was going to the gym all the time now and saying that if you are fat you will never be happy and you should just give everything else up and start going to the gym. What the hell was that all about? Some of the hottest guys I know are big bear Daddies.

Andrew Sullivan's current article in the New Republic interestingly includes the emergence of "Bear Culture" in the gay community as an example of how being gay can no longer be distilled into one specific cultural stereotype.

Steve

[dalimili]

You know... there's not much romantic comedies about people who have various facial disfigurements...

I'm still amazed that people actually watch Hollywood crap... go rent some world movies...

[DonMike]

I think that's why I liked Shallow Hal so much. Having a larger guy playing a character who is very down on others for their weight and looks really says a lot about our society. I read somewhere that they were looking for a younger, slimmer guy to play that part but I think it was much better with black. And the fact that he learns to appreciate women for who they are rather than be stuck on a physical attribute gave the movie a lot of heart. Plus, I find Jack Black incredibly sexy. Moreso when he's scruffy and has longer hair, but pretty much in anything he's in, he's mucho sexy. Woof!

[Lee]

And you know, while I'm ranting... why is it when you have a romanic movie about two men or two women it's a "Gay Movie". You don't see them advertize movies like "Going Shopping" as a "Romantic Straight Comedy". What's that all about?

You know, on November 23rd Rent hits the cinemas.

I have yet to see a SINGLE commercial that even mentions the main characters being gay, hiv+, trannsexual or lesbian.

Its going to be interesting to watch the fallout after people go to watch the movie and suddenly realize its jam-packed full of 'gays' LOL

Regards,

Lee

[DonMike]

Matt Stone and Trey Parker did a really nasty parody of Rent in their movie Team America. It was in very poor taste and very shocking. I loved it!!! I often deal with tragedy through humor and I have to admit, while I won't describe the parody here, it did make me laugh. Plus, I love humor that is usually considered in poor taste. I thought Strangers With Candy was really funny just because they went to over the top with their portryal of everything from homophobia, racism, addiction, child abuse and many other touchy subjects. People get way to PC these days so anything that shocks usually gets me to giggle. Only if I know it's in good fun. People who intentionally set out to hurt and degrade people but hide behind the idea that they are just trying to be shocking bother me. Like Howard Stern. I don't care if it's all an act, there's not a hint of irony in his words or skits, so I don't really care for him.

Having said all that, I can't wait to see Rent. I haven't seen the play but I've heard so many good things about it. I think most people will already have a clue about the gay characters since the play was such a huge success on Broadway. There may be a small percentage of people who may not know what they are getting into. It's pretty refreshing, though, to see an ad campaign for a movie with strong gay characters that's not all "Big gay homo movie".

[robin]

My all time favorite high school reunion movie is "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" -- there I said it.

"Just Friends" doesn't sound or look like a movie I'd enjoy. One of the things that I don't like about the types of movies that you're ranting about Don is that I get very uncomfortable about them. I'm far from being a large guy but my hubby is round. I sometimes refer to him jokingly and lovingly as Winnie The Pooh -- my English Teddy Bear. (He doesn't identify himself as a bear though btw.)

[SLS]

I think the idea behind movies like this is to feed a fantasy and let the viewer live vicariously through the characters experiences. I guess you are saying you would rather see the reality of a situation like that, not how someone would make it up in their head that it should be. That's fiction for you though. It's definately not supposed to make you feel bad though, if your reality dosn't match their fantasy. Are you saying you are bothered by movies existing that portray that fantasy, or the lack of movies that portray something closer to reality? Because I think that IS real to a lot of people, a desire to look a certain way and be accepted and admired because of it. People who are well adjusted and comfortable with themselves the way they are are great, but maybe not exciting enough or screwed up in the head enough to make angst films involving high school reunions about.

When I was a kid I really loved the movies Murial's Wedding and Welcome To The Dollhouse. One good angst film every few years is enough for me.

[DonMike]

Oh, I love fantasy, don't get me wrong. It's just that it's really rare to see a story about a heavy person who has a happy person about something that does not involve them losing weight. Like I was saying about Jack Black. I love the fact that his movies are never about him being fat. I hated Chris Farely. I never once thought it was funny when he would play the "hey look at the goofy fat guy" parts. I mean, he never did anything different. That was his whole gig. Look at Dawn French, the incredible english comedian (half of the French and Saunders team that created AbFab). She's a hefty gal and the only time the would use her weight for a laugh would be when she would play a character who was known for their looks and figure. Sure the joke was that here was this big girl supposed to be playing Catherine Zeta-Jones or Bjork, but you quickly got over the initial shock (and laugh) and were totally taken in by the amazing parody, her comedic wit and genius.