Arts Letter of the Day
posted by on January 5 at 14:49 PM
Dear Lindy West,I emphatically agree with the sentiment in your review of Freedom Writers. I’m sorry that as part of your job you had to endure sitting through this movie. I have merely had the experience of grimacing in embarrassment and horror when the movie trailers were played on TV - and that was just from seeing Patrick Dempsey’s milquetoast mug as co-star.
It is true this “young white hero(ine) teacher saves at-risk youth of color from intellectual backwardness and six-feet-deep moral depravity” is a sickeningly overplayed, grossly racist, and rather boring movie plot. And it does make us white folks feel better to recognize in advance those obvious points, and counter with our own co-options of people of color culture and speak that the ignorant and probably-white writers forgot to include. In this way, we demonstrate our cool self-awareness as part of a racial group that mucks up nearly every attempt at progressive relations on the public stage. I mean, I’m not a racist, are YOU?
But what’s your point in saying Hilary Swank “sucks,” is “homely,” and “has big teeth?” As you say, she plays a real person who is “obviously… a great teacher and a great lady.” So would you rather they’d casted a more beautiful (and quintessentially white) actress to better represent her and us - say, Meg Ryan, Kate Hudson, Jessica Simpson?
If you were to truly meet a roomful of “angry minorities,” - and when do white people who aren’t public school teachers ever have that experience? - self-awareness, a sense of humor, and humility are absolute musts. Hating yourself is not.
Maybe it’s because I have big teeth, too,
NES
You the man now, dog!
this is a rather good point.
I'm married to a former teacher, and we never ever watch any Noble Heroic Teacher movies. They are always and forever painful, even when they're not obviously racist.
But, I think Hilary Swank is beautiful, big teeth and all.
Really, only a self-hating woman would claim Swank is "homely". Puh-leaze! I'd hit that, and any hetero guys you know would hit that too. Multiple times.
NES is right, of course--clearly a more thoughtful and temperate soul than I. I have a weakness for a cheap shot, and my distaste for H-Swank's face has very little to do with the film. But would I have preferred Jessica Simpson in the lead role? Um, YES!!! Think of the possibilities!
Also, I don't really hate white people. It's just that we're SO CORNY.
I have a distaste for her face, as well.
i'd rather see 'homely' Hilary than that gawdamned annoying 'mcdreamy' yutz Patrick whatshisdick...
jessica simpson WOULD have been delightful in that role... then schmader would have had another deliciously bad movie he could endlessly comment on...
Hillary was The Hawtness in Boys Don't Cry. *swoon*
I think we're long overdue for a movie with Ice Cube as a teacher at Exeter, or something. Let's turn this cliche on it's head and have some fun.
served.
Gotta agree with Lindy. Hillary Swank fails to possess any of the qaulities that I consider attractive.
Um, Seattle98104:
Just because you would bone Swank doesn't mean her teeth aren't abnormally, distractingly large.
People have sex with uggos all the time. I mean, someone is like, boning Howard Stern all the time.
I think Hilary Swank is tres hot - but I do think her looks aren't suited for the typical Hollywood style, and when she tries to femme it up, the look doesn't quite work.
Who cares? I have big teeth. and I hate big teeth. But not more than i hate too-tiny teeth. I also think Hilary Swank is a hottie, but I like the idea of a homely hottie. It makes a certain amount of sense.
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