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'It's a story from the 50s, things were different': Olivia Newton-John hits back at claims Grease is SEXIST

posted 3 years ago by TMC-4 (19392)
69 replies | jump to latest

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-8880183/Olivia-Newton-John-hits-claims-Grease-sexist-Sandys-raunchy-makeover.html

The actress, 72, brushed off claims the 1977 film is sexist in the wake of the #MeToo movement in an interview with The Guardian
In recent years it's been claimed that Grease offers a sexist portrayal of women, as Sandy felt the need to change her appearance to be with Danny
Meanwhile the male characters - the T-Birds in particular - are solely focused on the sexual aspects of their relationships
Sandy undergoes a raunchy makeover at the end of the film, while Danny's look and ideals remain the same
The film has also faced controversy for its songs' underlying sexual nature, including Summer Nights, which some claim has connotations of rape
Others have defended the film

[–] Sparky123 (1658) 3 years ago

What a load of crap.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 3 years ago

couldnt have said it better.

[–] melissah1982 (883) 3 years ago

Absolutely ridiculous and I am so tired of this ME TOO nonsense!

It IS a movie about sex! the whole play and movie is about young teenagers and their damn hormones. OMG.

and that whole line about Danny not changing his ideals comes from someone who has apparently NOT watched the movie because at the end, Danny changes out his leather jacket for a letterman's sweater because he left the gang in an effort to change FOR Sandy!

And Sandy's story is definitely more of a coming of age for her. She went from shy prude to becoming a mature confident woman. It was MY favorite part of the movie (38 year old who grew up with this film in the 90s).

Can we also remember it's just a fun mock of the 50s set to some really great and iconic songs? Summer Nights is hilarious FOR the sexist lyrics the guys take. it's two different people telling two different stories in one song. Jeese.

sorry for the rant. People trying to attack pop culture from a different time using today's standards are ridiculous.

[–] Noufa (378) 3 years ago

It's such a lighthearted movie, people forget it was made in the 70s with a jaundiced eye about the 50s. Richard Linklater did something in the 90s with a movie set in the 70s. Which got me thinking, has anyone made a similar movie in the 10s about life in the 90s?

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a26963608/90s-period-films/

Most of the movies mentioned in the Esquire article seem overly sentimental about the era. Except for Climax, which sounds downright depressing.

[–] blue1981 (6412) 3 years ago

Jonah Hill made that movie that was called Mid90s.

[–] Noufa (378) 3 years ago

The Esquire article mentions it. Was it more hard-nosed or wisftul?

[–] Boromir (9712) 3 years ago

left the gang in an effort to change FOR Sandy!

She went from shy prude to becoming a mature confident woman

Two important arguments.

Radical feminist theorists will always find a connection between their theories and every cultural item - regardless of context. It's clear that the director intention at the last scene, made Sandy a mature and confident young woman. Both are in a learning curve, Sandy didn't know what to do at beginning of the song but her friends guide (The cigarette scene). Danny learning to be more caring and Sandy more confident.

[–] TMC-4 (19392) 3 years ago

Grease is 'racist, rapey, homophobic and slut-shaming' and should never be shown on TV again, say woke snowflakes

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9106979/Grease-racist-rapey-homophobic-slut-shaming-say-woke-snowflakes.html

[–] Roguemail (1562) 3 years ago

Oh fuck off dude.. the adults are talking.

[–] TMC-4 (19392) 3 years ago

Did you actually read the article first before making your comment!?

[–] aavfreak (2858) 3 years ago

"Grease is 'racist, rapey, homophobic and slut-shaming' and should never be shown on TV again, say woke snowflakes"

> Oh fuck off dude.. the adults are talking.

It's almost like you're so eager to be outraged you can't be bothered to read *checks notes* not even a single full sentence.

[–] Roguemail (1562) 3 years ago

Me telling you to fuck off is not outrage.

It's just me wishing you would genuinely fuck off.

[–] aavfreak (2858) 3 years ago

You really are lost and clueless aren't you?

[–] Roguemail (1562) 3 years ago

Really? Take a look at some of tmc4's 'contributions' to this forum.

He contributes nothing. He is one of the worst trolls on here.

[–] aavfreak (2858) 3 years ago

Touché. I think you win this one. I'm not going to defend TMC-4

[–] wearsalan (5554) 3 years ago

He contributes nothing. He is one of the worst trolls on here.

True. he can't even get the year it came out right. It was 1978 not 1977

[–] TMC-4 (19392) 3 years ago

Why should the typo about the year it came out, matter to the overall message or debate in the article that I posted? Saying "he can't even get the year it came out right" as a complaint is the definition of "petty".

[–] wearsalan (5554) 3 years ago

1) Getting a small detail like the year it came out in an article that is meant to be informative is indicative of the accuracy of the information in general.
2) Analysing the movie with 21st century eyes is petty if anything.
3) The movie was a smash hit and there were few complaints about any part of it. The few people who did complain were the people who got the likes of the Mighty Mouse cartoon banned, so it tells you how ridiculous they were.
Finally, have you really been so chewed up over my reply that it has taken you 7 months to respond?

[–] TMC-4 (19392) 3 years ago

Your argument that the movie made money so people shouldn't complain about it, is the most shallow defense of a movie that one can find. There have been many movies of dubious critical quality that were "smash hits":
https://www.goliath.com/movies/10-terrible-movies-that-made-a-killing-at-the-box-office/

[–] TMC-4 (19392) 3 years ago

And no, analyzing a movie with 21st century eyes isn't petty. It of course depends on what exactly is "petty". But you can't just excuse a movie by saying that it was a product of its time.

https://ew.com/movies/tcm-reframed-classic-movies-problematic/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/racist-sexist-classic-how-hollywood-is-dealing-with-its-problematic-content-4141665/

If we can't talk or analyze Grease now, then when was a perfect time?

[–] wearsalan (5554) 3 years ago

If we can't talk or analyze Grease now, then when was a perfect time?
You are not analysing Grease though, you are offering 21st century values on a 70's movie that was set in the 50's. So yes, I can say it was a movie of its' time.

[–] wearsalan (5554) 3 years ago

My argument is not that it made money so your non sequitur is dismissed.
I said it was a smash hit, ergo it was popular. Around the world in fact. As for dubious quality, that's a matter of opinion and popular opinion is and was, the movie is great.

[–] TMC-4 (19392) 3 years ago

If a movie made money at the box office, then isn't it technically or by design, "a smash hit", meaning that many people went out and paid tickets to see it in a theater. What the hell did you think I was trying to say or get across then?

[–] wearsalan (5554) 3 years ago

You were trying to say ....Your argument that the movie made money so people shouldn't complain about it, is the most shallow defense of a movie that one can find.

My argument wasn't that the movie was good because it made money. People believed it to be good and it was popular. Around the world in fact. As for dubious quality, that's a matter of opinion and popular opinion is and was the movie is great.

Clear enough?

[–] TMC-4 (19392) 3 years ago

Why the fuck are you continuing to respond to threads that I started if I "contribute to nothing"? You yourself, aren't contributing either, but divert the subject just so that you can personally trash my merit as a poster.

[–] HelpMeRhonda (1154) 3 years ago

Today's youth are more like the kids in Grease than some realize.

[–] liscarkat (16476) 3 years ago

Those of us with functioning brains need to start telling these idiots where to stick it.

[–] marktayloruk (2375) 2 years ago

Tell the woke snowflakes to sleep and melt!

[–] Who (5146) 3 years ago

Nobody ever acknowledges that Danny underwent a change too. He took up running track, earned a letter sweater. That took a far longer commitment than having Frenchie restyle Sandy’s hair and clothes for an afternoon at the fair.

[–] JohnnyCastle (393) 3 years ago

Great point.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 3 years ago

yea good point and he also did like her. Cause he went out with her before that and it was obvious he fancied her. The makeover was just in jist to win him over quicker. lol.

[–] Otter (24464) a year ago

True, Danny spent half the school year trying to turn himself into a square-ass jock to please Sandy, before Sandy turned herself into a floozy to please Danny.

The difference is that Danny's attempts to change would get him pregnant!

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

OF COURSE it's sexist!

The story wasn't meant to set some some sort of moral paradigm, it's supposed to be good dirty fun! And it is!

The sort of people who go around making this sort of objection have never had fun in their lives, and I'm embarassed to share a political wing with them.

[–] blue1981 (6412) 3 years ago

People need to stop bowing down to every desire from fucking morons. If you don't like it don't watch it.

[–] bigbadwolf666 (4707) 3 years ago

I know right.
Imagine all the xplotations films, macho films, or anything sexual to begin with.

I dont see them attacking instagram, facebook, porn, strip clubs, etc...

[–] kenburke (2279) 3 years ago

People always have to complain about something.