The film itself has a tremendous amount of scenes that do not even include ANY people in the backgrounds: probably 95% of it only included the individuals with dialogue, that's number one. Two, you failed to recognize that in toward the beginning of the film they actually acknowledge an older woman in the background as filipino; (i found it refreshing they used an asian reference other than the usual suspects). third, in addition to the african-american couple in the park, the cab driver was also an african-american who had lines of dialogue (even to call him 'token' would be racist, that is, if you go that route). Lastly, the film was written and directed by Jeff Garlin, a stand-up and improv comedian, and much if not all of the major cast were also stand-up and/or improv comedians, and mostly likely personal friends of Jeff Garlin.
-- on the Jewish thing, bare with me; not once did i see a yarmulke, hear any word that was distinctly yiddish or hebrew in origin, nor any other artifacts that give hint to anything characteristically Jewish, other than Jeff Garlin and Sarah Silverman who are vocal in their respective comedy acts about there Jewish heritage/faith. Having typed that out; knowledge, acceptance of, or adherence to the Jewish faith and culture is not only not integral but totally irrelavant to watching or enjoying this film. The fact that you couldn't get over the casting of people you perceive as Jewish may be a sign of prejudice on your side.
not that my personal character is relevant, however should you choose to respond and need to know, I'm asian and african american and an atheist.
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C.S.Wood
16 years ago
-- on the Jewish thing, bare with me; not once did i see a yarmulke, hear any word that was distinctly yiddish or hebrew in origin, nor any other artifacts that give hint to anything characteristically Jewish, other than Jeff Garlin and Sarah Silverman who are vocal in their respective comedy acts about there Jewish heritage/faith.
I think that's kinda the point the original poster was making. It wasn't a "Jewish" themed movie, but I did notice that almost every role seemed to be filled by a Jewish actor. I'd make the exact same observation if the script was exactly the same and the exact same words were spoken and the scenes were played the exact same way, but most of the characters were played by Hispanic actors or Italian actors or Asian actors or Irish actors or Black actors. If that were the case people would think this was a "Spanish" movie or an "Asian" movie or an "Italian" movie etc if the majority of the actors fit one of those demographics even if the film could be cast with actors of any background without having to change the script.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall or Baby Mama, for example, are movies that could have been cast with actors from any background, but if they had cast either of those films with mostly black or Asian actors then it'd be labeled as a "black" or "Asian" movie.
"Action is how men express romance on film." -- Kurt Wimmer
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