MovieChat Forums > Blind Dating (2007) Discussion > disability in movies

disability in movies

posted 17 years ago by clytamnestra
15 replies | jump to latest

am i the only one who is annoyed by the fact that hollywood rarely uses actually disabled people to play disabled characters in movies?

it's not just that i think disabled actors should have the chance to work, but i think it would add to the overall sense of reality of such movies.

even if you are a good actor, even if you bother to prepare for your role by spending some time blindfolded or in a wheelchair or some such, you will still not experience the real thing (because you can rip of that cloth, step out of that chair any time you want).

[–] Wood_Nymph3690 17 years ago

I think they're casting based on who would be best for the part - the disability of a character is not the only thing and actor needs to portray. Therefore, if you have a good actor without the disability and a bad actor with the disability, who are you going to choose? The good actor.

The fact is that actors are cast based on their ability to play every side and facet of a character. But the fact is that just being disabled isn't enough to insure that the person isn't going to be able to play the part well enough.

Ladies don't start fights, but they can end them.

[–] kirstenzoya 17 years ago

I think you are right. Also it's a delicate subject and many people including myself are unaware of the real hardships these people face. I guess even raising it as a topic is a good start to promote awareness. Especially since new technology is coming out they may be able to help people gain senses they were born with out or have lost.

[–] rogerbrooks-1 17 years ago

Find me a disabled J. DEPP lookalike and I will see a need for them in movies.

[–] Landrix 17 years ago

Johnny Depp? So, unless a person who looks like Johnny Depp is disabled, you don't think disabled persons have a place in movies?

Your statement is, to date, the most asinine and ignorant thing I've read on IMDb forums.

[–] Moscow113 17 years ago

The statement is neither asinine nor ignorant. It's life. Beauty and sex sell. People would rather choose to look at good looking men and women in the movies. Especially, when it comes to movies for young audience, which "BD" is aimed for. Young girls would feel more sympathetic for Chris Pine than some unknown blind avegare guy-next-door. I'm not trying to offend blind people, but, unfortunately, when it comes to money-driven mechanisms like Hollywood, looks talk. Otherwise, the problem of super-skinny actresses and multi-billion beauty business wouldn't exist.

[–] madsic 17 years ago

he's right
people watch movies to escape their reality
if they want to see average looking people with disabilities they can go outside
would people watch "lifestyles of the upper-lower class and average"?

[–] AtheistRevolution 17 years ago

would people watch "lifestyles of the upper-lower class and average"?

LOL!

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

[–] mmboy 17 years ago

What about Marlee Matlin??? Look how far lovely Marlee has reached!!!She is right now part of the cast of the famous and cool tv show "Desperate Housewives" playing a deaf housewife who hide secrets like the other ladies in the show. So I think that disabled actors work in movies, not many, but they work in movies too....Another example if you saw Jim Carrey's movie "Simon Birch" you noticed young actor Ian Michael Smith... Ian has Morquio Syndrome, also known as MPSIVA. It affects the skeletal structure causing dwarfism. His full height is three feet, 1 inch tall. He is a a good student, likes school, sails a small boat, kayaks, swims, plays the trumpet and piano, and likes to play chess. He is actually Attending Massachussetts Institute of Technology.

I don't like when hollywood laugh at dissabilities..example Mr Magoo making a fool of blind people....so my question is.."Blind Dating" respects blind people of laugh at them?

[–] madsic 17 years ago

my question is... why are you stalking a "young actor" called Ian Michael Smith?

[–] Wood_Nymph3690 17 years ago

LOL madsic, LOL

Ladies don't start fights, but they can end them.

[–] spatgo 16 years ago

haha! funny!

[–] harveythepooka 16 years ago

not trying to be mean but it would be VERY hard to work with someone who was much more than just legally blind being it would be quite hard for them to make their mark etc . . . maybe I am just ignorant and I am sure it would be much easier for some people than others but to find someone who could proform like a seeing person, while being attactive and also being a talented actor is a tall order

but one of my fav movies is the best years of our lives and the guy who played homer in the movie is really disabled I reccomend that movie to anyone who loves dramas :)

[–] AmericanIdolQueen721984 16 years ago

Blind people can do more than you're giving them credit for. I have spoken and been around quite a lot of them and they are just like someone with sight only they do things different.

[–] kronos251 16 years ago

But what about retarded characters? should they be played by retarded people too?

If disability really mattered so much than talent, maybe they should've hired a real psycopath to play Hannibal instead of Anthony Hopkins... for authenticity purposes eh..?

Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.

[–] TheCommenteer 16 years ago

acting is all about pretending to be something you arent. so its not unexpected to have someone play a character completely different to themselves, its what theyre paid to do. if every actor were to play characters fitting their profile all the time...they should definately be getting a pay cut. plus, not too many big name blind actors around, names bring in money.