MovieChat Forums > The Lorax (2012) Discussion > Nasty sexism and ageism debases Dr. Seus...

Nasty sexism and ageism debases Dr. Seuss

posted 12 years ago by marzgold
120 replies | jump to latest

I have only seen the trailer for The Lorax during the Superbowl, but that contained a little piece of dialogue that was so contrary to Dr. Seuss's elegant style and humane philosophy that I am sure the entire movie will be foul. What was this dialogue? Some little squirt is about to sock another character and is told "You wouldn't hit a woman" (or words to that effect), to which the squirt replies, "You call THAT a woman?"

Well, squirt, a woman can be any age, any size, any shape, any color. We are still women when we are fat or flabby or old enough to be your grandmother. We are still women when we are fully clothed. We are still women when we are your 5th grade teacher.

I know that this is just an attempt at 5th-grade humor, but it was not written by a 5th grade boy. It was written by a grown male writer who thought that kids would find it funny, and approved by grown man editors who also thought that kids would find it funny. That's really a sad commentary on how they want boys to grow up, and it has nothing whatever to do with Dr. Seuss.

[–] domotime2 12 years ago

are we joking?

[–] Walls Of Jericho 12 years ago

I think the woman is supposed to be nasty and mean. If you'd paid attention to the trailer more before you allowed our outrage to wash over you, you might have picked up on that.

[–] marzgold 12 years ago

Okay, so the woman is nasty and mean. That doesn't mean she's not a woman. Is a person only truly a woman if she's meek and kind?

[–] domotime2 12 years ago

we're not joking? this is serious?

[–] uncleosbert 12 years ago

i don't know. you aren't meek and kind and you are mistaken about the quote you're trying to discuss.

would you like to reply to the people who have kindly pointed out your error? i swear they're all hot chicks.

[–] Walls Of Jericho 12 years ago

Oh, you're not serious.

Nevermind.

[–] frenkelj 12 years ago

I don't get people that complain about how they are over weight. If you are fat stop eating. Over 99% of the time a person is fat because they over eat. Only once in awhile it is actually genetic. I lost 135 pounds by diet and exercise. It is not hard to stay healthy if you have will power. So instead of wining about it, how about you put down that piece of cake and workout for an hour. People shouldn't say they do not have the time because I work 70 hours a week at two jobs and still have the time to stay in shape.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Gmalkin 12 years ago

Marz, I think we're all waiting for you to admit you got the quotation very, very wrong.

[–] otterprods 12 years ago

I never even noticed that part of the preview before now. Now that you've pointed it out to me, I can see why some might be offended, but I'm not sure it was meant in the way you took it. I assumed that he was just being true to himself and learning about the human race as he went along, being from a mythical and isolated place.

of course you have the right to be offended and to not see the movie, but what were you hoping to gain by raising the issue on here?

Otterprods, to keep those aquatic Mustelidae in line.

[–] OneFilmLover 12 years ago

My biggest beef is it seems the lead character of Zack Efron (I don't care enough to look up the characters name) has zero interest in the trees or the environment, he just wants to win the girl like she's some sort've goddamn trophy.

There. It's on the Internet. Thus it's official

[–] Beverly_Marsh19 12 years ago

I just saw the movie, if I'm not mistaken (I don't think I am) he says "...that's a woman?" [to that effect]. It's an insult to her, not to the whole female population... We can still throw jabs at each other without having to be all Politically-Correct and s*** right? Or is humor also being governed by the state and policed by everybody who gets pissed off at everything?

[–] otterprods 12 years ago

I've got this hilarious picture in my head that the OP just so happens to look and sound EXACTLY like the insulted character in the movie -- purple furry-wool coat, orange-horn-hair, and all -- which is why she is taking it as a personal offense. So, if that's the case, then yes, I can see why she would be offended by that.

Otterprods, to keep those aquatic Mustelidae in line.

[–] Beverly_Marsh19 12 years ago

Hahahaha that's the only explanation that seems plausible!

[–] yoshi6355 12 years ago

less bitchen more kitchen

[–] jackcarver2009 12 years ago

Get over yourself, it's just a joke, and if your offended by it, then you have self esteem issues that you should deal with instead of crying on a message board

http://www.youtube.com/user/Ridinglikesatan?feature=mhee

[–] DannX68 12 years ago

But you see, Hollywood is FEEDING those self-esteem issues into people; they (in)directly say, that if you're not between 18 and 28 (maybe a little older if you're a guy), slender, have big b00bs/abs, straight, white, rich, etc., then you're nothing!
The overweight, gay and elderly people are ALWAYS played for laughs, and if not, they're disposable characters.
So of course anyone is entitled to attack the industry for their shallow ways.

And no, I don't have self-esteem issues, merely sticking up for the underdog.

...just sayin'...

[–] otterprods 12 years ago

"...elderly people are ALWAYS played for laughs..."

Really? So Max Von Sidow, Christopher Plummer, Nick Nolte, Glenn Close and Meryl Streep were all just Oscar-nominated because of their bufoonish comedy and disposable ugly-person roles???

Otterprods, to keep those aquatic Mustelidae in line.

[–] DannX68 12 years ago

Okay, should have elaborated: whenever it's not a serious drama, they're played for laughs and ridicule. Sci-fi, horror, etc.

Oh, and soooooooorry for not following the Oscars, I actually don't give a crap about them.

And funny how you pick THAT one thing out of my whole post. Guess it just goes to prove that most of it was right.

...just sayin'...

[–] otterprods 12 years ago

"funny how you pick THAT one thing out of my whole post. Guess it just goes to prove that most of it was right. "

Would you have preferred me to try to rip it apart line-by-line? And did you really think that was funny or did you mean 'funny' as in 'irritating'?... I don't really follow the oscars much either. I just looked it up (it's like two-clicks away from any IMDB page) before posting because I remembered Christopher Plummer had won something and thought 'how cool, he's still got it...'. There are many old-person roles in many types of movies that are not simply played for laughs and ridicule. In fact, I'm pretty sure The Lorax itself has a sweet old lady character voiced by Betty White who is central to the story. I could cite more examples but I'm certain you would just argue as to why they don't count.

Otterprods, to keep those aquatic Mustelidae in line.

[–] Satan2016 12 years ago

You registered on IMDB last month just to make a fool of yourself?

There was no political correctness in Seuss's day. All this multiculturalism, diversity, social/eco justice, etc is the work of idiot Marxists in our universities.

[–] scow79-1 12 years ago

All I have to say about this post is that it's a classic case of "1st World Problems"

[–] LAC95 12 years ago

When he says "thats a woman" I took it as he didn't know what she was..not just man or woman...I mean look at her. Not only is she way bigger than him but she has orange hair and its comming out of her head like horns, and of course there is the voice..could be man or woman. I'm a big girl but I guess I'm a little more confident with myself and don't take stupid things so seriously...if your offended than don't spend the $10 to see it...don't know what else to tell you.