MovieChat Forums > Sins of the Mother (2010) Discussion > Hated Shay's character...BIG TIME!!!

Hated Shay's character...BIG TIME!!!

posted 14 years ago by Darryl1914
7 replies | jump to latest

It was a pretty damn predictable film. I knew eventually that Shay (oops, my bad "LaShay") would see her mom in a "new" light, their relationship would grow blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda and then some. But the whole time I was thinking and saying to myself, "What a B!TCH!!!" She was B!tching and Complaining the whole damn movie as if she was the only one with problems and issues. She was selfish and dismissed everyone's struggle as not being anywhere close to what she went through. It was just simply terrible character development...I didn't give a FLYING PHUK on whether she overcame her issues, got back in school, because the entire film...there was nothing to like about her.

It almost makes me wanna hate the Actress as well.

[–] Vmar033 14 years ago

wow..chill out. First the movie was based on a novel. So, you'd have to be angry at the author of "Orange, Mint and Honey" Carleen Brice, which is ludicrous. In the novel, which is great btw, the girl is VERY angry and I believe the actress did a wonderful job with the material given as it was exactly what her character asked for. The movie left out some details and it's hard to consolidate a novel to a lifetime movie. But, She (Nicole Beharie) was perfect in it and probably the best thing about the movie besides Jill Scott.

[–] Darryl1914 14 years ago

Wrong!!! Movie, TV Film, Short Story, Novel or Video Game. Doesn't really matter. There needs to be some kind of character development...something that makes the character not just interesting but someone you wanna "CHEER FOR". That Character was a B!TCH to everyone she encountered. And to people who had no bearing nor were the cause for her pain, yet she "lit" into them anyway. How can I (as a viewer/reader) cheer for someone like that.

There was one scene that made me damn near turn the channel. "The Church Scene"...Jill was giving a testimonial in Church and because Shay (oops, my bad "LaShay") didn't hear what "She wanted to hear" she became angry and made someone else's testimonial "ALL ABOUT HER"...SELFISH B!TCH!!! Jill Scott was PHENOMENAL!!! But that Whinny-ass actress was getting on my DAMN NERVES!!!

And the sad part is that in our daily lives we all know people who are the biggest Jerks, Azzholes, Douchebags and "Emotionally Selfish" people. And these people ruin every personal relationship they ever attempt to have because they're always holding on to a BITTER/ANGRY PAST!!! My Grandfather used to say..."That's why they call it a "Past"...It's old, LET IT GO". My Grandpop also used to say..."EVERYBODY ALWAYS WANTS LOVE AND AFFECTION...BUT NOT EVERYONE KNOWS HOW TO RECEIVE IT!!!"

[–] Vmar033 14 years ago

Darryl,

Shay in the novel was the exact same way and that church scene read the same. ACTUALLY, in the book at the end of the exact same scene she screams out "F#K YOU!!!" in front of everyone as they're leaving. In the book there's way more time to develop her character but pretty much Shay is emotionally stunted because she was abandoned as a child. Everyone reacts to trauma differently, i mean she pulled her hair and was a nervous freak and yeah reading it i was like "gosh give her a chance, she's being a b!tch" but I also have not been through what she has. To be angry at an actress because she's doing exactly what she's told it's stupid. It's like being mad at Robert Deniro for being such a psycho monster in Cape Fear. It's just a movie. Anyways the actress that played Shay, Nicole Beharie (who i just love), was in another movie called American Violet. You should check it out. She acts totally different. It's like night and day. That's what makes a good actor. Someone you can barely recognize because they get into a character so much.

If you just didn't like the movie because thought it doesn't make sense to be that angry or it's not your type of movie period, then ok. But a lot of people that have seen it have cried rivers because they know what it's like and have actually been in that situation. I mean yah, i wish the movie could've been longer (especially the end it was a little rushed) but having read the novel she was exactly what i pictured Shay to be like.

[–] Darryl1914 14 years ago

I am really not sure how to respond. My first reaction was "Who in the hell does this B!TCH thinks she is". But a few years ago, my wife gave me a great book called "A Guide to becoming an Emotional Genius". And after reading that book, I've learned to never let my emotions dictate my reactions. So with that being said, I will respond to your post by saying this:

Can you please find and/or show me where I said anything REMOTELY close to NOT LIKING THIS FILM? In fact, can you please find and/or show me where I said that I "Hated" the Actress that played Shay (oops, My bad "LaShay")? What I said was... the development of her (LaShay's) character was so bad that I just couldn't like nor cheer for her and "It almost makes me wanna hate the actress".

Not only did I NEVER said that I hated her nor did I ever say that I was "ANGRY" with the Actress...As written by you in this sentence: "To be angry at an actress because she's doing exactly what she's told it's stupid. It's like being mad at Robert Deniro for being such a psycho monster in Cape Fear".

I have never read such a ridiculous and juvenile statement...Until, I read this following paragraph you wrote at the end of your post/reply: "If you just didn't like the movie because thought it doesn't make sense to be that angry or it's not your type of movie period, then ok. But a lot of people that have seen it have cried rivers because they know what it's like and have actually been in that situation."

Again, I NEVER said I didn't like this film, nor did I say I was angry about the film, nor did I ever say that It wasn't my type of movie. And the part about you saying the People "cried rivers" because they know what it's like and have actually been in that type of situation...Is the most Juvenile thing I have ever seen written on a forum and/or message board.

You know, I "cried rivers" after watching "Titanic"...But I have never been on a sinking cruise ship. I "cried rivers' after seeing "Antwone Fisher"...But I have never been molested as a child. And I also "cried rivers, a sea and an ocean" after watching "Precious"...but I have never been an overweight teenage Black Girl.

Who I am, Where I am from, my educational background nor my social economic status has no bearing on what films I or anyone enjoys or dislikes...And MOST IMPORTANTLY....IT IS ABSOLUTELY "POSSIBLE" TO BE CRITICAL OF FILM THAT YOU ACTUALLY ENJOYED. We both enjoyed the film. I just disliked the Character. I gave an opinion on the film...you gave an opinion on ME, based on "INCORRECT ASSUMPTIONS!!!"

But as my Grandfather once said..."Common Sense, Logic and Productive Reasoning only confuses those who have NO CLUE".

[–] Vmar033 14 years ago

jeezzz Louissee...yes i don't know you, it's just a forum!
I was exaggerating while making a point, not to be taken literally (when i made Robert Deniro/Cape Fear comparison) and yes I most likely misunderstood you. It's all in the way you write, it's not like we're talking so it's easy to misinterpret things. Especially when you use CAPS. It's like screaming to me but whatever..

Well, I didn't know you liked the film just looking at the subject line soo "MY BAD!". I just didn't understand why you attacked the character. Obviously she has big time ATTITUDE/ANGER problems and she was only hurting herself. That WAS the whole point of the character. I wouldn't react like mean lil Shay did but then that's her...and i understood it for what it was. I thought the character showed some range as she changed at the end and they came to an emotional conclusion that's why i said i only thought the ending was rushed in the movie and she was more angry than not.

But I still felt like she deserved to be forgiven because she suffered and she ended up forgiving her mom and changed her whole demeanor. Better late than never in my eyes, but hey if you think she didnt deserve any rooting for then ok but two wrongs don't make a right. She was the one that was a victim as a child. Her mamma out w/ some man for a whole week while she thought she was dead. She had to be the adult while her mamma puked her brains out after a nite of drinking and she did this throughout her WHOLE childhood. Afraid of drunk men knocking on her door. I take it back maybe I WOULD pull my hair out and cuss my mamma out. I mean I don't know because I've never had that kind of relationship w/ my mom. So, my criticism of the movie, it's that it didn't have the details of the book because they had to make it soo short. But it has nothing to do w/ the character per say. Just MY opinion, obviously. We'll just agree to disagree if anything.

[–] TexasGirley 11 years ago

Yea I hated the character as well.

[–] miss_brightside77 11 years ago

I can see why people hated the character, she wasn't likeable. But, honestly, that's how it's like sometimes when someone has that much anger, depression and insecurity. They're guarded, hide behind insults and being standoffish. Because they're miserable with themselves. Being that way isn't fun for anyone--it's true: hurt people hurt people. I know...I was in a situation like Shay's once.