MovieChat Forums > Casa de mi padre (2012) Discussion > White Hollywood

White Hollywood

posted 12 years ago by ValianceInEnd
121 replies | jump to latest

I find it interesting that Hollywood would make a Spanish-language comedy with a predominately Hispanic cast, only to cast the lead role as a recognizable white Male. Ferrel's character is named Armando Alvarez, a very Hispanic name. It seems they can't take a risk like this without casting someone to get white people in the theaters as well as the Hispanic market. Is this a part of existing social prejudice that they need to market such a film in this way? Or are they simply racist?

[–] Neuronhead 11 years ago

It's a Will Ferrell movie that was made around him. That they "cast" him in it is part of the comedy. Geez.

I choose to believe what I was programmed to believe

[–] Stil_Novo 11 years ago

Of course it's not racist. Part of the humor is in Will Ferrell looking somewhat out of place amongst his more traditionally Mexican-looking family and friends. Secondly, both "white" and "Hispanic" are relative terms. Hispanics aren't a race; there are white, black, and Native American Hispanics, and every mix in between. How about Mexican boxer Saul Alvarez, is he less Mexican because of how he looks?

At the end of the day, it's the people looking everywhere for racism that are the most racist.

[–] freemanpatrick7 11 years ago

They HAD to use Will Ferrel...Johnny Depp wasn't available.

It seems they can't take a risk like this without casting someone to get white people in the theaters

It seems to me that ANYTIME you cast Will Ferrel you're taking a huge risk. The average production budget for all his movies is about $30m but the average world wide gross is just over $80m. Once you factor in advertising costs he's an average box office loser.

But I do agree that Hollywood is obsessed with white people. When Robert Rodriguez was making Desperado they wanted him to use a blond girl to play the part that went to Salma Hayek.

[–] sethdhanson 10 years ago

What are you kidding? No one likes to see Hispanic people in lead roles. White people should NEVER be in roles that are inferior to minorities. NEVER. EVER!

It's a Will Farrell movie. If you want to see Spanish people in lead roles move to Spain. Is anyone in China pissed off because they don't put white people in lead roles in Chinese films? Why does America have to put minorities in lead roles but no other country does?

[–] emncaity 10 years ago

I find it interesting that you seem not to realize that the movie business is first about making money, and if you have a superbankable star like Will Ferrell, you put him the lead role so the dollars will roll in. If you think these guys wouldn't put the darkest-brown Mexican they could find in the lead role if he'd outdraw Ferrell by one dollar, you really don't know enough about the business to be commenting.

[–] loki242 9 years ago

OP is a moron.

HELP AGGRAVATE THE STATUS QUO, VOTE AGAINST EVERY INCUMBENT YOU SEE ON A BALLOT.