Sexualizing children with words and actions is wrong. It's very, very sad.
This is correct, however this film doesn't do that. No child is 'sexualised'. The worst thing that happens is that a boy who is approaching the age of puberty sees a pair of tits and says a few swearwords when told to by a mean man.
This film represents everything that is wrong in Hollywood, today. Laughing at children and putting vulgar words in their mouths is not entertainment for a civilized world. I feel sorry for the boy that starred in this dumb movie.
There was no 'laughing at children' at any point. The laughs were at the expense of Bateman's character, who was purposefully mean-spirited and vulgar to them. The children were all the 'good guys'.
I fully understand the viewpoint that children shouldn't be exposed to things until they're mature enough to really grasp the reality of what it means, but I don't think this film specifically flouts that viewpoint. Children swear, everyone swears. Swearing isn't, in my opinion, an evil thing. It doesn't corrupt the mind. It can actually be fun.
Maybe we just have different views on what is acceptable, and that's fine, but I feel like you're initial post, although respectful and well-intended, is a bit 'molly-coddling' of children. They can't be wrapped up in cotton wool forever.
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HollyweirdAndVine
8 years ago
You are missing the point. This is a comedy. There are children under 13 in it. The humor is crass and sexual and the children are being used for the laugh. It's not funny. I get that children sometimes swear because they get it from their parents, (or movies like this), but the envelope keeps getting pushed further and further to the point of no return. It's s reflection of the decay of society.
To add to my point, when I was a waitress in Hollywood, a group of British soccer players came in and sat down. Soon after a woman with a few kids came in and sat across from them. One of the soccer players asked me if I would move his group because, "We are going to be using a lot of language that's not fit for children's ears!" These men were true gentlemen and I was so impressed!
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bigdaddyboxmeal
8 years ago
You've said it isn't funny but that's subjective. Its rating on here based on over 35,000 votes suggests quite a lot of people did find it funny.
It isn't any proof of a decay in society whatsoever. The film won't be watched by children, and none of the children involved will be in any way upset or affected by what they were told to act. In fact, I'm sure they would have loved it.
I'm happy to debate the role forms of media such as films play in the shaping of children's outlooks and/or views with you.
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gerbilstunts
8 years ago
I feel like you've an axe to grind and taking it out on this film whilst using strong suggestions of child exploitation. I'm also not at all sure why you're mentioning Shirley Temple and how she was treated in the 30s, as if child actors are still treated as such? That's really odd and again suggestive that you have a beef with something and making dubious comments on this film is your outlet.
I didn't notice any of your points whilst watching it, found the film quite different and funny myself.
Also this film is rated UK 15, it's not for kids.
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HollyweirdAndVine
8 years ago
I was making a comment on a film I didn't like and drew parallels to the treatment of child actors through the short history of film. That's why I quoted Ethan Hawke and mentioned Shirley Temple.. but as you state.. how ODD!
No ax to grind, it's called thoughtful discussion...hm?
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Little_Tyke
8 years ago
"These men were true gentlemen..."
Oh, right, so they announced that they were going to swear and curse in a public cafe, and you were impressed?
You should have shown them the door immediately, and kept the woman and kids sat where they wanted to sit.
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stagebandman
8 years ago
So you missed that whole scene with the girl that he convinced had just had her first period?
If we all liked the same movie, there'd only be one movie!
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