Why I Never Watch "gay" Hollywood Movies Anymore

America prefers its gay movies really, really, not gay. So Adam Sandler and Kevin James getting all grossed out by each other clearly wins out over show tunes, dancing, and John Travolta in love with Christopher Walken. We imagine Universal is pretty glad they replaced Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor’s gay-friendly script, which climaxed with Chuck and Larry passionately kissing, with Sandler’s rewrite and its “who dropped the soap?” jokes. (source)

I’ve pretty much given up on Hollywood when it comes to producing a movie that is realistic about gay characters. Time and time again, I go to these movies only to be subjected to really offensive jokes about gay people. If I want to be called a faggot, I can do that for free on the streets, without paying $10-$12 a ticket to sit in a movie theater to be called a faggot. And my understanding is that this movie does that quite often. It’s ok though because the Adam Sandler character eventually gets around to saying toward the end of the show that it’s really not nice to say that to gay people. But this of course only happens after we’ve sat through two hours of it. And no, I haven’t personally seen the movie, but this is what I’ve been told.

This is the way it is for America today. People like to call themselves “tolerant” of gay people. They are, until they actually see gay people holding hands in public, or kissing. Then, these “tolerant” people tolerantly call the couple “faggots”, or beat them up (better yet), thereby bringing balance back to the universe. People are tolerant as long as we are never seen, and if we are seen, there has to be a joke close by. This movie is true to form.

That aside, a movie with the title, “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” simply makes light of the fact that thousands and thousands of gay families along with their children from coast to coast do not have the ability to marry, or the protections of marriage. So to make a joke of that in the title of the movie is well.... intolerable. That is why I’m a bit surprised that GLADD would go along with this film...

Despite the rampant homophobia in the film, I understand from on-line reports that Sandler showed the film to GLADD in order to prevent them from picketing screenings. Having seen the film, the only possible explanation for GLADD’s refusal to complain about the content is that when they saw it, they realized that the film is an equal-opportunity offender that takes cruel potshots at virtually every other group imaginable–perhaps realizing that he can’t do these dumb frat-boy comedies forever, perhaps Sandler decided to have one less blow out in which he could make cruel fun of everyone who isn’t Adam Sandler or Rudy Giuliani (who receives a bizarre late-inning shout-out that his presidential campaign probably won’t be knocking themselves over to exploit anytime soon). (source)

And this from an interview from GLADD...

Through the disarming use of comedy, there is an exploration of homophobia, which often involves stereotypes and slurs, and it holds a mirror up to that and asks people to consider where it comes from. I can’t imagine a studio movie being made five years ago that even dealt with marriage equality and the discrimination that same-sex couples face on a daily basis in this country. (source)

Perhaps they are right. Five years ago there may not have been a studio movie “that even dealt with marriage equality and the discrimination that same-sex couples face on a daily basis in this country.” But my question is, can’t they do that without all the crude jokes and degradation of gay people?

Some things never change. I’ve also never really understood why it’s so difficult for a straight male actor to kiss another man if that role calls for it. I would have no problem kissing a woman passionately if the role called for it. Colin Farrel had such a role. In the filming, Colin went farther than his counterpart was comfortable with. Colin stormed off the set in a rage saying, “Let me know when amateur hour is over...”. And just for the record, Colin is a straight man, who apparently is quite serious about his art. And if it’s done well, I, the viewer, shouldn’t be thinking about, “Wow, he did that gay scene well, being straight and all.” I should be swept up by it. But I’m probably asking a little too much from the likes of Adam Sandler.

As far as Hollywood is concerned, they try to put on a face of being progressive to issues like ours by throwing us a “gay movie” every once in awhile, usually laced with a good dose of homophobia. Are we supposed to feel grateful for being mentioned? I would rather be totally ignored, than have some recognition from people who claim to be enlightened by using us as the brunt of their jokes, all for the bottom line.

And that’s why I won’t watch a “gay themed” movie anymore.