Friday, September 21, 2007

So I have not seen the new Jodi Foster movie yet and likely won't until it comes out on video, simply because I don't always have the money to do that kind of thing. But, even if the revenge genre is getting a little predictable, the Brave One, a story about a woman taking revenge on her (and her partner, who was killed) attackers, could be interesting (and hopefully empowering) sort of film,

Brian Hughes from the independent University of Georgia publication, RedBlack.com, doesn't think so. In his opinion, it is a "steaming pile of feminist justice".

First off, the phrase "steaming pile" is usually following by the term "shit" and Hughes is likely referencing feminism as such. Furthermore, the film aside, what the hell is the problematic about feminist justice? In my head, the term could refer to the following:

1.) Prosecuting rapists and making them stay in jail for a long time
2.) Helping women get safe and affordable access to abortion
3.) Fighting back when attacked
4.) Getting George Bush out of office.

Ok, the last one was a little bit silly (although, in my opinion completely true) but the point is that these were the first thoughts that the term "feminist justice" raised in my mind and I cannot imagine any of them to be lumped into the category of this supposed "steaming pile".

Anyway, sorry this post isn't too organized but I am very angry right now.

I don't care one way or another about the film, honestly, but the comment was completely offensive and honestly, disgusting.

To be fair, Hughes has a point when he writes

"What does it say about our culture that we've had two films in less than a month claiming the only route to revenge is through the barrel of a gun?"


Ok, I tried, but one redeeming line in a sexist article does not make it ok.

Fuck you, Hughes.

3 comments:

Alec Wooden said...

You've missed the point of the review altogether. Brian doesn't say anything is wrong with feminist justice, he says there is something wrong with the director's interpretation and presentation of such. Feminism isn't "shit," the movie is.

Alec Wooden
Out & About Editor,
The Red & Black
Athens, GA

Vix said...

I understand what you are trying to say. And please don't take the"fuck you" personally, although I guess It would be hard not to. But, regardless of the movie, when someone says something is a "steaming pile of ___", then one can assume that the word there will be on a equal terms as "shit".

amityb said...

c'mon alec. here are a few ways a writer could describe the term "feminist justice":

-a compelling tale of...
-an interesting amalgam of...
-a thought-provoking journey of...
-an action-packed venture through...

but "steaming pile of"? really? like you don't expect the rest of that phrase to include shit.