We are ever evolving. The things we thought were funny a few years are now getting some side eye. We’re not saying erase our entertainment history. But, can we learn and move forward?
Let’s review, unless you just can’t revisit bad taste (and assault). And, that’s okay too.
1. The ongoing and pointless body-shaming of Natalie in Love Actually
Natalie, talking about her ex-boyfriend: “He says no one’s gonna fancy a girl with thighs the size of big tree trunks.” Not a nice guy, actually, in the end.
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
2. The transphobia in Ace Ventura, Pet Detective
Ace, thinking about Einhorn’s kiss: “Oh, my GOD! Einhorn is a man! [vomits]”
Photo Credit: Morgan Creek Entertainment
3. Vince Vaughn’s character being raped in Wedding Crashers
Photo Credit: Warner Bros
4. Everyone was sexually assaulted in Revenge of the Nerds
If you want to have sex with someone, at least let them know who you are. Also, GET CONSENT.
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox
5. Ariel in The Little Mermaid decides she can give up speaking to meet a dude
“It’s she who holds her tongue who gets her man.” Bah!
Photo Credit: Disney
6. Claire was definitely sexually harassed by John in The Breakfast Club
John Bender: “Have you ever been kissed? Have you ever been felt up?” Shut up, Bender.
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
7. In Overboard, Dean kidnaps and brainwashes dislikable Joanna after her head injury and makes her think she’s his wife
Dean: You jumped my bones the first night we met.
Annie: We did it on the first date?
Photo Credit: MGM
8. In Sixteen Candles, Jake gives his drunk girlfriend away to a practical stranger and tells him to have fun
The Geek: “By night’s end, I predict me and her will interface.”
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures
9. In Top Gun, Maverick follows Charlie into the ladies room to warn her against leaving with another guy
Romantic? No. Creepy? Yes.
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
10. In The Notebook, Noah hangs from a ferris wheel and threatens to let go if Allie doesn’t agree to a date
Noah: I’m gonna ask you one more time, will you or will you not go out with me? I think my hand’s slipping.
Allie: OK, OK. Fine I’ll go out with you.
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
Yikes.
Let’s be real for a second – I am not trying to get all preachy here at all. I laughed hard when I saw these scenes for the first time. But I also think we’ve reached a new level of respect for each other by now.
It will certainly be interesting to see what is considered distasteful to our future selves about the films we’re seeing now.
