My friend colin had been trying to gety me to watch the film In the Loop for about a month. He would tell me that it was one of the funniest movies he had seen. But I was still skeptical, because when I would ask him what it was about, he would tell me,"You just have to see it dude. Trust me." Well, last night I finally trusted Colin enough to actually watch the film. And to my amazement, it WAS one of the funniest films I had perhaps ever seen. Usually, I am fully against telling "why a movie is funny." Partly because humor is subjective, but also because I think it is also sacred. We shouldnt dissect What makes certain things funny, but back to my point. Im sorry to break my code hear, but what makes In the Loop so funny is the swearing. The curse words in the film are so effectively, and not to mention inventively, placed that it makes the already hilarious premise of the film ten times better.
Now dont take me wrong, I fully support foul language to be used for comedic purposes. But many timesthey are used as the entire joke, instead of the just an amplifier. If a word is just over used and stretched it takes away from the coedic power it has. In the Loop uses its swearing woth such inventiveness that they are never over done and remain fresh throughout the film. Sadly, other comedies, such as Superbad, The Big Lebowski, or Knocked Up(and please dont think I am bashing these fims, which is why I chose 3 of my all-time favorite comedies), arent able to see the sacredness of their swearing, and much like Icarus flying to close to the sun, these types of films just over use thier cursing and it becomes dull. Im hoping that comedies of the future are able to learn from such films as In the Loop and respect their swearing and view them as the gifts they are..
-Vneck Biker
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I find it quite absurd that you view swearing and foul language as a good thing! What about using more appropriate words that will not offend others? I understand not everyone likes swearing or even the opposite, but it seems like you are putting it up on a pedestal asking for movies and shows to use foul language. I think that this language should be removed from many pieces of work. It does not make it better, but rather worse and limits the audience. If you go back and look at last semester's work you will surely find support for what I am getting at in the Exploring Language book.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of "foul" language in films used for comedy I feel like the swear words are honestly needed for something to be funny at times. If someone was to substitute "nice" words for swear words in (lets just use a recent funny movie as an example) The Hangover would it have been as funny. For instance Allen didn't use fowl language however he makes fun of Phil when he uses it and it is rather funny. If you truly want to see something that involves cussing in an early day look up Richard Pryor. He was one of the first comedic artists to start cussing in comedic acts and it truly is quite hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI understand with what you are saying. When I watched Superbad it was an obscene amount of cursing and other foul things. Don't get me wrong, I thought it was hilarious it just went too far. I see what you are saying about the sacredness. Sadly the foul language makes these movies that much more funnier, but the joke does not have to be smothered with curse words.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little curious right now. Do you feel like the jokes in the movie are negative because of the curse words? I feel like for me that they are just words used in combination to make a feeling of laughter. I think I feel this way because i grew up on them riding on the bus, or playing sports, or just watching T.V. and i'm not saying that this is a good thing but its just me. Is there an age where cursing in movies becomes ok to either of you? Or is it just not acceptable at any age?
ReplyDeleteMastercraft, I suppose I have to say that I in no way am pushing for exposing children or younger viewers to MORE swearing.. I personally believe that, while the decision is always to be left with the parents, children should not be exposed to large amounts of adult language early until they reach a certain matureity level.. But back to the my point, what I was trying to say in my post was that cursing should never be looked to lightly. And if they are used, they should be used effectively. I was actually calling for less swearing if film makers show themselves to be unable to properly utilize their cusing. I understand that you personally may have a problem with swearing and that is fine. No one is forcing you to enjoy it or engage in it. That will always be your own personal choice.
ReplyDeleteAnd Smith, I touched on this in my first comment, but I think that children should never be exposed to the same sorts of things adults are, and that goes not just for swearing, but for drugs, murder, sex, ect... The parents should decide when their children are ready to be exposed to certain things. ANd for the other question, I completely agree that Swear words are just words that are funny. But what I was trying to get at was at times they become overused and loss the magic that made them funny in the first place.
ReplyDeleteOh I completely agree with the fact that swear words, sex, drugs, violence, ect...should not be used around young children. Swear words do have a certain sense of magic to them but like you said in your post about the movies Superbad, The Big Lebowski, or Knocked Up they do cuss a lot which should make them less popular or good, but for some reason they aren't. Pineapple Express is another good example of a movie that tends to cuss a lot but is still one of the most popular films going on today? What makes these films so popular and good even with their excessive amounts of cussing?
ReplyDeleteWhats makes them so funny is that they are able to blend their swearing along with their jokes.. Please dont get me wrong, I am 100% pro-cussing in films, especially comedies. Its just funny, to put it simply. But, in my opinion, they should be used well opposed to just being used frequently. But if filmmakers are able to frequently use them whilst being effective, Im fully supportive.
ReplyDeleteI believe that there are different movies intended for different audiences. Different people feel differently about the use of sex, drugs, foul language, and violence. I personally am not a fan of extreme violence so there are certain movies i choose not to watch because of this. For example, "The Last House on the Left" has a very graphic rape scene and due to my upbringing and background I am very offended by this. Certain people may feel this way about cursing, but thats why it is up to them to censor what they do and do not watch,
ReplyDeleteThere are things all in this world that are obtrusive and offensive. This is becasue there are all types of people in this world!! Not one of us hold the same values or compelete opinons. My point is: people express feelings differently, so if everyone expressed themesleves in their own way, there is always someone to be offended. This is life people, and we should really just look past it.
ReplyDeleteLaughing is an expression, as scowling is as well. If swearing exessively in movies causes this reaction from mulitple people. It has obviously done it's job.
I believe there is a time a place for cursing. For the same reasons everyone else stated, to make sure children do not become desensitized by the constant exposure to drugs,sex,and cursing in fear a child may grow up and partake in these acts not truly knowing the consequences. To go back to what Vneck Biker said, cursing should be used as an amplifier and not be the basis of the joke.
ReplyDeleteBy the way... The Big Lebowski and Richard Prior are both considered comedy gold in my book.