Miss Penguin A few weeks ago I went and saw The Ugly Truth and I have to say, I was extraordinarily disappointed, not that I even expected all that much to begin with. And even though I saw it a while ago, it's been bothering me so much that I had to write about it. It reinforced some really UGLY stereotypes.
It's no wonder people can't look beyond stereotypes in relationships and actually communicate with each other when movies like this are giving us relationship advice. Basically what I took away from this movie was that all women are neurotic control freaks and go for jerks so that they can change them; in order for someone to like you, don't be yourself - be what you think the other person wants you to be; all men think about is sex (they are not capable of thinking of anything more complex than when and how to get laid next) unless you show no interest in them, and then they will fall in love with you; playing games is the best way to start off a relationship... I could probably go on but I won't.
It makes me really sad when the media furthers these kinds of stereotypes and unhealthy relationship stereotypes. And people say that the reason stereotypes exist is because they're based on truth but in many cases I think stereotypes exist because the media creates and perpetuates them. It makes me really wonder - would men really think about sex so much if the media didn't tell them that they do? (and similarly, would women think about it more if the media didn't tell us that we don't?). It's interesting to me the things we think are natural behaviors that are really learned. Just some food for thought.
Comments (42)
It's just a movie.
Yeah, it's dumb shit but, oh well.
ROFL I was thinking that. Just a dumb movie. And in romantic movies, it's not even the majority of the media's take, y'know? I see fifteen movies with a John-Cusac all-heart lead for every one like this.
the movie was funny in some parts, but it was just too cliche for me to enjoy overall. Now (500) Days of Summer is a different story. That's how you make a good, relatively realistic movie about love!
You paid to see that? I think that's the first problem we need to address here....
I don't think the media CREATES these stereotypes. They're truthful patterns spun completely out of control and the contorted, mutated versions of these basic patterns are enforced and publicized by the media.
The media
isguilty of reinforcing gender stereotypes; the commercials I typically see either show women as mothers and housewives or diet-obsessed and yearning to look 10 years younger (Basically, a female's main concern is to be caring, relationship-oriented, and forever youthful), while men are the ones being the aggressors and conquerors, or Judd Apatow-style sex-obessed immature men with hearts of gold. I'm tired of both of them, because they limit what both genders can be while pressuring them to act that way. Down with that way of thinking!
@Roadlesstaken@xanga - I love 500 days of summer!
It's just a movie. Despite what the media tells me I know all men don't think about sex and I know I think about sex so much the media wouldn't believe me. So don't let it get to you that much.
@Roadlesstaken@xanga - I really want to see that movie!
@methodElevated@xanga - LOL!! I agree..
this crap propagates so many stereotypes about men and women; i can't stand it. i am even appalled by the ads they place in public - that picture of heigl/butler along with a bathroom door-style illustration of a male and female figure with a heart on the female's head and a heart on the male's crotch. really? must they be so crass? as if it weren't bad enough that they feed this image into the minds of passersby, but i would be really aggravated if i had kids and had to explain to them what that poster meant and why it's a bullshit waste of space.
i don't think the media creates stereotypes. but it sure likes to latch on and perpetuate the hell out of them. people then think it's "cool" or expected to act a certain way, the media picks up on that, and the cycle of stupidity continues.
all "romantic comedies" seem to enforce ridiculous stereotypes.
i really don't think that's what the movie did at all, actually. i mean, if you weren't really paying attention, which i'm guessing the majority of people weren't, since they continue to bash it...
but i'm pretty sure the point is that she gets the guy she's trying to get, doesn't like him, and the "jerk" falls in love with her despite everything he says is wrong with her at first. it's not telling you to be fake. it's telling you that having a list of things you want in a person doesn't matter, because if you get that person, and you have to act like someone else to be with them, you'll never be happy.
you don't have to agree, but i thought the movie was cute, and really nothing to bitch about. if you don't like it, don't watch it.
i mean, i'm not going to put it on my list of favorites, but i see nothing wrong with it. and it's not because i let the media control my mind-it's probably the opposite of that.
@Roadlesstaken@xanga - My friend told me about that movie (500 days of summer)! she said I got to see it
Back to the chicken and egg question. Was the media first, or the stereotype? I think the media makes it worse, but in truth, it must be based off of a distinct minority [or majority].
I saw that movie with my boyfriend, and he kept pointing out how true most of the things the tv guy said were.
It's true though, the media has too much influence over people, but what can we do? It's the human way unfortunately. Many people follow others, for the sake of looking good.
Actually, I thought the movie ended up that the guy who SAYS all guys want is sex, likes the girl for who she is once he gets to know her, which shows the stereotype to be false. The doctor character was the one who enforced the stereotype, and she didn't want him in the end because she had to put on an act to get him. Anyway, I thought it was a funny movie. Cliche, yes, but it made me laugh.
.@MissPixieGlitter@xanga -I actually used to have that poster hanging up on my wall, except it said "the simple truth", and it was in black and white. Every guy who walked in either said "Oh, that is so true" or "No way! Not true." I don't stereotype, because everyone is different, but I thought the poster was funny, and seeing people's reactions was amusing :)
Um, sweetheart, take a look around. These stereotypes are true. We should work with them and maybe try to change them, but not lie to ourselves and pretend otherwise. We need more honesty.
Stereotypes come from somewhere, which means that enough people act that way to establish said stereotype. It's a movie, it's not a big deal, and if people don't like it, then they don't have to act that way.
@DancerDarlin@xanga@Finity@xanga - @Meowmeowkimmaee@xanga -
- right stereotypes do come from some where. Of course we know asians can't really drive. Black people aren't as smart as white people but they are athletic and can jump higher. We know slutty girls or girls who aren't virgins have loose vaginas. We also know white girls are the prettiest, asian girls are docile and like to cook and clean and are homemakers, and black girls are spunky.
*insert more stereotypes here*
I agree with you.. Life is sad if what the movie tells abt guys n gals is true...
I think it had the potential to be a good movie, but I chose to save my 8 bucks because we all know that the two leads will fall in love at the end, and I'm sick of the predictability. Katherine Heigl is starting to lose my respect as an actress. She seems so classy, yet always seems to settle for the smut-fest films. I think she can do better than that, it's a shame that she's selling herself short.
it really is disgusting to see how much the "worldy" prospective of things have people distracted. And sadly people believe that these things are normal. A lot of women think that because "sex sells" they have to have their boobs hanging out to make men notice them. It's really pathetic what the world's come to.
@SliverLines@xanga - doooo it.
@Trigger821@xanga - It's hilarious but real too. Go for it.