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Grease....... not woke enough!

(89 Posts)
Missfoodlove Sun 03-Jan-21 12:40:17

I watched Grease with my GD6, she was captivated, the story mostly went over her head but the clothes, music and dancing she adored.

Today I read there were many complaints as it is apparently homophobic, slut shaming, rapey and should never be televised again!
Oh also there are no black or mixed race actors in the film.

Have we gone too far?

Galaxy Sun 03-Jan-21 12:43:36

It's of it's time. Its not the greatest film but it is what it is. With regard to slut shaming I quite like the character (sorry forgot her name) who sings there are worse things that I could do than go with a boy or two' I think that was quite feminist for it's time.

Anniebach Sun 03-Jan-21 12:48:55

Good grief, I just checked, it was made 42 years ago.

felice Sun 03-Jan-21 12:48:59

I read that too, I watched it with DGS and he loved it, dancing all the time, just found any kissing yucky.
Of it's time, now watching How the West was Won, I wonder what they would have to say about that, if they bother to watch it that is ?????

vampirequeen Sun 03-Jan-21 12:50:37

Totally gone too far. It's a film of it's time. The characters are stereotypes. Not sure about it being homophobic. Greased Lightening is one of the campest dances ever and it's one of the most celebrated and loved parts of the film.

Galaxy Sun 03-Jan-21 12:51:53

It's fine for people to express views on it. I think most young people would find it weird to be honest.

FannyCornforth Sun 03-Jan-21 12:54:04

Galaxy it's Rizzo. I played her in a school play (shock) in the 80s!
Can you imagine a school staging that now?!

Galaxy Sun 03-Jan-21 12:57:34

Yes Rizzo I used to go round singing her song a lot blush

FannyCornforth Sun 03-Jan-21 13:01:32

Rizzo was played by the beautiful Stockard Channing, who was 34 at the time!

Jaxjacky Sun 03-Jan-21 13:01:53

We need to learn from history, not eradicate it!

Galaxy Sun 03-Jan-21 13:13:05

Yes there is quite a lot to learn from grease, we could point out that secondary schools arent really the place for people in their twenties and thirties grin

GrannyGravy13 Sun 03-Jan-21 13:14:22

Learn from the past by viewing and discussions not by bans and eradication.

Doodledog Sun 03-Jan-21 13:17:12

I don’t think it’s a question of not ‘being woke enough’. It is, as others have said, of its time. The 70s were sexist, homophobic and very different from now. I am delighted that my daughter hasn’t had to put up with some of the things that I did, and that she and her friends would question so much that I took for granted.

I can watch Grease and enjoy it, just as I can watch The Merchant of Venice without being anti Semitic, and in neither case would I apply today’s values to them or hanker for the days when they held sway.

I often wonder, when I hear about objections like this, whether they are similar to the rubbish that used to be talked about talked about black bin bags being banned - fake news spread in a deliberate attempt to ridicule progressive views.

It’s one thing to comment on the attitudes expressed in an old film, but quite another to say it should never be televised again! Where did you read that, MFL?

Calendargirl Sun 03-Jan-21 13:42:03

I have recently watched ‘The Godfather’ on I player.

The ‘n’ word was used, domestic abuse, numerous violent acts and murders, chauvinistic behaviour, you name it, it was featured.

The film was made in 1972, depicting a time scale between 1945-1955.

It was of its time, and a good film.

Lucretzia Sun 03-Jan-21 13:44:34

Galaxy

Yes there is quite a lot to learn from grease, we could point out that secondary schools arent really the place for people in their twenties and thirties grin

Love it!

Smileless2012 Sun 03-Jan-21 13:49:11

Yes we have gone too far and it's becoming ridiculous. You don't have to watch it do you.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Sun 03-Jan-21 13:49:28

It was very much of its time as has been pointed out. How would Seven Brides for Seven Brothers be viewed these days, I wonder? It's definitely not 'woke' but can be enjoyed for its music and general silliness.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 03-Jan-21 14:02:52

I have just watched Dirty Dancing (slow day at Gravy Grange) that’s got every ism you can think of in it..........still absolutely love it though ??????

Smileless2012 Sun 03-Jan-21 14:06:38

Me too GrannyGravy. 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' was on the other day lovebeigecardigans and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

quizqueen Sun 03-Jan-21 14:09:15

My daughter's favourite film; she's 35. We're certainly not a woke family!

trisher Sun 03-Jan-21 14:18:24

I think this comes from when the film was shown on Celebrity Gogglebox and some of the celebs realised how awful some of the lyrics were- specifically when JT was asked "Did she put up a fight?"
I'm not sure it should be banned but perhaps there should be a warning about some of it beforehand.
Strangely I think it now appeals to younger and younger children. Teenagers think it's out of date.
I've never liked it. Possibly because I didn't fit the mould for teenage girls in the late 50s either, but unlike Sandy I didn't tart up. I wanted to be a beatnik.

Lucretzia Sun 03-Jan-21 14:20:37

I think that's a good comment, trisher, about Gogglebox.

I never liked it.

Loved Saturday Night Fever though. I imagine that film would shock some youngsters today!

sodapop Sun 03-Jan-21 14:21:13

Jaxjacky

We need to learn from history, not eradicate it!

Exactly Jaxjacky for goodness sake don't watch it if you are going to be offended.. I find some of today's foul mouthed comedians far more offensive.

PollyDolly Sun 03-Jan-21 14:24:01

FFS whatever next!!!!

Antonia Sun 03-Jan-21 14:34:34

Some of today's programmes are far too woke for my taste. I watched some of 'The Personal History of David Copperfield.' David was played by an Asian actor.
Also, 'Anne with an E,' based on 'Anne of Green Gables,' in which Aunt Josephine was a lesbian, Gilbert goes to Trinidad, and Miss Stacey wears a tie. E.M. Montgomery will be turning in her grave.
I don't expect many people to agree with me, btw. It's just my opinion.
I love Grease.