THE PROM - Worst Gay Representation? Gay Brits Review + Surprise
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 พ.ย. 2024
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Maybe we were too harsh? What do you guys think?? Very cute film that tackles quite a topical issue (particularly in the US). Enjoy our reaction and apologies for the technical issues!
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Yeah. For instance, Cameron Monaghan and Noel Fisher are both straight actors who played gay people in Shameless. They were abs. amazing. They are great actors.
For me, as a gay man, I'm not signed up to the idea that only gay actors should play gay roles (or other derivatives thereof). It should be all down to the quality and ability of the actor up for the role. There have been some great protrayals of gay characters by straight actors, just as there has been of straight characters by gay actors.
I also recall some comments at the time of this piece's initial release saying Corden's character is portrayed in the same way in the stage show in the stage show that the film was based upon. So, if true and whilst not excusing Corden rather terrible performance, the issues run deeper into the original concept of the character.
This video was uploaded a while ago, but just thought I'd add my two cents to the 'gay actors playing gay roles' debate. I'm definitely not in agreement with that - I think parts should be awarded to the highest quality and most suitable actors, regardless of sexuality or anything like that. At the end of the day, an actor's job is to get into the mindset of someone who has had a different lived experience to their own. You don't have to be a murderer to convincingly play a murderer. A soldier to convincingly play a soldier. To quote the amazing Jonathan Pie: "If a straight actor plays a gay role and resorts to lazy gay stereotypes, that isn't because they're straight - it's because they're a shit actor." (James Corden, looking at you.)
I also think the 'only queer actors should play queer roles' thing is really problematic because it's contributing to a lot of these 'queerbaiting' accusations that have been flying around recently, especially towards young actors. Kit Connor, who plays bisexual Nick in Heartstopper, had months of queerbaiting accusations online because he played a queer role and people assumed he was straight - therefore saying that he shouldn't be playing Nick. After being subjected to this bullying for far too long, he was forced to come out as bisexual before he was ready, at the age of 18. It was heartbreaking - and other people in the media are struggling with the same accusations, either because they're straight or because they don't want to label themselves. Actors shouldn't have to be forced to be publicly out just to play a queer role - especially if, like Kit, they're so young and probably still figuring themselves out.
Anyway, that's just my thoughts - I always enjoy your videos :)
I took your advice and looked over some of your previous content after watching your Heartstopper react. This was a great review of Prom btw. Corden was totally unconvincing as a gay man. Everything felt like he was acting, nothing felt authentic. I am so glad Heartstopper worked with the Stonewall to ensure there was authentic representation among the majority of the cast.
To bad Prom didn't take the same path. Yeesh this movie was terrible. And the music isn't memorable at all. 💯 agree with this reaction.
Your make a fair point that bad representation is counterproductive when shown to enough people. Films and TV shows have the potential to affect the beliefs of millions for better or worse. That's why it's essential to get good representation. How that's done is up for debate, but knowledge of/respect for the history, culture and experience of LGBTQ+ lives can help add depth and authenticity to representation.
Late to the party a bit.
As someone who saw the stage show first, I look at the movie as putting too much on James Corken and it his role. All of Barry’s backstory is much more downplayed on stage, and that serves to centralize the prom storyline as the primary plot point rather than the actors. However, when Barry has such rich backstory and background as in the movie, it distracts from the larger context: that all of these actor figures are superficial, misguided saviours who learn their lesson on what it means to be authentically gay from the next generation. The original writing of these characters is intended to be offensive and brash, and downright awkward, because the journey they take is the self-reflection and the learning fro: the next generation. This really gets lost in the movie adaptation with all of the added material about him reuniting with his mom, etc.
In terms of the gay actor/role piece, the reason I would hesitate to restrict gay roles to gay actors only is because that would necessitate the actors portraying gay roles to be openly and public ally gay. I would hate to think that we would be taking opportunities away from someone who is looking to take a risk in their own sexuality exploration, or who was gay but didn’t want to be public about it because we needed to ensure that they themselves are public about their experiences. What matters more to me, as you mentioned, is the authenticity of the acting journey they bring to the stage, regardless of their own personal lives and experiences. This to me is where James missed the mark on this role, not his own personal experience, but rather that he didn’t bring the depth of the authentic experience. That could be an issue of skill or authenticity, but either way I agree that it creates a problematic depiction of his character.
When these two issues are combined, we have a lethal combination. With the original writing in place, I don’t think his depiction would feel early as offensive because of the purpose of the character. On the other hand, these new writing choices might have had a modicum of success if they could have been portrayed with much more authenticity, whether or not the actor themself is gay.
The Prom works wonderfully as a live show due to the fact that the actors are interacting with the audience. I really enjoyed it!!! I found the film to be flat and couldn't even get through it. Such a shame the people will assume the film as the best version. No way. The show is truly an evening of fun.
I think what really anoyed me, is that James's caracter got to play those moments of portraying trauma lgbtq+ people go through .... but from a straight perspective and it feels like it's missing the point and is only for the drama and the entertainment of straight people
I watched the prom a month ago at 3am and I forgot about it, just got reminded how much of a train wreck it was!
I think this is a really difficult one. Watching the film, JC's portrayal felt dated, but you can see him being pressed to play up his natural campness to tie into the character's back story: people do sometimes create an inauthentic facade as a form of self defense.
Just playing himself would have felt far more authentic, but at the same time his performance never felt mocking in the way that somebody like David Walliams can. There wasn't a sense of winking knowingly at 'the straights' over his shoulder while playing the stereotype for laughs: he didn't seem to be undermining or trying to diminish or question the validity of queer experiences.
It may just be that JC was not the best actor in a not so great film...
Hey guys I’m new to your channel, just discovered it and you both just look so kind and cool. I’d have this music recommendation for you both that you could maybe do a reaction on. I listen to kpop and a couple of years back the first openly gay idol debuted, Holland. I think both of you could enjoy his music where he express himself in such a conservative industry. I’m not afraid anymore, is one of my favourite song from him but also neverland
Please review young royals on Netflix! Love you both! ❤️ keep up the great content!
When I was coming of age in the mid-eighties, we could only have representation with a pre-emptive "warning" to "be advised" that there was content that could be considered "adult" or "offensive" and we would watch with eager anticipation, only to see a same sex hug or see a main character tell a side character that he or she was "ok" with them being gay. Acceptable gay representation back then was a gay person getting laughed at or dying of AIDS. One of the first movies that really made me cheer at the end was "Beautiful Thing" and that wasn't until maybe 1995.
I mean I partially agree because I have seen great portrayals of Gay men by straight men, such as I can not imagine Bill Hader not playing Richie Tozier in IT, but I do appreciate that the gay couple in the beginning were both played by actual gay actors such as Xavier Dolan. But also, I was honestly kinda shocked that Corden wasn't gay in real life, but then again I was fooled by NPH being straight in Harold and Kumar and How I met your Mother.
Andrew Rannells absolutely makes this film for me. James Corden is painful in every scene he’s in but Meryl Streep is great and there are some good songs that made it onto my playlist (Love Thy Neighbour, Alyssa Green, You Happened) The storyline is a little boring and slow at times and like you said Ryan Murphy is generally amazing with shows, this film falls flat in comparison but generally it’s okay. James Corden just is too painful to make it worth watching. I do think the film is worse in memory than in reality though.
Totally agree that James Corden portrayal of a gay man was unconvincing to be generous. Not really willing to concede that gay characters should only be played by gay people, though.
Thanks Derek, it’s definitely a tricky topic. There have been some fantastic performances by straight actors in gay roles, like Timothée Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name, so I don’t think it’s a clear-cut issue!
Yeah really wasn’t keen on The Prom
If James Corden came out as gay, would that make his performance better or worse?
Unfortunately, I cannot watch this movie because It’s so annoying watching a film where a straight celebrity so nonchalantly envelops a gay character in way which is so stereotypical it’s actually offensive - he’s such a bad actor as well, it pains me lol! James Corden will forever be smithy off of Gavin and Stacey.
I agree with you both, that generally speaking, queer parts in movies should be prioritised for queer actors and celebrities. I mean there are great examples of works where straight actors play gay parts, like Brokeback Mountain, but nonetheless my point stands.
Ive literally stumbled across your channel after going down a deep hole on TH-cam’s algorithm. I have now instantly fallen in love with you both. Subscribed hehehehe
I had no interest in this movie after reading the reviews but I feel like James Cordon own particular brand of genuine camp would maybe have worked fine? I like him a lot (loved him in Doctor Who) and I love his unapologetic love of musical theater as a straight man. Like he legit is pretty camp but not like what I'm seeing in this clips. It's not OTT it's just sort of the attitude of someone who's got a background in musical theater and is very comfortable in his own skin.
Well the movie was just ok for me. I do agree about James. As far as gay actors for gay roles i dont think thats totally fair. We have seen gay actors play great straight roles and the other way around of course. The job should be given to the person who can actually do a great job.
For some reason I found Cordans character offensive but not so much by modern family's Cam. I wonder why?
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe it’s because Cam has the balance of Mitch, whose actor is gay in real life? Or simply that the actor who plays Cam is a better actor?
pleeeaseee though I just want to see your full reactions of Love Thy Neighbor and Unruly Heart
side note: I know this is two years old, but also pleaseeee try to find a bootleg/"slime tutorial" of the original (stage) version of this. I saw it four times on Broadway and once on tour and it really is amazing
honestly I think this movie was a great concept and overall good rep if you remove James's character it did put a sour lense over it for me even though the other actors were great. in regards tto the only gay people should play roles debate i think they should be cast based on talent not how famous they are. there are plenty of good portrayals of straight people in gay roles but also gay people playing straight roles like NPH in how i met your mother. i think if we say only gay people can play gay roles it takes away part of acting but to have people who haven't experienced those things in those roles you need nuance and respect for who you're representing in the role
#JamesCorden is a "One Note Blunder" on stage. #InandOutMovie this movie will resurrect your gay souls. Please review it. 💙💙💙 Love you duckies 🐤 🐤 with Tom Selleck.
Cordon is just not a good actor - whether playing a gay or straight character. He is a funny comedian but not a good actor.
He's won a Tony for Best Actor in leading role. I don't think he's a bad actor but this was a bad role.
You should watch Skam
My experience is ANY movie that has Meryl Streep SINGING… it’s going to be dodgy.
Whether it was Mumma Mia… Into The Woods… super cringe.
Only this time, James Corden eclipsed the cringe levels.
Thank you good blog guys 🌈🌈🌈🌈
Can you guys react to skam france plz
x2
Remove James Corden from this movie and it improves 95%. Straight actors can play gay parts convincingly, if they're good actors. James is not one of those.
Can you please take James Corden back? America has enough issues and we really don't need the extra trauma. He's just the worst.
I could not watch the movie to the end.... horrible.
Are you guys a couple?
Well mabe you could consider that James may actually be gay. I personally know a celebrity that is just as big if not bigger in the UK as James Corden and he is mostly known for playing a very well known gay tv character in the uk and that dude is actually gay but is in the closet in real life. So you may never know