Knocked Up: Viewer Feedback
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007I got this email the other day from an HJ reader (I’ve used their initials instead of their name):
Hi Andy
My wife and I went to see the movie “Knocked Up” based mostly on your review in the Friday Cache section. We left after the scene in which Alison tells Ben that she is pregnant because we we’re overwhelmed by the volume of profanity, particularly the infamous F word. The profanity destroyed, for us at least, the comedy. It was truly dominant.
We are old Hippies, college-educated, secular and mostly liberal, and far from prudes. Even as an infantryman during the Vietnam war, I seldom encountered this level of profanity. I understand the nature of R-rated films and accept them as such. However, when profanity or vulgarity so dominates the story line, especially comedy, whats the point?
JW
The writer of this makes a good point. There are quite a few f-words in this film, in fact, their are 117. Most R rated films hover around 25 to 60, depending on the film. Notable exceptions are “The Big Lebowski,” “Good Will Hunting” and pretty much any film by Martin Scorsese, including “The Departed,” which had 230+. My advice is to check the movie out on www.screenit.com or www.kids-in-mind.com before blindly heading into the theater.
In terms of vulgarity taking away from the movie, I don’t think it did. In fact, I think it added an honesty that most films find difficult to obtain. “Knocked Up” isn’t full of swearing to amuse or get laughs; it’s full of swearing because that is how people talk today. What was once taboo is now, for the most part, accepted. I’m not saying that is right or wrong, but I am saying it is an accurate reflection of society.
What say ye?