The DU Lounge
In reply to the discussion: movies you'll watch over and over [View all]Collimator
(1,639 posts)And 300. Just mentioned this movie on another thread about celebrity crushes.
Amber Ruffin, whom I love and normally agree with, conjectured that The 13th Warrior failed in part because Antonio Banderas, a non-Muslim, played one in the movie.
Amber--just no. Representation is critical, of course. And faking out a person's race when there are actors with the appropriate look available to play the part is wrong. (I remember listening to George Takei's description of a white actor done up in what he described as "almost reptilian make-up" to play an Asian character and I felt his pain.)
But religion is a choice and Muslims come in all colors. Yes, Banderas played a Muslim--well, he's Spanish, and the Moorish empire had a lengthy and significant impact on that country. Who knows what is in his genetic history?
Ian Charleson played Eric Liddell, a committed, principled Christian missionary in the movie, Chariots of Fire. Later on, he supposedly died from what was called AIDS at the time. To many, that meant the guy was gay. (I honestly don't know or care if he was.) My born-again Christian ex-hubby was so bewildered. How could the man have played such a convincing Christian if he were gay? My husband acted like he had just learned the truth about Santa Claus.
There are times and situations where casting should be limited to those with an organic, authentic tie to the character and there are times when it should not be an issue.
Anyway, I should come down off the soapbox and get with the spirit of play. Not well-known movies that I am happy to enjoy include Adventures in Babysitting and Waitress.
Bonus points for pontificating. Vincent D' Onofrio, an Italian-American actor, played a Mighty Thor (Norse God) lookalike in Adventures in Babysitting.