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Films that would not be made now

714 replies

Samcro · 28/12/2024 22:00

I know it’s a topic that has been done before.
but what film do you think would not be made now and why?
mine is, every which way but loose.
yep the Clint Eastwood film with the orangutan

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 29/12/2024 12:05

Jennyathemall · 29/12/2024 09:44

Bambi
The Snowman
Harry Potter

Why?

dayswithaY · 29/12/2024 12:07

Jellycatspyjamas · 29/12/2024 11:19

Maybe it’s the fact that language has changed, but why did I view it so differently when I first watched it?

I think things hold different meaning for us as we grow and gain life experience. I watched Pretty Woman as a teenager and just thought how glamorous - I had no real exposure to prostitution before then. As an adult I absolutely see the harm, because I understand issues of consent and exploitation in a different way.

The same with Grease, as a teenager I thought it was a jolly high school romp, most of the sexual references passed me by. As an adult I wondered what the hell my mum was doing letting me watch it. As a mum I watched it with my DD and we talked about the idea of changing who you are for someone else.

It’s not that the movie changes but as we grow and develop we see things differently.

Agreed. But society has obviously moved on too, presumably script writers and producers were ok with all these problematic themes back in the day. As were all the adults that watched them.

I do remember a few people voicing concerns about Pretty Woman when it first came out, but they were just written off as aggressive feminists - much like the people who complained about Page 3.

I’d love to know what Julia Roberts thinks about it now.

CaptainMyCaptain · 29/12/2024 12:07

Jellycatspyjamas · 29/12/2024 11:19

Maybe it’s the fact that language has changed, but why did I view it so differently when I first watched it?

I think things hold different meaning for us as we grow and gain life experience. I watched Pretty Woman as a teenager and just thought how glamorous - I had no real exposure to prostitution before then. As an adult I absolutely see the harm, because I understand issues of consent and exploitation in a different way.

The same with Grease, as a teenager I thought it was a jolly high school romp, most of the sexual references passed me by. As an adult I wondered what the hell my mum was doing letting me watch it. As a mum I watched it with my DD and we talked about the idea of changing who you are for someone else.

It’s not that the movie changes but as we grow and develop we see things differently.

This is true and also applies to literature. I've read Tess of the d'Urbervilles several times between the ages of 17 and 70 (plus the films) and saw it very differently at different ages.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Nanny0gg · 29/12/2024 12:09

Printedword · 29/12/2024 09:46

They are not in the workplace and not on a trailer showing an inappropriate announcement every advert break.

So what would be used instead?

HardenYourHeart · 29/12/2024 12:09

Jellycatspyjamas · 29/12/2024 11:25

But this love story is not that complex. She is a cheater and he is a bit of a predator. It's more the justification of their actions that I have a problem with. It's all so romanticized.

People romanticise infidelity all the time, in movies and in real life. How many times have you read on here “we have such a good connection, no one has ever made be feel like this” about their affair partner, only to be brought down to earth with a bump. People do justify their actions when they cheat, it’s human nature and I think the movie does a good job of portraying that side of things while the audience sit thinking “what the hell are you doing”.

Movies do a great job of depicting humanity in all its guts and glory, giving insight into lives and ways of being that we haven’t experienced - it would be a shame to loose that because of offence.

Yeah, I have seen the same refrain a lot of this forum too. Typically these people tend to get roasted here and rightfully so.

CompleteOvaryAction · 29/12/2024 12:09

desperatedaysareover · 29/12/2024 11:51

i read the question as ‘what film would not be made now’ meaning, made exactly as it stands, without any changes for modern sensibilities or current audience expectation. ‘What film would not be remade’ is an even better question, you could argue any film, even one which had an exploitative/racist/misogynistic script at the time of writing, could be remade if there was the will to make enough alterations. Imagine GWTW 2025. That would be a tough script to write and remain true to the source but it’d be an interesting job. Would it ever be remade is even more fraught.

The Wedding Singer is deceptively complicated treatment of gender roles and a vivid example of how cinema’s attitude towards and treatment of harassment has changed in the post #MeToo era.

Julia is constantly groped, sexualised and objectified, though pointedly not by Robbie. A lot of the comedy comes from ‘ew aren’t men gross.’ We don’t view men of all ages openly salivating over the youthful female form as comedic now. I also can’t see the Bar Mitzvah scene being written that way now, though at the time it seemed quite even-handed and witty, if hugely unlikely.

Julia’s narrative arc is her wanting to marry Glenn and then deciding on a kinder, more considerate man. Her journey of self-discovery is ‘better to wed for love and compatibility’ than to cling onto what her society regards as a good spouse - rich and successful - at the obvious price of her future happiness.

In the wedding dress/mirror scene she imagines Robbie instead of Glenn. Her internal life seems entirely dominated by the desire to marry.

Julia’s characterisation wouldn’t pass now. Even with the acknowledgment that the 80s were more misogynistic than the 90s, Julia has no real mission other than wishing to be a wife and to be loved - or by being just so adorable that she makes Robbie to want to raise his game in order to be loved by a good (i.e isn’t bothered about his career success) woman.

It actually tackled gender roles by clever use of irony. Robbie ignores horrible advice and his big declaration to her includes the line ‘let me do the dishes.’ That was apparently revolutionary for a man living in the imagined 80s. But I was an adult in the 90s and life wasn’t massively different. I remember dudes talking about the film and the main point of interest was Drew Barrymore’s upper thighs.

It’s a good-hearted film, really funny in parts, but in The Wedding Singer 2024 the jokes would be different and Julia would be too. It’d possibly also feel formulaic, as many films now do, and as a result miss the mark.

I think you're asking too much of a lighthearted comedy.

The poor behaviour of the men groping Julia etc, does nothing but put those men in a bad light - so the film has precisely the same sensibility as we have now.

Julia is obsessed with getting married - as many young women are, then and now. Everyone has always wanted, and still wants, to be loved (hence the success of so many romantic films where men sweep women off their feet, despite what Mumsnet might think of this). To de

I always thought that, for both Robbie and Julia, it was meeting each other that made them see their previous relationships in a clearer light. The characters' naïveté is what makes the film so charming and, from a plot point of view, makes them prey to selfish partners. Through their relationship, they each become wiser and more self-respecting without damage to their pure hearts, which maintains the light and carefree mood of the film.

It's not meant to be gritty realism. The film was designed as a nostalgia-trip for people who were young in the 80s, and I think for that reason, the rose-tinted spectacles way everything is portrayed is entirely appropriate for the film.

KiraNerys1 · 29/12/2024 12:16

JC03745 · 28/12/2024 22:57

Taxi driver and Blue Lagoon- wouldn't be made now with under age actresses!

The dark crystal and NeverEnding Story wouldn't be children's films now! As young kids in the 80's, we watched them over and over, but having seen them again recently- there are some really creepy/scary scenes going on! 😬

They'd be like the soaps on now, where they get 24 year olds to play 15 year olds (Avani EastEnders)

TammyJones · 29/12/2024 12:17

The thing is with 'Pretty Woman'
It was all made up.
In real life these characters would not look like gorgeous Richard Geere or Julia Roberts.
Nor would he fall in love in a week.
Rich , successful businessman marries prostitute?
Unlikely- like my Dad used to say - there's more plot holes than a string vest .....
But I love it.
Went to the cinema ti see it.
Beautiful, romantic and very sexy film..... total fantasy.

Purplebunnie · 29/12/2024 12:18

Longma · 29/12/2024 10:41

Why?

A new televised version of Harry Potter is already in the pipeline and casting is currently taking place.

The snowman is an animated film a bit a a child and a snowman. Why would this be problematic?

Harry Potter
Child neglect/abuse - Dursleys to Harry
Bullying - Luna items hidden around the school, Harry during Goblet of Fire - badges, Snape by James etc there is so much bullying
Racism - house elves, goblins, muggles
Slavery - house elves
I'm sure there is more

I'm not getting the Snowman either

TammyJones · 29/12/2024 12:19

Foxingday · 28/12/2024 23:19

Big. Even when I was young in the Eighties I thought the premise was pretty dodgy.

Yep ... right from the off I thought the same - yuk.

TammyJones · 29/12/2024 12:22

Blinkingbonkers · 28/12/2024 23:23

Gosh, 80% of films pre 1990 would never be made by modern woke standards I reckon. In some ways this is good - I’m thrilled other young girls won’t be influenced by the treatment of women by the earlier Bonds/Indiana Jones etc for example….BUT, the violence that is normalised now is equally, if not significantly, more dangerous in my opinion…

Totally agree.
I refuse to watch a lot of stuff now, just because it's on.
I take it unto my sleep / dreams.
Just keep watching repeats of stuff I know is uplifting.

SerendipityJane · 29/12/2024 12:25

Surprised no one has mentioned.

In the Heat of the Night.

A lot of the films mentioned here as being "not made now" is because we all want to live a whiffle life.

"It's so bloody nice! Felicity 'Treacle' Kendal and Richard 'Sugar-Flavoured Snot' Briers! They're nothing but a couple of reactionary stereotypes, confirming the myth that everyone in Britain is a lovable middle-class eccentric. And I hate them!"

Incidentally, Whilst it never claimed to be a documentary, "Mississippi Burning" is based on a horrifyingly well documented slice of American History. If people start saying you can't make films about events that really happened because they might upset a few modern sensibilities then we are already pulling the blanket of fascism over our faces.

CountTo10 · 29/12/2024 12:26

South Pacific. I know not originally a film but went to see it at the theatre a couple of years ago. The racism, misogyny and CSE!!! There's even a song glorifying CSE 'Younger than Springtime are You' Seriously creepy.

FizzyBisto · 29/12/2024 12:28

TammyJones · 29/12/2024 12:19

Yep ... right from the off I thought the same - yuk.

If we're specifically talking about that one scene in particular, it's grim and exploitative of a child as a whole premise; but in the story, it's also abusive of the older woman, leading her to quite reasonably believe that she's about to have sex with an adult man (albeit a 'fun-loving' inexperienced one), with no inkling that she's about to be basically sexually abusing a child without her knowledge or consent either.

CaptainMyCaptain · 29/12/2024 12:29

FestiveFruitloop · 29/12/2024 11:46

The first thing that springs to mind is a song from a film, rather than a film itself: 'Thank Heaven For Little Girls' by Maurice Chevalier, from Gigi. It's completely innocent in context, but would probably still cause a raised eyebrow in this day and age.

On a similar note, the scene where Shirley Temple sings 'On The Good Ship Lollipop' to a plane full of smiling men in Bright Eyes just feels all wrong nowadays despite there being no actual dodgy content.

Thinking about it, it's actually quite sad how cynical society has been forced to become due to the actions of pervs. 😒

Shirley Temple was badly abused during the making of her films so that makes them unwatchable.

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 29/12/2024 12:33

susieguert · 28/12/2024 23:29

The last time I saw Grease I cringed so hard I nearly turned inside out.

Its ick as hell. Me and my little mates loved it as kids in the 80s, we all thought it was incredible and desperately wanted to be Sandy!

@susieguert · Yesterday 23:29

The last time I saw Grease I cringed so hard I nearly turned inside out.

Why? Confused

CaptainMyCaptain · 29/12/2024 12:33

Purplebunnie · 29/12/2024 12:18

Harry Potter
Child neglect/abuse - Dursleys to Harry
Bullying - Luna items hidden around the school, Harry during Goblet of Fire - badges, Snape by James etc there is so much bullying
Racism - house elves, goblins, muggles
Slavery - house elves
I'm sure there is more

I'm not getting the Snowman either

🙄

It's not glorifying abuse and neglect, it's not saying it's OK. There wouldn't be any literature left if you exclude all those things happening and people rising above them.

I can't imagine what you have against the Snowman.

FuckItItsFine · 29/12/2024 12:35

CaptainMyCaptain · 29/12/2024 12:33

🙄

It's not glorifying abuse and neglect, it's not saying it's OK. There wouldn't be any literature left if you exclude all those things happening and people rising above them.

I can't imagine what you have against the Snowman.

Child going off to the North Pole with a strange (snow) man without his parents’ knowledge, not dressed sensibly for the winter weather 😄 (I jest, of course)

Purplebunnie · 29/12/2024 12:36

CaptainMyCaptain · 29/12/2024 12:33

🙄

It's not glorifying abuse and neglect, it's not saying it's OK. There wouldn't be any literature left if you exclude all those things happening and people rising above them.

I can't imagine what you have against the Snowman.

I'm not getting the Snowman means I'm not getting why there is a problem with the Snowman sheesh

CaptainMyCaptain · 29/12/2024 12:37

Purplebunnie · 29/12/2024 12:36

I'm not getting the Snowman means I'm not getting why there is a problem with the Snowman sheesh

Sorry. I thought you were the poster who first mentioned those films.

TammyJones · 29/12/2024 12:38

@FizzyBisto

Also not a film, but there's no way Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em would ever be made now. The whole premise is around laughing at an utterly 'stupid' man, who, with modern eyes, very much seems that he would be diagnosed with learning difficulties and/or other conditions, and (we would hope) given support rather than be ridiculed.

########

Would Mr Bean be seen in the same way?

westisbest1982 · 29/12/2024 12:38

Has anyone seen a marvellous film from 1998 called Happiness? Even the director says it wouldn’t be filmed now. You can’t stream it anywhere but it’s available on DVD and blu ray.

amp.theguardian.com/culture/2024/sep/16/happiness-todd-solondz-dylan-baker-paedophile-film

Purplebunnie · 29/12/2024 12:40

CaptainMyCaptain · 29/12/2024 12:37

Sorry. I thought you were the poster who first mentioned those films.

Nope not me and I'm still waiting to find out what someone has against the Snowman but they haven't come back - I really can't fathom it

FuckItItsFine · 29/12/2024 12:43

westisbest1982 · 29/12/2024 12:38

Has anyone seen a marvellous film from 1998 called Happiness? Even the director says it wouldn’t be filmed now. You can’t stream it anywhere but it’s available on DVD and blu ray.

amp.theguardian.com/culture/2024/sep/16/happiness-todd-solondz-dylan-baker-paedophile-film

Absolutely brilliant film but one of the most uncomfortable watches ever. Such dark comedy. I stumbled across it on telly one night not knowing what it was about and it was a hell of a wild ride 🫨

SuePine69 · 29/12/2024 12:46

Most people here aren't old enough to remember The Singing Ringing Tree which started as an East German film and appeared on UK TV dubbed into English. A lovely film but it has a teenage princess abducted by a bear. Also has a wicked dwarf.