In fact, you seem to be saying that the film deliberately makes the natives "voiceless" in order to put the audience in the main characters' shoes
I think if it weren't for the problematic depiction of cannibalism, this wouldn't be an issue. There are many films where English speakers are pitted against others speaking in foreign languages - and we (the English-speaking audience) is in the same position as the characters. Just as I don't know every language, I don't expect movie characters do so either. Sometimes what the foreign-language speakers are saying is important (ie. misunderstandings are a rich source of humour), sometimes it's about setting a mood. This set a comic mood in POTC2.
like writing engaging characters that people want to identify with, rather than making it impossible to identify with anyone else.
This is a very good point. On reflection, much of this film gets away with being bloated, excessive and long because we are there to see Johnny Depp (and some of the audience for Orlando and Keira). Everything else is jeopardy and window-dressing. It's a major problem with Summer Blockbusters, you're right.
There are no island tribes of cannibals.
And for the second time in this thread... *headdesk* I mean, the mere notion is ridiculous :-)
Your knowledge of cannibalism outdoes mine, so I concede where the depiction is troubling.
If the film were actually a period piece,
My only point here was this distances it from a modern reality. Just as the fantastical aspects also go a long way to saving the film from any burden of accuracy, IMHO. Comedy also saves it, in some respects. But you certainly make a good point about minstrel shows.
To be honest, the film takes so long to get going, the cannibal island part of the film is definitely the weakest. Perhaps because it plays on a stereotype we've long been fed by Hollywood - as you say elsewhere, of the missionary in a pot.
It is not until she chains Jack to the Black Pearl that she truly becomes immoral.
Which is one of the themes of the movie. And immorality in a character doesn't diminish my enjoyment of them.
I do agree that films like "Gladiator" are just as historically problematic and probably more misleading - although I'm not sure that they are as offensive as portraying Carribean islanders as clownish cannibals.
I suppose you're right. I'm not offended by Gladiator so much as frustrated by the idea that the filmmakers plead historical accuracy when so much of it was fictionalised. Or faked. Or completely made up.
I think my main sticking point here is my own ignorance (which this thread had cleared up) and my belief that people mostly won't take this film seriously. It might be a foolish hope.
no subject
I think if it weren't for the problematic depiction of cannibalism, this wouldn't be an issue. There are many films where English speakers are pitted against others speaking in foreign languages - and we (the English-speaking audience) is in the same position as the characters. Just as I don't know every language, I don't expect movie characters do so either. Sometimes what the foreign-language speakers are saying is important (ie. misunderstandings are a rich source of humour), sometimes it's about setting a mood. This set a comic mood in POTC2.
like writing engaging characters that people want to identify with, rather than making it impossible to identify with anyone else.
This is a very good point. On reflection, much of this film gets away with being bloated, excessive and long because we are there to see Johnny Depp (and some of the audience for Orlando and Keira). Everything else is jeopardy and window-dressing. It's a major problem with Summer Blockbusters, you're right.
There are no island tribes of cannibals.
And for the second time in this thread... *headdesk* I mean, the mere notion is ridiculous :-)
Your knowledge of cannibalism outdoes mine, so I concede where the depiction is troubling.
If the film were actually a period piece,
My only point here was this distances it from a modern reality. Just as the fantastical aspects also go a long way to saving the film from any burden of accuracy, IMHO. Comedy also saves it, in some respects. But you certainly make a good point about minstrel shows.
To be honest, the film takes so long to get going, the cannibal island part of the film is definitely the weakest. Perhaps because it plays on a stereotype we've long been fed by Hollywood - as you say elsewhere, of the missionary in a pot.
It is not until she chains Jack to the Black Pearl that she truly becomes immoral.
Which is one of the themes of the movie. And immorality in a character doesn't diminish my enjoyment of them.
I do agree that films like "Gladiator" are just as historically problematic and probably more misleading - although I'm not sure that they are as offensive as portraying Carribean islanders as clownish cannibals.
I suppose you're right. I'm not offended by Gladiator so much as frustrated by the idea that the filmmakers plead historical accuracy when so much of it was fictionalised. Or faked. Or completely made up.
I think my main sticking point here is my own ignorance (which this thread had cleared up) and my belief that people mostly won't take this film seriously. It might be a foolish hope.