So, who do you think inserted this, John or Peter?
Or does anybody know for sure by reading something I haven't? It's an uncomfortable racist moment that is simultaneously repellant and humorous, and is so totally Nick.
Why do you think it's racist? He had invited both black and white co-workers in his house for a meal. What else did you want him to do?
"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"
But that was/is used as a racial slur for black people. I don't know if people even say it that much anymore though. I thought the same thing when I was watching it too.
shareIt's hard to know for sure, of course, but I'd say a guy of Nick's time and place would probably call his friends or co-workers something like that...'monkeys' or 'palookas', 'boneheads' or some other humorously derisive nickname. I'd like to think, at least, that Cassevetes didn't mean it as a racist slur.
shareI would assume this was in Cassavetes script as it is so specific to Nick's character. Of course it's racist, but it's that deep rooted unintentional racism that so many people, especially men, had in the 70s (and still do today for that matter). Nick doesn't necessarily know he's making a racial slur, that's just a term he's heard used before (much like baffoon or what have you) and he likely associates it with black men, though he might not know why. So I agree, a brilliant humorous/uncomfortable/repellent moment.
shareIt is a racist remark that I feel would offend no one in that group of friends. Goes with the territory.
And you can do something racist without being inherently racist.
That and the other comment about the Mexican-Indian ruined Nick for me. Fuck that racist asshole.
share