I'm not a prude or anything. I just don't get how they could make this movie back then. The flak, the conservatives, Falwell, Schlafly, etc. Not to mention the law. The kid is clearly not an 18-year-old playing a 15-year-old. How could they get away with this?
I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.
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I read on the films Wikipedia page, that the film was highly controversial at the time, but it didn't stop people from going to see the film.
I agree with you the movie is really weird to watch, I honestly thought the kid was 12-13, not 15-16. I wasn't born in the 80s, but I have seen a few "coming of age films" and they all had overtly sexual plots. And then there is the double standard of how its not molestation if it is between an older woman and younger male--some guys argue even on this board that was their fantasy. But, really it is molestation of course, but I'm not really sure if directors put that into mind, especially since there was another movie like this with Joan Collins.
I agree - I thought the kid was 13, 14, tops. Not 15. No way 16. And that's what made it weird. How could the parents even consent to that?
But as to your second point, sorry, but there is explicitly a double-standard at work here. EVERY SINGLE GUY in the universe will tell you that it is NOT molestation in this scenario, and that yes, it is/was our fantasy at this age - me included. Although it is hella creepy for the woman in the scenario, unless she's into it.
I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.
I agree. The most cringeworthy movie of all is this black-exploitation movie called "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.
Now, that will give you nightmares, I couldn't finish the movie. In the beginning it shows a little kid who is supposed to be about 6 years old having sex with an older woman who is a prostitute. Creepy. The worst thing about is that the director Melvin Van Peebles cast his son Mario who was 13 at the time to play the part. Mario said he was traumatized by the part, I was traumatized and horrified and it didn't even happen to me, he is on top of a naked lady for Christs sake, it's terrible!! . It is really disgusting and it made mad that a father would allow his kid to be involved in something like that.
Jesus, I probably saw this movie several times in 1981 and was 15 at the time and any kid would've because we weren't this hypersensitive soy boy world like we see now in 2024 where everyone is so offended..
shareI agree, when I saw this on cable I thought it was more shocking than 'Pretty Baby,' but hardly no one remembers this film. They probably only remember Pretty Baby because Brooke Shields is still a celebrity and talks about it from time to time. I don't know what happened to Eric Brown.
shareWe weren't a bunch of uptight assholes looking for something to be offended by back then.
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