Why was everyone so ... SWEATY? - A Time to Kill (1996) Discussion

[–] barrin21 11 years ago

Ever been in the deep south during summer?

If I can't smoke and swear I'm *beep*

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[–] boxerrebellion 9 years ago

EXACTLY! Most of those old houses that we saw were built LONG before a/c; and even getting wiring for a ceiling fan. Besides, I think with some Southerners it's a matter of pride to tough it out. There is a line in the book To Kill A Mockingbird to the effect that by afternoon the women had bathed and powdered so often that they were like teacakes (the implication being that the powdering had the effect powdered sugar does on a moist cake).

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[–] tennismom 9 years ago

There is a line in the book To Kill A Mockingbird to the effect that by afternoon the women had bathed and powdered so often that they were like teacakes

For heaven's sake, To Kill A Mockingbird was set in 1936. Of course there was no air conditioning.

The movie we are discussing takes place in the mid 1980's. All municipal and public buildings and most private residences in Mississippi at that time would have had A/C. It's not even a question that should be asked.

The filmmakers did it for ridiculous (and distracting) dramatic effect.

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[–] Ldlamb (639) 4 years ago

I went to HS in the 80s in the south and we didn’t have air conditioning.

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[–] cara-stone 9 years ago

Because it's freaking hot in the summer time in the south.

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[–] lmtopeka-1 9 years ago

I live in south Texas about 3 blocks from the Gulf and it's as hot and humid as anywhere and people don't walk around looking moist and glistening all the time. When you live in the south your body gets used to the heat and humidity and you don't just sweat non-stop standing on your patio.

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[–] boxerrebellion 9 years ago

Not according to many Southern writers. Also, in July & August parts of the mid-west are downright swampy feeling; people there sweat. Okinawans (literally a jungle island) and Puerto Ricans sweat.

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[–] lmtopeka-1 9 years ago

Of course people sweat but you don't glisten with sweat all the time especially in the last 50 years with AC. I don't care what writers say where I live it's 90 plus degrees and over 80% humidity 6 months of the year and people don't sweat anything like they do in this movie.

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[–] TVippy 9 years ago

Exactly right!!

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I own you.https://goo.gl/0avZjB

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[–] cara-stone 9 years ago

If you're that easily distracted, you may want to get evaluated for adhd.

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[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] joflo11 9 years ago

Yes, it is hot in the south in the summer. But they have AC. You wouldn't be dripping with sweat while sitting in your house, office or court room.

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[–] tennismom 9 years ago

You wouldn't be dripping with sweat while sitting in your house, office or court room.

Not to mention they were even sweating in the hospital. Completely and totally unrealistic, obviously hospitals in Mississippi are climate controlled.

I lived in south Texas for seven years, and EVERY building and residence had A/C. Every. Single. One. In fact, many folks would carry around sweaters during the summer because every air conditioned building was set at meat locker temperature, and you'd freeze without sleeves.

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[–] nammage 8 years ago

ÀC is a luxury that many Southerners cannot afford. Usually, they keep their AC's off during the summer but during winter turn their heaters on. Most Southerners can take the heat but can't stand stand cold weather. In Mississippi, the Per capita personal income as of 2015 was $34,771, and ranked last in the nation. In 1996 it wasn't even $21,000. If this film actually takes place in 1984 it was $7,900.

-Nam

I am on the road less traveled...

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[–] Bullish_Captain 8 years ago

If you're that easily distracted, you may want to get evaluated for adhd.

I literally just laughed out loud.

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[–] interestedparty2013 9 years ago

Agreed. It was distracting....no one in the entire town had AC.

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[–] HollyweirdAndVine 9 years ago

In every scene, Ashley Judd looks like she was dipped in corn oil.

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[–] Chaseterrier 9 years ago

When was this story suppose to take place and how well was the air conditioning technology work back than?

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[–] tennismom 9 years ago

When was this story suppose to take place and how well was the air conditioning technology work back than?

The story took place in the mid-1980's. Obviously there was modern climate control technology available.

We aren't talking about the 1880's. *eyeroll*

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[–] baran_erik 9 years ago

It's Mississippi in the summer. Enough said.

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[–] HollyweirdAndVine 9 years ago

I lived in Mobile, Alabama for 12 years. We have air conditioning! Southern girls always have hairspray in their purse and powder for the shine to beat the humidity. No-one would be caught dead lookin' like they were dipped in oil. Silly Hollywood!

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[–] wesperkins 8 years ago

I've lived in the South my entire life and yes it's hot but damn, we aren't that back asswards where we don't have and use AC. I don't know one person without air conditioning. Yes we sweat outside, but not inside and not all the time. It's an attempt by the movie to portray the characters as sexy and to also show the South as backwards. This part of the movie has always bothered me. Just so everyone knows, we have and use AC down here, and we don't like to sweat. ESP while we are inside.

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