I was having one of the best viewing experiences I’ve had in a while with Graham Moore’s directorial debut, and then the character of LaFontaine appeared on screen.
I’m one of those curmudgeon viewers who’s as of late been disappointed by the direction that many writers and producers have gone with their creative efforts. I’m not against representation or the “giving voice to the voiceless” in media. But I feel it has to make sense in the context of whatever story’s being told.
My reaction to seeing a black, female mafioso in an otherwise picture-perfect period piece either makes me a misogynistic racist or a disappointed dramatist. Or both? I’d like to think I’m not all that bad, but what do I know? And Moore tried to make this character make some kind of sense with a monologue, but I know a little too much about that era of Chicago to take it seriously.
For the love of storytelling, writers: give your marginalized characters their own unique narratives and stop shoehorning them into your otherwise excellent films, video games, and books. That’s the real work that a talented author won’t shy away from. And if you can’t, or don’t feel it’s your place to tell certain stories, then I beg you: don’t try to tell them. It’s that simple.
Anyway, The Outfit is great. Watch it and decide for yourself if I’m just a grumpy old meanie or not.
2024.12.11
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