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greenie_breizhRandom thoughts on Wedding Wars, and I'm not pretending most of them won't be terribly shallow.
Also, I'm re-watching while specifically capping Sean Maher in this movie, so forgive me if this is unfairly Ted-centered. *g*
- Doesn't that first shirt Ted wears (at the party and then when they're doing the dishes) make him look particular not-buff?
- That first scene where Ben asks Shel to be his wedding planner feels so fake sometimes it hurts. Seriously. Which is why I love that the caps that![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
entwashian did in this entry, because they make it look good. *g*
- Isn't that car like WAY TOO BIG for him? Each time he gets out I'm like omg! so tiny! And Sean's not especially tall, but he's definitely not that short.
- So tacky's like the ultimate insult in the Maine gay community these days? *makes mental note*
- That scene where Ted comes to bring Shel a blanket and a pillow as Shel sleeps? Makes me die with the cute. It's just so adorable the way Ted takes care of him, and that kiss feels really sweet and true, not to mention the way Ted touches Shel's hair right after that.
- OMG THE DOG. Was so happy to see it on the couch with Ted and it only gets better. But why, why, why put Sean in those shorts? Ever?
- I must say I really love that Ted's a state prosecutor - aka not a stereotypically gay job (or else I wasn't told?) - and that he looks so appalled when Shel's first interviewed on TV and the presenter automatically links "gays" with "florists, hair stylists and choreographers". But it's not quite as effective in making a point (that this is one of the most ridiculously stereotypical remark the guy could have made) as having the weatherman and the guy who types for the teleprompter walk out from the set in protest.
- Same line of thought - I like that the whole city's disrupted, though it seems overdone to have so many stores claim "on strike". I'm guessing if this was to happen, most of the time businesses would find themselves under-staffed, but that would just lead to a lot of "closed" signs rather than "on strike". Not that it really matters.
- Awww I love that Ted basically disagrees with what Shel's doing but still he's there to try and comfort him after the appearance on TV. Also, hmmm jeans and shoes in that scene. I really hate the color of Ted's jacket, but I love the cut of it - he looks really good. Less shallow - I really like that Ted's touching Shel so much - it makes sense but it really helps give a sense of how much he cares about him. Look out for the way Sean's hand's on his hip in that scene (exactly like that, actually) - it's all in the stance.
- Bonnie's character is adorable - I love how much she cares for Shel and sides with him. Interesting that it's always the women in the different straight couples (the parental couples + Ben/Maggie) that seems to support the strike - I can't decide if it's a reflection of reality (women are generally more easily okay with homosexuality, imo probably because they're less likely than guys to be labelled as gay themselves for it - and that gay label is no one people wish to be associated with overall), or if it's a glaring gender stereotype.
- Shel is so adorable. Very kid-like, Stamos has stated it in a few interviews / commentaries and he's very right, but it makes him cute - I'm thinking the scene where he's interviewed by that guy in California - the one who wishes Shel didn't have a boyfriend. That pink shirt fits him, too.
- I would love to see more of that photoshoot of John with the "Love is equal" sign. And aw Ted spotting his boyfriend on the cover of the Advocate. Also, I love each time he fails to catch something, his first reaction is to touch his face - scratch his eyebrow here - rather than scramble to pick up that something.
- Heeee there's also marches in Iowa. Sorry, but it rocks that Iowa gets mentioned, because it's so random. *has a happy Bill Bryson thought*
- It makes me ridiculously happy that the sing "we all deserve the freedom to marry" is one of the signs I so frequently saw myself in marches / on TV back in 2003/2004 in Massachusetts.
- Could the Bright campaign ad make you want to kill yourself more? I mean, the kids and the wife look like they're having so much fun.
- I heart the scene between Ted and the dog so bad. "Don't even think about it." *cracks up* Why doesn't that dog have a name? It deserves a super cool name. Sean's smile is too cute, as usual. And awww when he's cuddling the dog in bed the next morning I might have had a cute attack, right there. The way he scratches that dog's belly and how the dog whimpers a bit when Sean gets up? I died, I just died. It even made me completely forget the movie had missed its one opportunity to get Sean topless.
- I want to see a better version of that framed picture of Ted and Shel. It's really cute because it looks real - not too perfect.
- Shallow moment number 234 : it bewilders me it never seems to occurr to the costume people to put Sean in boxer-briefs. Have you seen the man? Yet he ends up sleeping in slacks (Firefly), or boxers (The Dive and Wedding Wars). And I don't want to hear anything about characterization (besides Kilroy would totally wear tight boxers)! :-p
- Ouch being outed at work by way of the press. Also, the look on that co-worker's face as Ted discovers the front page? Says a lot about quiet homophobia.
- Seriously, the way he puts his hand on his hips. I can't pinpoint what it is exactly, it makes my gaydar go insane each time. At the same time it's subtle and I like that. Ah! In the scene where they argue he has his fist on his hips and it's definitely "more straight". It might be the splayed fingers then.
- I think "special friend" might be the worse understatement to refer to someone's lover in 2006.
- Sean, honey. You're already smaller than 90% of Hollywood (what the hell is up with that btw?), do you really have to slouch on top of it?
- I really like that Ted's not on board with any of it - the strike, the marriage, because there are so many gay people out there who would never take that step (go on strike, even support it), because so many people would be freaked to be thrown in the public spotlight like that (especially if they weren't out to the whole world at large which let's face it, few of us are), not to mention the talk of getting married after two and a half years spent together. He's a quieter, but very true, side of this issue.
- At the same time, the beginning that scene where Ted and Shel discuss marriage is very touching - because both their perspectives are understandable. And ah, I kind of want to hear Ted's coming out story, too (to himself and to those around him both).
- And kudos to Shel for turning down civil unions. (And to Maggie for being totally down with it later.)
- Big props to the writer(s) for that scene in prison with the two bikers. Shel - like us - goes with the assumption that because they support him and the strike, they must be gay. It's one of those "good" wrong assumptions - doesn't spring from homophobia in the primary sense of the word, but it's just as offending an assumption. So yeah - love that the bikers get half offended as the assumption and that Shel corrects it. The movie makes a lot of small points like this one that don't matter much in the big picture, but are definitely appreciated.
- How much do I love Maggie and Ted? Seriously, Maggie gets very little focus in the movie, but I love how she interacts with Shel and here Ted, she's just so at ease and so cute. She strikes me as the kind of person I'd almost expect to turn down getting married as long as gay couples can't. Unrelated and shallow, Sean also totally needs to wear a cap more often.
- Awww Shel get back in the car. Don't leave Ted like that. Awww Ted stop being so cute.
- I like the idea that the movie doesn't reach a "definite" conclusion. The whole "we may have lost a battle but we didn't lose the war". And also I really like the "we don't destroy [the institution of marriage], we renovate". I don't know why the conclusion had an "unfinished" feel to it when the idea in itself's not that bad at all and it works so much better than an all-happy ending.
- Notice how really, Ted is always touching Shel, especially by putting a hand on his back. It's cute. *g*
- I'm not even going to comment on the motorcycle thing. *G* ...or on the way he's walking down that lawn with everyone once they're back at the governor's estate.
- Sean and John must have had so much fun filming the dancing together. Hee. And how obvious was it that Ted was going to catch the flowers? Still cute. Anyway, it's already obvious from the look on his face when he's watching TV and Shel admits "defeat" that he's totally going to propose sometime soon. ^^
Can someone tell me what Shel and Ben's dad asks Ted when they're talking the fact he's a lawyer? He goes, "You wouldn't happen to be a..." and I cannot understand what's next for the life of me.
It was really not half as bad as I was afraid it might be. It generally avoided all the obvious stereotypes about gay men, it was good entertainement. The plot is absolutely unrealistic but it has no intention to be - merely makes a point that a country where gays refused to work in protest would find itself in serious chaos. The acting is unequal (more depending on the scene than on the actors, I thought), but a lot of it is very sweet, light and fluffy and definitely likeable. It's not the best movie ever, but it's so very far from the worst.
Like I've said above, what I really liked is that it touched upon a number of very serious issues without trying to dwell on it - the movie doesn't claim being comprehensive, which it couldn't be. It chooses to look at a serious (and heart-breaking, in a number of ways) issue with a light tone and I don't think it fails entirely in that respect. By not trying to be didactic, it might reach a larger audience and might manage to make its central point (gay couples are just as loving and don't deserve any less than their straight counterparts) maybe more effectively than if it'd been more "in your face". Shel is a charming character that people will be amused by but I'm sure also touched by. On the potrayal of characters, actually - even though Ben's a bit one-dimensional at times, he's never vilified for what he thinks or the opinions he expresses, which also works better than a more black/white approach (Ted's character also works in the grey area, and I liked him a lot for that).
One very positive thing is that there's quite a bit of affection for Shel and Shel and Ted that's shown. I really regret there are only two kisses (and just smooches) shared by the two of them throughout the whole movie, but I realized earlier the straight couples don't get to do a whole lot of PDA either. And despite the lack of kissing (even sometimes when it would make sense), Shel and Ted are very clearly affectionate with each other, and maybe in the end that speaks even louder than kisses.
One thing though, it TOTALLY failed to show any lesbian (they get mentions but nothing more), which wouldn't be as problematic if that didn't happen all the time in gay movies. Uh.
And the end of the movie just reminds how far we still have to go on the issue.
Also, I'm re-watching while specifically capping Sean Maher in this movie, so forgive me if this is unfairly Ted-centered. *g*
- Doesn't that first shirt Ted wears (at the party and then when they're doing the dishes) make him look particular not-buff?
- That first scene where Ben asks Shel to be his wedding planner feels so fake sometimes it hurts. Seriously. Which is why I love that the caps that
entwashian did in this entry, because they make it look good. *g*- Isn't that car like WAY TOO BIG for him? Each time he gets out I'm like omg! so tiny! And Sean's not especially tall, but he's definitely not that short.
- So tacky's like the ultimate insult in the Maine gay community these days? *makes mental note*
- That scene where Ted comes to bring Shel a blanket and a pillow as Shel sleeps? Makes me die with the cute. It's just so adorable the way Ted takes care of him, and that kiss feels really sweet and true, not to mention the way Ted touches Shel's hair right after that.
- OMG THE DOG. Was so happy to see it on the couch with Ted and it only gets better. But why, why, why put Sean in those shorts? Ever?
- I must say I really love that Ted's a state prosecutor - aka not a stereotypically gay job (or else I wasn't told?) - and that he looks so appalled when Shel's first interviewed on TV and the presenter automatically links "gays" with "florists, hair stylists and choreographers". But it's not quite as effective in making a point (that this is one of the most ridiculously stereotypical remark the guy could have made) as having the weatherman and the guy who types for the teleprompter walk out from the set in protest.
- Same line of thought - I like that the whole city's disrupted, though it seems overdone to have so many stores claim "on strike". I'm guessing if this was to happen, most of the time businesses would find themselves under-staffed, but that would just lead to a lot of "closed" signs rather than "on strike". Not that it really matters.
- Awww I love that Ted basically disagrees with what Shel's doing but still he's there to try and comfort him after the appearance on TV. Also, hmmm jeans and shoes in that scene. I really hate the color of Ted's jacket, but I love the cut of it - he looks really good. Less shallow - I really like that Ted's touching Shel so much - it makes sense but it really helps give a sense of how much he cares about him. Look out for the way Sean's hand's on his hip in that scene (exactly like that, actually) - it's all in the stance.
- Bonnie's character is adorable - I love how much she cares for Shel and sides with him. Interesting that it's always the women in the different straight couples (the parental couples + Ben/Maggie) that seems to support the strike - I can't decide if it's a reflection of reality (women are generally more easily okay with homosexuality, imo probably because they're less likely than guys to be labelled as gay themselves for it - and that gay label is no one people wish to be associated with overall), or if it's a glaring gender stereotype.
- Shel is so adorable. Very kid-like, Stamos has stated it in a few interviews / commentaries and he's very right, but it makes him cute - I'm thinking the scene where he's interviewed by that guy in California - the one who wishes Shel didn't have a boyfriend. That pink shirt fits him, too.
- I would love to see more of that photoshoot of John with the "Love is equal" sign. And aw Ted spotting his boyfriend on the cover of the Advocate. Also, I love each time he fails to catch something, his first reaction is to touch his face - scratch his eyebrow here - rather than scramble to pick up that something.
- Heeee there's also marches in Iowa. Sorry, but it rocks that Iowa gets mentioned, because it's so random. *has a happy Bill Bryson thought*
- It makes me ridiculously happy that the sing "we all deserve the freedom to marry" is one of the signs I so frequently saw myself in marches / on TV back in 2003/2004 in Massachusetts.
- Could the Bright campaign ad make you want to kill yourself more? I mean, the kids and the wife look like they're having so much fun.
- I heart the scene between Ted and the dog so bad. "Don't even think about it." *cracks up* Why doesn't that dog have a name? It deserves a super cool name. Sean's smile is too cute, as usual. And awww when he's cuddling the dog in bed the next morning I might have had a cute attack, right there. The way he scratches that dog's belly and how the dog whimpers a bit when Sean gets up? I died, I just died. It even made me completely forget the movie had missed its one opportunity to get Sean topless.
- I want to see a better version of that framed picture of Ted and Shel. It's really cute because it looks real - not too perfect.
- Shallow moment number 234 : it bewilders me it never seems to occurr to the costume people to put Sean in boxer-briefs. Have you seen the man? Yet he ends up sleeping in slacks (Firefly), or boxers (The Dive and Wedding Wars). And I don't want to hear anything about characterization (besides Kilroy would totally wear tight boxers)! :-p
- Ouch being outed at work by way of the press. Also, the look on that co-worker's face as Ted discovers the front page? Says a lot about quiet homophobia.
- Seriously, the way he puts his hand on his hips. I can't pinpoint what it is exactly, it makes my gaydar go insane each time. At the same time it's subtle and I like that. Ah! In the scene where they argue he has his fist on his hips and it's definitely "more straight". It might be the splayed fingers then.
- I think "special friend" might be the worse understatement to refer to someone's lover in 2006.
- Sean, honey. You're already smaller than 90% of Hollywood (what the hell is up with that btw?), do you really have to slouch on top of it?
- I really like that Ted's not on board with any of it - the strike, the marriage, because there are so many gay people out there who would never take that step (go on strike, even support it), because so many people would be freaked to be thrown in the public spotlight like that (especially if they weren't out to the whole world at large which let's face it, few of us are), not to mention the talk of getting married after two and a half years spent together. He's a quieter, but very true, side of this issue.
- At the same time, the beginning that scene where Ted and Shel discuss marriage is very touching - because both their perspectives are understandable. And ah, I kind of want to hear Ted's coming out story, too (to himself and to those around him both).
- And kudos to Shel for turning down civil unions. (And to Maggie for being totally down with it later.)
- Big props to the writer(s) for that scene in prison with the two bikers. Shel - like us - goes with the assumption that because they support him and the strike, they must be gay. It's one of those "good" wrong assumptions - doesn't spring from homophobia in the primary sense of the word, but it's just as offending an assumption. So yeah - love that the bikers get half offended as the assumption and that Shel corrects it. The movie makes a lot of small points like this one that don't matter much in the big picture, but are definitely appreciated.
- How much do I love Maggie and Ted? Seriously, Maggie gets very little focus in the movie, but I love how she interacts with Shel and here Ted, she's just so at ease and so cute. She strikes me as the kind of person I'd almost expect to turn down getting married as long as gay couples can't. Unrelated and shallow, Sean also totally needs to wear a cap more often.
- Awww Shel get back in the car. Don't leave Ted like that. Awww Ted stop being so cute.
- I like the idea that the movie doesn't reach a "definite" conclusion. The whole "we may have lost a battle but we didn't lose the war". And also I really like the "we don't destroy [the institution of marriage], we renovate". I don't know why the conclusion had an "unfinished" feel to it when the idea in itself's not that bad at all and it works so much better than an all-happy ending.
- Notice how really, Ted is always touching Shel, especially by putting a hand on his back. It's cute. *g*
- I'm not even going to comment on the motorcycle thing. *G* ...or on the way he's walking down that lawn with everyone once they're back at the governor's estate.
- Sean and John must have had so much fun filming the dancing together. Hee. And how obvious was it that Ted was going to catch the flowers? Still cute. Anyway, it's already obvious from the look on his face when he's watching TV and Shel admits "defeat" that he's totally going to propose sometime soon. ^^
Can someone tell me what Shel and Ben's dad asks Ted when they're talking the fact he's a lawyer? He goes, "You wouldn't happen to be a..." and I cannot understand what's next for the life of me.
It was really not half as bad as I was afraid it might be. It generally avoided all the obvious stereotypes about gay men, it was good entertainement. The plot is absolutely unrealistic but it has no intention to be - merely makes a point that a country where gays refused to work in protest would find itself in serious chaos. The acting is unequal (more depending on the scene than on the actors, I thought), but a lot of it is very sweet, light and fluffy and definitely likeable. It's not the best movie ever, but it's so very far from the worst.
Like I've said above, what I really liked is that it touched upon a number of very serious issues without trying to dwell on it - the movie doesn't claim being comprehensive, which it couldn't be. It chooses to look at a serious (and heart-breaking, in a number of ways) issue with a light tone and I don't think it fails entirely in that respect. By not trying to be didactic, it might reach a larger audience and might manage to make its central point (gay couples are just as loving and don't deserve any less than their straight counterparts) maybe more effectively than if it'd been more "in your face". Shel is a charming character that people will be amused by but I'm sure also touched by. On the potrayal of characters, actually - even though Ben's a bit one-dimensional at times, he's never vilified for what he thinks or the opinions he expresses, which also works better than a more black/white approach (Ted's character also works in the grey area, and I liked him a lot for that).
One very positive thing is that there's quite a bit of affection for Shel and Shel and Ted that's shown. I really regret there are only two kisses (and just smooches) shared by the two of them throughout the whole movie, but I realized earlier the straight couples don't get to do a whole lot of PDA either. And despite the lack of kissing (even sometimes when it would make sense), Shel and Ted are very clearly affectionate with each other, and maybe in the end that speaks even louder than kisses.
One thing though, it TOTALLY failed to show any lesbian (they get mentions but nothing more), which wouldn't be as problematic if that didn't happen all the time in gay movies. Uh.
And the end of the movie just reminds how far we still have to go on the issue.
