Semi-random rambling...

[calic0cat]

Went to see "Must Love Dogs" at the movies last night, and I have to say that it was, for the most part, distinctly non-memorable. Most of the best moments involving the relationship between the lead characters were in the previews, so I'd already seen them before I even saw the movie. The most memorable and interesting part of the movie was probably the background relationship between Leo (a close friend and co-worker of the female lead - whose name I've forgotten, which says rather a lot about the movie right there...) and his life-partner, Eric. Neither got a lot of screen time, but there was just enough info and screen time to make me wish they'd had more. Leo talked about celebrating their seventh anniversary, and various other little tidbits about their relationship slipped in along the way - like the fact that they met at Leo's house when his parents were trying to set Eric up with Leo's sister, and that they were suffering through annoyingly frequent visits by Eric's parents, for example. Considering that Leo and Eric had one of the very few stable, happy relationships in the film, I was impressed by the positive portrayal of a gay relationship in a major motion picture.

To go off on an apparently-unrelated tangent, I came across an interesting post over on jackslashdaniel. It's too late for me to run off and make a supportive phone call tonight, but I intend to do so tomorrow. I might even go to the trouble of sending a written letter, since I know some corporations give more weight to those when evaluating public opinion. For those who like to know what they're linking through to before they click, the post talks about a negative-feedback campaign by the AFA (American Family Association) that's directed at Johnson & Johnson due to a very neat ad for Tylenol PM that was printed in a gay magazine, The Advocate, and their advertising on the gay TV network, Logo. There's a copy of the ad (which is very tasteful and kind of cute, actually), and a link to more details on the AFA's campaign along with details on how to help counteract it by calling in support of J&J's advertising. I'd suggest that anyone who'd like to see companies get a more balanced view of public opinion than those generated by homophobic campaigns such as this one by the AFA should make the effort to call, write, or email J&J in support of their advertising. I'm definitely going to do so.

This leads me in a round-about way back to "Must Love Dogs". Keeping in mind that the studio will probably take a certain amount of flack for their positive portrayal of a stable, lasting gay relationship in a movie full of heterosexual lying, cheating, and divorce, I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to send them a few words of support too... I think it was distributed by Warner; guess I need to go visit the IMDB and find out for sure...

Comments

[sharona1x2.livejournal.com]

That's a really cool idea to send feedback to the movie studio. I'm sure they'll appreciate knowing that you support what they did.

[calic0cat.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't have thought of it ordinarily, but the J&J ad made me think of it. People are always so willing to be anti-something, but a disproportionately small number of people are wiling to go out of their way to be pro-something. Guess it's time that started to change.

[sunhawk16.livejournal.com]

I'd read several reviews of that movie that said it was less than interesting. ^^;
That ad is funny... I'd love to know the history behind it, because you know J&J KNEW they were courting an attack. O.o

[calic0cat.livejournal.com]

The movie really was a disappointment. The previews made it look like the dogs played a fairly major role, but they didn't. And the chemistry between the two lead characters wasn't exactly great either.

As for the ad - yeah, J&J really went out on a limb with that one. Yes, it was intended for publication in an appropriate venue, but they *could* have used a very generic ad, and chose not to. They took a real risk with it, a risk that I think deserves some support from the non-homophobic folks out there.

[sunhawk16.livejournal.com]

Of course, I suppose the ultimate support is go buy the products! :P

[rude02.livejournal.com]

Good to know about that movie. Will skip it when it get's here.


PS note:
hmmm... interesting. Can I spork & spam the AFA?
First time I ever heard of the Jack & Daniel slash... unbelievable! just last night I was thinking there could be some in SG1. Can you say dejavu? boy o boy o boy.... ^^

[calic0cat.livejournal.com]

Definitely a movie that's not worth the full ticket price, at any rate. Maybe worth watching if you can borrow it from your local library for free once it comes out on video/DVD, though...

Can I spork & spam the AFA?

Sounds like a good plan to me.

First time I ever heard of the Jack & Daniel slash... unbelievable! just last night I was thinking there could be some in SG1.

*snicker* Oh, there's definitely plenty of SG1 slash. Let me know if you want a few links to explore; there's definitely plenty out there.

[rude02.livejournal.com]

thank u! appreciate it
hmmmm... those 2 intrigue me.

[leorising1959.livejournal.com]

I just made the call to J&J. The rep was really nice and took my comments down. I made a point to note that I am NOT gay, I think that may make a difference to those who read the comments.

Okay, I'm sexually omnivorous actually, but I don't identify as gay. Y'know, like belong to the "gay community" or anything. I like men mostly, but who I love is who I love...y'know, I really hate all these silly verbal pigeonholes for something that is basically a continuum...

*shuts up now*

[calic0cat.livejournal.com]

I think you're right that it may make a difference if they know that the ad campaign has support from those other than its "target audience". It seems like J&J has extremely nice reps answering the phone; a lot of people have commented that the person they spoke with was extremely pleasant.