Thread by @nle318

I might regret for not being able to hold them in any longer, but here are some thoughts on the Licorice Pizza Asian accent scene because both sides are getting out of control, no matter the nature of the arguments presented 🧵 [1/6] #FilmTwitter

Jerry Frick’s behavior is insulting. Not nice. The direction & writing (*hopefully intention as well) depict that *even if it’s faint AF* (or subjected to some manipulation in the now widely shared clip).

BUT this doesn’t mean it’s not problem-free. Focus now. Keep reading.

1st problem: Frick’s stupid act adds NOTHING to the story, or at most negligible. Regardless, it’s just era window-dressing.

So you said “my parents/grans used to speak like that to minorities.” Thx for sharing so proudly (?), still film doesn’t need this to make it feel real.

2nd problem: A simple search keeps showing that many find Frick’s behavior FUNNY at screenings. As in, legitimately LOL, Happy Madison-level funny. That is supposed to be comedic *only* to Frick. At the least we’re supposed to freeze like Alana & Gary, our main povs.

3rd problem: PTA’s blasé response in the IndieWire interview. Even when Eric Kohn had elaborated, all he could say were “don’t know” & veins of “maybe.” Nothing about why it must be included/should be out. Moving on can be wise, but not here.

No, I’m not policing reactions and PTA, but the fact remains the scene does NOT matter to the core of LP/NOT that clever of a world-building detail. I don’t think the film has nasty intentions toward a community in so much hurt right now, but at the same time it’s NOT helping!

TWO MORE: PTA is beloved, but he is not a god, so don’t overstrech as you invalidate the pov saying sth he portrayed was flawed to them. Same with Bayhem. Because his boom-boom antics are brainless doesn’t excuse him from irrelevant xenophobia like so in Transformers LK 👇

Another example I see brought up alongside this LP Asian accent is the train station scene in #TheBatman Too many variables to offer my .2 on why the gang’s target is an Asian man, but you should know: I felt my soul leaving, even if trailers showed Bat will save him #FilmTwitter

EXTRA: As much as the bird app is a hellsite, this discourse included, the WORST place is YouTube. Folks there vote him Licorice Pizza’s best character or give Frick his own film where he can Mr. Yunioshi his way around Japan.

Should I laugh or scream??? #FilmTwitter

Trời ơi then move on! Scroll past! Mute or block me even! You wasting your effort to type will always hurt me more than what you have typed 🙄#FilmTwitter

Shameless plug here, but at the same time sth more positive for this whole discussion: I heard you like original horror films, so here’s one for you to look out for 👇👇👇 #FilmTwitter #WritingCommunity

https://twitter.com/nle318/status/1503896472189820928

🙄🙄🙄 When you ask me this nicely I find more reason to not do it, to be honest. Whooo the people you can find on this bird app…

🚨🚨 ONCE AGAIN: If my take doesn’t align with yours, I especially don’t need you to stop & say that it’s “the dumbest thing I’ve read” or that “I don’t care” etc. in any language. Show me instead you really don’t care by moving on.

My DMs are also NOT open for this. Cám ơn!

NOTE: What I’m NOT saying—“all art should be explained.” What I am—the situation had ballooned, this was the best chance to defuse & the defusing won’t affect your experience of the film/the film overall.

Now that’s clear, please miss me w/ your “Marvel-brained” jabs ✌️

https://twitter.com/nle318/status/1503816111204311041