Where the "Hick" Is

Last week, Where the Heart Is happened to be on TV and I decided to revisit this embarrassingly guilty pleasure. For those of you who don't know, this 2000 film takes place in the American south: first Tennessee and eventually Oklahoma, where the majority of the action is occurs. Based on the popular 1995 novel by Bellie Letts, screenplay writer Lowell Ganz and director Matt Williams inappropriately take advantage of the southern location and depend on the exploitation of the southern hick stereotype for the majority of the entertainment in this film.

Every native southerner in this film is the exact definition of a stupid and low-class hick. And everyone who has a brain in this film has a standard American accent and is NOT from the south. For example, main character Novalee (Natalie Portman) finds herself in the town library researching on how to take care of a plant because she was obviously too stupid to keep it alive. The frazzled librarian Forney (James Frain) becomes frustrated when he realized Novalee does not know what an index is and could barely read above a first grade level. In less than 30 seconds, Forney multitasks by helping Novalee sound out words, shows her the index, while responding to the demands of his sick sister. When Novalee inquires about Forney to a town native, he tells her that Forney is from Main and was going to a very prestigious college before he dropped out and came to Oklahoma to take care of his sick sister. This person literally says that Forney is too smart for this town and figures that he will leave as soon as his sister dies to finish college and pursue a more challenging career. This disparity between educated northerners and slow southerners is one of many examples of how filmakers stereotype southerners. Another example is in a scene with actress Joan Cusack who plays the blunt music agent Ruth Meyers. Character Willy Jack Pickens (Dylan Bruno), the father of Novalee's child, pursues a music career after he ditches Novalee. When he encounters Ruth Meyers (another non-southerner) and tells her his name is Willy Jack Pickens, she says "I bet you didn't even have to make that up, did you?" (IMBD.com). This response implies that he is the epitome of a stupid hick because he even has the perfect stereotypical hick name to go with his lack of brain cells. In fact, every hick character in this film as a hick name: Novalee Nation, Lexie Coop (Ashley Judd), Thelma 'Sister' Husband (Stockard Channing), Mama Lil' (Sally Field), and Americus Nation (Mackenzie Fitzgerald).

The Filthy Critic, who gives us the impression that he is a Southerner, writes his angry and uncensored critique of this film on his website. Entertainment Weekly film critic Own Gleiberman mentions in his review of this film that this is just another movie about "poor white...southern characters". See for yourself the results of using a stereotype for the entertainment of an unsuspecting target audience.

Phone Dependency

For my final project in Arts 50, I decided to focus on American's obsession with cell phones.

This project caused me to become very aware of everyone's individual cell phones use.

We are not merely obsessed anymore. We are dependent.

I have admitted that I am dependent myself.

Think of it this way:

1. When you see a movie or a play, what is the FIRST thing you do after its finished? After applauding...

2. When you wake up in morning, what wakes you up? Not an alarm clock...

3. When a conversation gets awkward- what do you do? You don't put more effort into the conversation...

4. Are you even really reading my blog? I don't think so...

Think about how many times you have looked at your phone today to make sure you haven't missed a text or call

Facebook Loser

My facebook profile makes me simply look like a loser. Most of my pictures are from my freshman and sophomore year of college. And people rarely write on my wall.

But that is because I am not an active "facebooker."

Here are the things that make you a legit "facebooker":

1. New, uploaded pictures of everywhere you go and every time you hang out with someone
2. Commenting "funny" things on peoples wall and returning the favor when someone writes on your wall
3. Constantly updating your status
4. Adding everyone you meet. Not KNOW. Just MEET.

If you have all the above... you are a legit "facebooker". And you look like you have friends.

Buying Image

I have a friend who buys the finest liquors to stock his apartment, yet he doesn't drink them. He bought an Armani suit, yet he can't find the occasion to wear it. He bought a 10 foot beer pong table for a part he never threw. And he buys dinner for "friends" he doesn't really care for. I asked him why he buys these things. I said "so you have a taste for fine whiskey? I can't tolerate the stuff." He replied "No, not particularly-- but this is what CEOs drink."

I have been fascinated with my friend with my friend for the past few years. We have always had a good rapport, but I've realized that this is all have. My friend is a good conversationalist only because his talent is maintaining an impeccable public image. Why else would he buy expensive items he doesn't use? Each item he buys carefully crafts his public self, piece by piece. I'd love to hate him for this. How could you be friends with someone so phony, someone without a real personality. Then I spoke to him about how I felt, and I discovered that he is as conscious of his public self as I am critical of it. My friend cannot be blamed for what he does, nor should he be demonized for it. He purchases things in order to achieve a certain image. This idea isn't foreign or weird, it's distinctly American: it's consumerism in a nutshell. We live in a time and place where advertisements for Keep do not sell the automobiel-- they sell adventure. Advertisements for Rolex don't sell watches-- they sell status. Though I've always turned the commercials on mute when I watch television, who could blame anyone for buying into such an attractive fantasy.

My Love Affair with TV

Ever since I can remember, I have always looked forward to my favorite TV shows every week. I am a big fan of the tube- especially for my generation who prefer the computer. TV has always been considered a negative and almost lazy activity. I can understand people's negative point of view: it requires little brain activity, sitting, and you can only watch what is presented.

I don't think TV deserves such a negative reputation. I have actually learned a lot through television. Even shows like "The Simpsons" have taught me history and current events in a satirical manner. On occasion, "The Simpsons" has engaged and taught me more than any history class. And other shows like "Planet Earth" were mostly made to educate the public in an engaging manner.

Most importantly, TV allows me to relax! I have the best naps by the TV. It really reminds me that life could be worse (48 Hours, Intervention), funny (The Office), or just plain ridiculous (I Love New York).

Kind of Voting

So today is election day. I voted with an absentee ballot. I had the HARDEST time picking a president. I think I am more on the liberal side but I have a hard time sticking with one party. Hell- I voted for Bush last election (shhh). However, for this election, I had the WORST time favoring one candidate over the other.

I consulted my mother with my problem. She told me to flip a coin. I consulted my friends and they of course said to vote for Obama. I came to the conclusion that the best decision would be to not vote for a presidential candidate. And I didn't- I left it blank! Don't get me wrong, I voted. I just voted for all of the propositions. People leave propositions and random city officials blank all the time when they aren't fully informed about the area- so how is this any different? However, I received some very negative responses when I addmited my action today. For example:

"You're SO stupid!"

"How could you not voice your opinion?! It's your right!"

"Voting for the president is the best part of the whole election! How could you miss that?!"

"Your'e weird."

NOW I know why people keep their political opinions to themselves. I think I got a worse reaction for saying I didn't vote for a president than if I had told all of my democratic friends I voted for McCain.

I find that not voting was the most mature thing I could have done! It is a lot more mature than flipping a coin or just voting for the candidate all of my friends are voting for. And it's MY RIGHT not to vote for president. Plus, there's always the next election...

Oh and I guess Obama was just pronounced the president elect. Congrats

Changing the World...

Since I am graduating this June, I have been thinking a lot about what kind of job I would want to do. As a drama major and digital arts minor, I obviously love all forms of art. However, I have been having this overwhelming feeling that perhaps there are "more important things" I should do in my life. Don't get me wrong, art is VERY important and necessary in this world. But I think some things in MY life may require more attention.

I am talking about my younger brother . He is 20 years old and severely Autistic. Although I hear that Autism is receiving more attention than it has in the past, I feel that I need to help my brother now. This is because any new amazing finding or "cure" would not benefit him or anyone else with the disability.

Ever since i can remember, just about anyone finds the mentally disabled amusing (in a negative manner). I have even witnessed my peers (who have WORKED with disabled children) turn around and make fun of anyone who is mentally "retarded". By the way, that is my least favorite word. People throw it around so frequently that I sometimes don't even notice it anymore. Even a few of my bosses and teachers have not only used this word in a joking manner, but have also made fun of mentally challenged people. As a child, I thought that when people matured, their humor would too. I guess I was wrong...

I really have no idea what kind of job I would like to have. I know in the back of my mind that a job dealing with autistic and disabled children may be too hard for me because this disability has been apart of my entire life. But deep down, I know I HAVE to make things better than they are right now. If anything, I would love to make the seriousness of all disabilities more apparent to the public. Movies such as "Tropic Thunder" show that our society has not matured. Who knows- maybe I can combine the this and my love of art and write a play about it.







Halloween- 1992. My brother & I