MovieChat Forums > Radio (2003) Discussion > OVERATED, EXPLOITIVE CRAP

OVERATED, EXPLOITIVE CRAP

posted 21 years ago by jg2_ansbach
75 replies | jump to latest

This is one of the worst movies about the disabled that has ever been made. If this movie was about a different subject matter it would have a 4.8 instead of a 6.8. No wonder Cuba Gooding Jr. is getting a Razzie for this movie. Hollywood's blatant exploitation of these kinds of subjects is disgusting.

Attention would-be directors: if you want your movie to be automatically liked by the masses, who can't think for themselves enough to separate the quality of a movie from the subject matter, just make a movie on one of the following topics:

- The Mentally or Physically Disabled Overcoming Adversity
- Racism
- Dying a Slow or Tragic Death
- Dealing with Homosexuality or Aids

You will have a guaranteed 'feel-good' hit, now matter how crappy your movie actually is.

NOW PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS PART BEFORE YOU REPLY:
I'm not taking any issue with those topics themselves - all of which are tragic and deserve to be talked about both in private and public, and which deserve to have GOOD movies made about them. What irks me is the fact that BAD movies about those topics get a 'free pass' even when they are still just a BAD MOVIE.

I'm sure Radio is a great guy and the real story is heartwarming - all the more reason it is an injustice to make a BAD movie about it!

[–] xraywoman 14 years ago

The fact that this movie is based on a true story should compel you to change your position, or at least look at the folly of your complaint. People who actually know the characters are saying that the portrayals were wonderful. This is a gorgeous and, at times, understated film which leaves us to extrapolate much of what the characters were thinking rather than blatantly giving us that info. Ed Harris, Cuba Gooding, etc.--what a cast of professionals. The story is feel-good, and if this disturbs you, perhaps you should avoid such. The direction, story-telling, and acting combined to tell the story without being overly dramatic or pandering to the audience. I don't think you actually "got" this film, at all. Were you expecting the Hollywood treatment?