Taraji P. Henson Says Think Like A Man Shouldn’t Be Called a ‘Black Film’, Do You Agree?
The cast of Think Like A Man is on a promotional blitz to ensure the film will be a hit with moviegoers, but will their efforts woo non-black film fans?
While the film, based on Steve Harvey’s bestselling book, features a majority black cast, Tarji P. Henson recently told theGrio she doesn’t think it should be labeled a “black film.”
Last week I asked if you thought TLAM would be able to crossover to non-black audiences, considering two of the film’s main characters are not black, and many of you wondered if this should even be the film’s intent.
Today, I found myself in an interesting conversation via Twitter about the universality of the film. One Twitter pal argued that TLAM limited its potential universal appeal by employing a majority black cast. While I understand his concerns—and even wondered why the commercials created for the film barely included its non-black stars—our conversation made me think.
When it comes to “universal appeal” why are films with black casts engaging in “normal” things like dating or trying to pursuing careers often seen as catering to a niche audience, while films with majority white casts are seen as universal and appealing to all audiences? In both instances diversity may be equally lacking and yet one film is marketed to a specific (black) audience, while the other is marketed broadly.
This conversation is at the heart of the discussions surrounding HBO’s newest series Girls, which lacks diversity, opting to use four white women as leads, and yet is sold as a commentary about millennials in the big city.
So my question is this: Are films and TV shows only “universal” when they include white folks? Can an all-black cast make a “universal” film?
Let’s talk about it!
The themes can be universal but the casting does not mean it has to be diverse to reflect that. Your school, work, and city maybe diverse but who you hang with and call friends maybe another thing. Most, like a high school lunch table, tend to gravitate to their own. Films can be a reflection of that.
Gravitating toward one’s own is problematic in and of itself, but since that is the unfortunate world in which we live, it’s still an issue that one group is seen as more of the norm/more universal than the other. When it comes down to it, that is what today’s mainstream films are reflecting: the universality of one group over all others.
So to answer your questions: Are films and TV shows only “universal” when they include white folks? At this point in time: yes.
Can an all-black cast make a “universal” film? At this point in time: no (unless it’s a period/celebrity-centered piece (e.g. Ray, Dreamgirls, etc) like someone mentioned below).
Hopefully, one day we’ll be able see people as people and celebrate each other.
In other news, I live in Queens (predominately white/Asian neighborhood), and was excited to go see the movie at my local AMC movie theater this weekend, only to find out that they are not showing TLAM…they will be showing The Lucky One and Chimpanzee, however…smDh.
“, it’s still an issue that one group is seen as more of the norm/more universal than the other.”
Yes this is true but who are the people viewing it that way? It seems to me that black people are the ones who are discussing this and defining it that way. When I look at TLM and see the white actors the first thing that comes to my mind are tokens, an obvious attempt at baiting white people to see the movie. That rubs me the wrong way just like it would if the races were in reverse. A good movie with good acting and script will make you want to see it if it is promoted the right way. It’s no secret that white people buy rap music, watch NBA basketball, and other entertainment dominated by black people. They do it cause of quality of the product that is put out in front of them just like black people will pay for quality that does not reflect them in the mirror. I hate forced diversity, it makes people lazy and kills creativity.
I know, it sucks, but in this day and age, a good movie is not just a good movie, and good actors are not just good actors. If that were the case, there would be a lot more diversity at the good ol’ Oscars. On the one hand, TLAM needs to resort to adding the “token” person because it is trying to be “accepted” as mainstream/more universal. On the other, predominately white shows/movies may cast the “token” because they want to keep minority happy, or rather, keep them from protestin’ and raisin’ some kinda hell.
Regarding hip-hop/the NBA etc., that has been accepted as “cool” ages ago. You’re considered cool or to possess street cred., if you’re listening to Lil Wayne, or you can play basketball. It’s gangsta, it’s tough…but sports and music have always been deemed “our thing,” right? We’ve always been so good at that…
But “forced diversity” is all relative anyway. I’ve had groups of close friends where I was the only black girl, and have been with a group of close black friends with the “token” Asian/white/purple girl…and what have you.
I thought “Ray” was a universally-appealing film even though it had a majority black cast. It really depends on the star-power of a given movie if it will break out of the “black movie” mold. Although the stars of TLAM are more or less known in the white community, they aren’t A-listers like a Denzel or a Halle. Also, it’s based off a book by Steve Harvey, who is, again, known in the white community mostly but not a prominent figure.
Curly: Ray Charles was a universal figure…..so lots of people could relate to his life story.
It’s funny because shows like cosby, family matters, and fresh prince weren’t “niche” really because I can talk about this shows with different races of people. They were staples in the late ’80s and ’90s. This proves that all black casts can be universal but movies have always been way diff. Hollywood has only been content to define blackness as a stereotype. I’m not sure what the difference is, it may be the way movies with black casts are promoted? Either way, it’s obvious that the group that holds the power (whites) would be deemed as universal and all types of movies are just deviations from the norm. I wonder if the movie “he’s just not that into you” hadn’t come out if things would be different.
If they are looking for universal appeal, why did they not use footage of the 2 white guys of the film in the trailer? ENTOURAGE was a hit on HBO and Jerry Ferrara fans would like to know he’s in it. That may have shown that it was not “just” a black movie.
Good Point. Advertising is a huge reflection of potential audience, as someone else also stated.
If people want to go see this film they will. If they don’t want to they won’t. It’s as simple as that. For example; the area I live in I see young black, white, and latino kids that go to all of Tyler Perry’s movies. The younger generation is more open to diversity; and they’re looking for movies that make them laugh…..they don’t care who’s in the movie.