By Andrew Benjamin
It's amazing how words can have so much controversy.
With the passage of time, there are some words that have been become more acceptable to say than in the past. But there are a few that still hold that power to get you looks, jeers, and among other things, trouble. Fuck chronicles the title word in the everyday life. We hear from linguists, comedians, celebrities, liberal pundits and conservative pundits who give their take on the history of the word, why they do/don't use it and whether it is a strong enough word to be censored from the public.
One thing that this movie should be lauded for is its fair and balanced approach. It presents the conservative as well as liberal viewpoints, though it tends to ridicule, through careful editing, the more conservative view.
Though not done too often, the film takes a slightly humorous approach to some of the interviews, albeit intentionally. For example, we learn that instead saying of saying the f-word, religious celebrity Pat Boone incorporates his own last name. So if he stubs his toe, he will yell "BOONE!" It's little bits like this that are funny and would've been quite fun to see more of.
Another thing this movie has going for it are the well-executed and very funny animations by Bill Plympton. The one that stands out is an animation involving different types of ways people give "the bird" with the song "Surfin' Bird" by the Trashmen playing in the background. It honestly isn't an ironic contrast as the song came out during the radical 60's era but fits quite well in the context with this modern, in its own way, radical film.
The most interesting aspect of this film is the how it traces the use of the word in the media. We hear both sides: how "it should be censored from television because it will affect children", "children won't be affected by hearing this word," etc. We even hear from a lady known as Miss Manners who gives a few lessons on why it's a terrible word. When talking about the use of the word in television situations, the film creates a good argument about how the FCC is a politically motivated organization that subtlety uses the threat of censorship and fines to impede shows that want to use the word in a proper context.
This film will probably turn people off because of its title. Conservatives will also probably not like the film's obvious left-leaning bias. But the film creates some good arguments that are worth discussing. Overall, it's a film for those who want to learn and discuss the situation with this word, and perhaps not be as close-minded about it.
GRADE: A-
(Photo courtesy of IMPawards.com)