Hancock (2008) - Shipwreck 2

So, we have a homophobic superhero.  Really, really upsetting. 

Let me first give you the good news. Hancock is a good action movie.  This is an interesting story of a homeless guy who happens to be a superhero, he recklessly rescues people and prevents crimes --  after each rescue or intervention, the city is left with millions in unnecessary and usually easily avoidable damages.  Hancock is a drunkard and is constantly grumpy.

Things start to change when he saves the live of major cutie Jason Bateman.  Jason is into public relations and offers to change the image of our super hero.

Now the bad stuff.  The first homophobic content comes right on the first scene. When Hancock is busting these three criminals, he breaks into their car and says something to the effect that he was not even judging the fact that there were three dudes in the car.  He said it in a way that conveys his disgust with the all-dude situation. Bad.  Then, later, Jason is trying to help him choose a super hero outfit by showing the cover of a few comic books.  To every single one of the outfits Will Smith reacts: "homo", "homo in red", "Scandinavian homo" and so forth.  Again, really bad.

I concede that in those two scenes, Hancock had not been "saved" and he was still the baddass idiot; nasty and in bad behavior. But we are clearly made to be on his side at all times and we never forget that this is Will Smith, whose shit is not supposed to stink even when he's playing an idiot.  Also, to be a baddass, do you need to be homophobic?

Comments

[Queer Beacon]

Joe, you are right, the shoving the head in the ass was not good.

Six Degrees is one classy movie -- I didn't know about Will's nuanced refusal to kiss a guy...well, he is a friend of Tom Cruise...

[Movie Review]

Not to read too much into it -- I honestly thought most of the jokes were negative reflections on Hancock himself, not at the expense of gay people -- but I remember back when Will Smith did Six Degrees of Separation, he refused to do a scene where his (gay) character kissed another guy. Sounds like cut-and-dry homophobia, but his explanation was surprisingly nuanced: he said he didn't do it because he didn't want kids to see the movie in school and make fun of his own kids for it. It's a cultural thing, but luckily it seems to be a fading cultural thing.

[Joe Keitt]

Will is really supposed to be in that eschelon of actors who make better decisions than this movie. I was put off by the comments he made and found it kinda odd that if the comments were made by someone like Bruce Willis, it probably wouldn't have been more than a choice the character made and less poor suspension of disbelief of Will's acting.

I'm surprised you didn't mention the shoving the head up the ass scene as well. It was equally as bad as the comments and played into the gay bashing Hancock was fond of.

[jahh]

I will to see the film. Will Smith always amazing.

Please, if you want can we change links. I love your blog.

Thanks a lot.

Jahh ( Burbujas Gay/ Gay Bubbles)

[Queer Beacon]

Hey Alan, thank you for your comment. That's pretty scary -- I had never heard that before about WS. I would hope that more than 20 years would be enough for WS to change his ways...but if this movie is any indication, he might not have...

[Alan in Vermont]

Will Smith is (or was) also very homophobic.

I attended one of his shows back in the late 80's when he was with Jazzy Jeff (I know, I know, cut me some slack, please) and every other word was faggot this, fag that.

I STILL talk to my buddy who went with me to that show about how homophobic it was and with tons of kids around as well.

I don't watch his movies specifically because of that. He's an aarright actor, but I put my money where my fat mouth is.

[Carlos]

You are one of the few who thought this was a good movie. It has gotten awful reviews. It was an utter mess.