The History Boys

[lls_mutant]

I'm just curious, am I the only one who was annoyed by parts of The History Boys? (It came up on remusxsirius, which is why I'm mentioning it. My MRFH review is here, but the relevant snippet of the review is this:

The other thing that bothered me was the expression of homosexuality in this. I am absolutely fine with the fact that Hector was a homosexual pedophile (um, in a non-condoning sort of way). It was a very interesting character choice, and I thought it made for some very complex issues in terms of dynamics between him and the boys. I could understand when Irwin, who was a very young teacher, was very attracted to a student that was blatantly hitting on him. (And when I say blatant, I mean flashing neon lights.) But what broke the camel's back was when at the end, Posner, a student who came out during the movie, made a comment about being a teacher and being very tempted by his students. Every homosexual character in this movie was exhibiting pedophilic tendencies.

Seriously, am I the only one bothered by this? I could have understood one — maybe two — of these characters. And Duckie and I did have an argument about whether or not Irwin could be qualified as a pedophile, given that he must have been about twenty-four and Dakin was probably eighteen, and Dakin was making the very, very obvious advances. But see, here's the thing. I like men. I'm very inclined towards men. And yet, I don't remotely lust after the kids in my youth group. (In fact, one word: EWWWWW.) I am strongly suspecting that many adults, regardless of their sexual orientation, feel this way. They want equals, whether it be for a night or a lifetime. Sure, there's something to be said for a hot young stud — I've drooled over Josh Hartnett enough that I can't deny that. But actually wanting to act on it, especially when that person is in a position where you have power over them… most people I know would not be overly tempted. (Either that, or they all lie to me.) Anyway, the fact that there were three firmly homosexual characters and all three struggled with underage temptation… that bothered me. Way to perpetuate a stereotype.

I mean, I did like the movie. I thought it had some VERY interesting things to say about education, and I especially liked the dichotomy of Hector as a pedophile and as a teacher that, academically, the boys really respected. I thought that was quite fascinating. But I guess I didn't think it was all that and a bag of chips.

I see Heroes should be making it to our mailbox soon. YAY! I didn't watch the first season, because I had a hard time seeing it or something and by the time I knew I wanted to watch, I was too far behind. (Plus, watching on DVD is SO much nicer, especially since a.) no commercials b.) we can watch the next episode the next night, and c.) schedule-wise it's great!) But I'm dying to see it- I've heard so many good things about it. But first, I think we're going to finish Season 5 of Buffy (we only have 1 more disc, hallelujah- I see where it really did go downhill, where's the funny?), Season 5 of Scrubs (won't take long), and rewatch Season 1 of Rome before we watch Season 2, which we haven't seen.

And I'm DYING for Lost to start again, especially now that they have their end date! (I think having an end date will really improve the show, because of pacing issues.)

Hmmm. Suppose I should get writing. Big awkward reconciliation scene between two emotionally repressed men. This ought to be fun :P

Comments

[such_heights]

Every homosexual character in this movie was exhibiting pedophilic tendencies.

And that was the one thing that really bothered me about the transition from stage to screen - it wasn't like that in the original, so I don't know why they changed their minds. Ah, I do still love it very much, though - I don't think it's perfect, but I think it managed to hit a spot that nothing else really seemed to be doing at the time when it first came out.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

That's interesting that it wasn't that way in the stage version. It really bothered me on the screen, but I'm pleased to hear it was different on the stage! I also heard that a few of the boys were better developed in the stage version, too.

There was a lot I really liked about it, and I thought it did some things that were unexpected. (The boys actually liking THREE teachers? The teachers actually understanding each other and working together? Isn't that impossible for this sort of movie? :) ) And I really liked a lot of what it did have to say about education, and the Hector plotline. ::sigh::

What was different about the stage version specifically?

[such_heights]

Yeah - there were just quite a few small differences between the two versions, most specifically in the epilogue sections (which is done differently anyway, as it takes place during Hector's funeral), as Posner originally didn't become a teacher at all, but ended up having a kind of mental breakdown. And Lockwood didn't die, either. *clings to that version of events*

It's odd though, because in either version it does seem to be promoting the idea that to be gay is to be rather miserable, which is such an old stereotype that I do wonder quite what was going on there.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess this was set in the 80s. I've always said that I hope neither of my boys end up gay. Obviously, I would love them and accept them for who they are, but I don't want someone I love so much to have to go through some of the shit this world throws at gay people. But although things aren't great, they HAVE gotten a lot better since the early 80s. But I agree that plenty of people have happy lives.

I think it might have been interesting, too, to explore the idea that Irwin (just given the age, he makes the most sense) couldn't come out and have an open relationship with an adult, because the parents would be so convinced he'd want their sons if they knew he was gay. But that would have gone someplace else entirely, I think.

Interesting to know some of the epilogue is different, though! And I'm glad Lockwood didn't die in the stage version- I liked him :)

[kyasuriin.livejournal.com]

pretty much ditto to everything such_heights said. It bothered me too in the movie and I just hated that Posner said that in the film because I thought it didn't need to be there at all. I mean, why should it be male teachers especially attracted to male students? why not female teachers or males attracted to female students? It does make homosexuality seem more deviant than it is.

That said, I do still love the film (but also love the play or at least when I read it.. I haven't seen it)