Nine once-celebrated films now viewed as having aged poorly

Collider reports that nine once-celebrated films are now commonly seen as having aged poorly, with examples ranging from racial caricature to problematic sexual dynamics.

The list highlights specific issues in individual films: Breakfast at Tiffany’s features Mickey Rooney in an over-the-top caricature of a Japanese landlord; Cobra is increasingly appreciated as a comedy for its odd moments such as the hero eating pizza with scissors; Teen Wolf includes an outdated homophobic slur; Crash is criticized for a coincidence-heavy plot and thinly sketched characters; Never Been Kissed hinges on a romance complicated by a teacher who believes his partner to be a student; Sixteen Candles contains a stereotypical portrayal of Long Duk Dong and a troubling subplot implying non-consensual sex; Revenge of the Nerds depicts a scene in which a man disguises himself to have sex with a woman who then accepts him when he reveals himself; American Beauty’s central infatuation with a high school student and later accusations against Kevin Spacey leave the film with an unpleasant aftertaste; and Manhattan centers on a romantic relationship between an adult character and a 17-year-old.

The piece notes that many of these films still retain fans and can be enjoyable, but viewers may find it necessary to skip or fast-forward through objectionable scenes when watching them today.

Key Topics

Culture, Sixteen Candles, American Beauty, Manhattan, Never Been Kissed, Teen Wolf