I had planned to see Knocked Up Saturday night, but I’m on no less than three allergy medications so I spent most of the weekend knocked out. Regaining just enough consciousness to catch an hour of VH1’s 40 Most Softsational Soft Rock Songs – which is as ridiculous and mindless as it sounds and totally worth wasting brain cells on.
Now I have no doubt Knocked Up is hilarious. I’d pretty much cosign on anything Judd Apatow has a hand in – Talledega Nights, Anchorman, Freaks and Geeks – his comic genius is undeniable.
But what’s with the average-looking stoner who bags a supermodel?
A recurring theme of the film’s reviews and morning radio show banter has been, “How the hell does Seth Rogen end up with Katherine Hiegl?” Last week, The New York Daily News ran an article entitled “She’s Hot, He’s Not” where “real” New York women explained how they were won over by Rogen’s humanity, sense of humor and refreshing honesty. One source went so far as to suggest that the over-polished look of an Ocean’s 13 Brad Pitt was played.
Now don’t get me wrong, I fully understand the appeal of a funny man. Why just the other day I said, if given the opportunity, I would marry Will Ferrell. I imagine our life together would be one of non-stop hilarity, like a never-ending Best of Saturday Night Live compilation. But something else is going on here. I like to call it “The Shrek Effect.” The male fairytale. Even an ogre can get the hot chick, if he’s charming enough. Which is awesome for ogres everywhere. My problem is that there is no female equivalent.
Historically speaking, it’s always the woman who is willing to kiss the frog, hoping he’ll turn into a prince. Men argue that they are more visual blahblahblah, while women are socialized to look beyond looks. But surely there are guys who value a woman’s insides. (*smirk*). Assuming that’s true, why is it that story never gets told?
When Ugly Betty first premiered almost every article mentioned that America Ferrara was actually pretty. Get it. She’s just pretending to be ugly. Whew. And sure, Jake Ryan fell for a pubescent Molly Ringwald at the end of Sixteen Candles, but again, folks, Molly Ringwald is beautiful. Apparently, Hollywood’s version of unattractive involves wearing a pair of glasses or having red-hair.
So here’s what I want to see, Judd Apatow, I want to see a film about an ugly (or at least physically unremarkable), unkempt, paunchy woman whose personality and “humanity” wins the heart of an impossibly beautiful man (played by Johnny Depp, naturally…Perhaps Oliver Martinez).
But who would believe it, right?
I suppose that’s the point of fairy tales.
I feel so schooled. I guess I fell for it too. I thought Rogen was adorable. I wish I could come up with the counter… what about Jennifer Gray? She was engaged to Matthew Broderick and Johnny Depp. Melissa Gilbert and Rob Lowe? Sometimes beautiful men pick less attractive women… sometimes.
I was thinking about the same thing this week– looking at KNOCKED UP and THE VALET in my CM post… both revolve around this “Shrek Effect.” Great name for it!
What about MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING? I think that was a great gender reversal of this frog prince prototype.
Christina, I’ve never seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding. But I remember seeing the previews and thinking, “Really? *She* ends up with Aidan?” (I only knew John Corbett from Sex in the City). I do remember thinking that was rare. I’ll definitely check it out.
First of all, I gotta stand up for Seth Rogan. I think he’s adorable in that goofy, clueless, kind of way. But to each their own, right? I didn’t understand when people were going wild for Russell Crowe.
I want to begin my comment by saying that I love watching obscenely attractive people on the big screen as much as the next person (hi Jonathan Rhys Myers). But wouldn’t it be nice if actors were just normal looking people—not as a part of the plot, but just in general? I’m always refreshed by the everyman and I think it could make leaps and bounds in making us all less obsessed with what we look like.
Ladies, I also agree there’s something charming about Seth. I just think it’s unfortunate that there’s no real female couterpart to the “Seth Rogen’s” of our day. Cameron Diaz usually gets cast as adorable and goofy. While Kate Winslet gets cast as the frumpy one. And both women are pretty much gorgeous.
I should also say this is predominantly an issue with the film industry, as stage actors are usually more likely to reflect a range of body types and facial features found in the other 95% of the population.
I would suggest “The Truth About Cats and Dogs” as an example of the “reversal” you’re looking for.
Thanks Chris. Brilliant example. That’s exactly the type of “reversal” I was looking for. And I actually really like that film.