‘Couples Retreat’ Poster Omits Black Stars
Posted on November 16, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I thought there was nothing that the awful movie “Couples Retreat” could do to be more offensive. I was wrong.
According to the Huffington Post, the blockbuster comedy has eliminated one of its four couples in its non-US posters. It is the black couple, played by Faizon Love and Kali Hawk.
The studio has “retreated” from this position and issued a statement saying that they made the decision only to emphasize the stars most recognizable in the international markets. Of course, you don’t get recognizable by being left off the poster. Now, if I had been in this movie, I would ask to have my name, face, and performance excised from the film. But this decision, insensitive at best, overtly racist at worst, is terribly unfair to the performers and insulting to the audience.
As if relegating the black couple to the back of the … um … lagoon in the U.S. poster wasn’t bad enough.
I had the same thought, Dave. Thanks for a great comment.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??? OBVIOUSLY THE DIRECTOR WILL PUT THE MORE FAMOUS STARS IN THE FRONT OF THE POSTER. MAYBE THE BLACK COUPLE IS NOT AS IMPORTANT IN THE MOVIE??? ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO LIVE TO FIND THESE THINGS AND CREATE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLE HILL THAT ADULTERATE OUR COUNTRY WITH POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND THAT RACIST POLICY OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. HATE THIS !!!!!!!!!
You don’t need to shout, Arthur. The black couple is as important in the movie and the actors are as well-known as the white couples. The fact that they were left off the poster is as much a reflection of the bigotry of the audience as of the studio. This is not political correctness; it is just an observation on the unfairness that is still prevalent in the world. Your comment can be seen as a reflection of that as well.
Nell, I totally agree about the poster. I was wondering if you had a review for this movie though. I just bought it, but didn’t open it yet.
Thanks!
Amy
Thanks! The review will be back up tomorrow, Amy — just switching from “movie” to DVD listing. I really didn’t like it. If you watch the movie, let me know what you think!
They should have just left them out in the original and there wouldn’t have been any problem, but since there’s something to compare it to… “OH HOW DARE YOU TAKE THE ONLY BLACK PERSON OUT OF THE PICTURE!” even though he wasn’t a major role.
Perhaps you were not paying attention, Zachary, but the black couple’s role was fully equivalent to the other three. You might want to think about your judgment that they were not important enough for you to notice — or your judgment that this comment was worthy of your time.