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In our house, Friday night means tacos and a movie. That movie is usually one of the Harry Potters, or, when we have seen them too many times, one of the Lord of the Ring or Hobbit movies. Last Friday, my wife was out of town, and my daughter worked late, so it was just my son and me for movie night. Knowing his penchant for silliness and goofy characters, I tried to think of a movie from my younger days that would appease the goofiness inside all of us. As I flipped through the movies on the shelf, I stumbled across Ace Ventura Pet Detective. Jim Carrey exemplifies silly like no one else. His antics are over the top, and I thought my son would enjoy the crass humor, him being twelve, and all. The movie is from 1994, but as a heads up, this column may contain spoilers.
The movie started off innocently enough, Carrey acting as a delivery man, destroying the parcel while recapturing the small dog. This scene is harmless enough, and my son was into the language and facial contortions of Ace Ventura. Here, the movie takes its first turn toward overt sexuality, when Ventura returns the dog to its rightful owner. I will admit I had forgotten as much of this movie as I remembered, and my remote-control finger was slower than I would have desired, but we moved past that scene and on with the movie.
The movie continued, my son watching with less excitement than I had anticipated, shuffling around on the couch, losing interest for sections at a time. He found the scene at Shady Acres Mental Hospital funny, albeit over the top, and found the most humor in Jim Carrey bending over and talking with his hands on his butt.
*Spoiler alert*
Toward the end of the movie, Ace Ventura realized that the police Lieutenant, Lois Einhorn was actually Ray Finkle, the former kicker for the Dolphins. At that moment, he also realizes that Lois had just kissed him, and Lois was really a man. This began a series of over the top homophobic activities: vomiting, brushing his teeth, vomiting again, using a plunger to make him vomit more, brushing his teeth again, and finally chewing multiple packs of gum simultaneously. As the scene progressed, I grew more and more uncomfortable, and more and more disappointed with my movie choice. In the final scene, when it is revealed that she is a man, ALL of the officers begin spitting and vomiting, while the theme song from the Crying Game plays in the background.
I looked over at my son, trying to gauge his reaction, and he had a look of bewilderment, or confusion. He looked back at me as if to say, “I don’t get it.” And he didn’t get it. The film ended shortly after that scene, and as I turned off the television, I asked what he thought. “It was weird,” he said. Then he paused, “Why were they all throwing up at the end?”
“It’s because they realized that Einhorn was a man.”
“Why does that matter?” And then the light came on. “Is it because he kissed a man?”
It was indeed. How is it that a film from 1994 could be so homophobic? How is it that movies with scenes like this are so beloved. This isn’t the only movie with blatant homophobic humor from that era either. Scary Movie, Harold and Kumar, Boat Trip, Bruno.
The worst part was, how was it that I, having seen this movie a dozen times, never stopped to question the irresponsibility of this scene, of this movie, of my choice in selecting it. How was I able to overlook such a despicable scene? Moreover, how did I watch this movie time and time again and find it humorous; fail to see the lack of sensibility?
When the movie began, I posted a photo of the disc jacket on Instagram with the caption, “Mom’s out of town, so I’m learnin’ the kid right.” I couldn’t have been more wrong. A friend of mine replied. “I hate the ending and the ‘punchline’ of everyone gagging in the climax scene. Make sure the kids know having a sex change/kissing someone who’s had one isn’t something to be grossed out by.” And they were right. It isn’t a punchline.
LGBTQ+ rights, sensitivities are discussed openly in our house. Our children know where we stand on sexuality, race, class, ability, and gender. This was part of his confusion. How is it that we preach respect, and in the same breath watch a movie so directly disrespectful? I’m glad that he found no humor in that scene, and little humor in the movie as a whole. I’m glad that he didn’t understand why the officers acted the way they did. I’m glad that it made no sense to him. It doesn’t make sense.
The movie led to a lengthy discussion about inclusivity, sexuality, gender norms and the fragility of masculinity. It also included several apologies from me. I want my son, and his generation, to do better. To be better. I need to do better. Transphobia and homophobia have no place in our house.
On a side note, I have a barely used copy of Ace Ventura Pet Detective if anyone wants it.
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Photo credit: Getty Images