'Bulworth' worth seeing - with a caveat
By John Parker
See this movie. It's funny and truthful. But,
beware-Beatty got a little careless in his portrayal of African
Americans. Usually a slip like that would be fatal, since
racism can so easily find a way to ruin anything. But the film
eventually finds its footing and allows a message to be told
that needs to be heard.
Many have been fooled about the role of the Democratic Party
and how it works in stride with the Republican Party to rob,
jail and enslave working people for the sake of super-profits
for the rich and to stifle any attempt by working people to
attain socialism.
This movie says loud and clear that big capital-as
represented by the banks, insurance companies and
corporations-own the media, Democrats and Republicans. And it
shows that these same powerful capitalists who buy the
elections and make the repressive laws are responsible for the
pov erty, drugs, lack of health care, unemployment and hunger
in this country.
The film stops short of saying that those same forces own
the police and military and that it will take a revolution to
change it all. But "Bulworth" does expose an essential truth
that the working class has not seen on TV or in the
newspapers.
Why would Rupert Murdoch-the kind of union-busting,
anti-worker "rich guy" to whom "Bulworth" refers-support Beatty
in making this movie? Well, the name Warren Beatty likely
insures a profit. And, as Lenin said, the capitalists will sell
you the rope to hang them with. This isn't the whole rope, but
it provides a good amount of twine.
The story follows a few days in the life of a politician
who, on the campaign trail, suddenly gets a conscience. You
assume that this politician was once a liberal and had become
corrupted by money. Although he had pictures of Huey Newton,
Rosa Parks and other figures of the civil rights era on his
wall, he is now fighting against affirmative action and welfare
to further his career.
But now he can't live with himself any longer. He hires a
hit man to do him in before the end of the weekend. With
nothing to lose, he is now free to expose the lies of his
political life during his scheduled fundraisers and
debates.
The low points
In one uncomfortable scene, the white character Bulworth
preaches to Black people about what they need to do and who
they should or shouldn't support. The character makes a comment
about Black folks being preoccupied with chicken, malt liquor
and O.J.- Simpson, that is.
It's not clear if it's supposed to be an unconscious,
ignorant remark from an isolated politician or part of the
movie's conscious and serious message.
If it was serious, when should an ethnic group's cuisine
determine its oppression? As for malt liquor, some Black people
hate it, but that's irrevelant. Drug and alcohol abuse are a
symptom of capitalism that equally destroys workers lives-
Black people have no monopoly on addiction.
As for O.J. support for him came from a very intelligent
hatred of racist police and frameups as represented by
LAdetective Mark Fuhrman.
Also, why did so many of the African American women have to
play roles a lot more comic and insulting than real? Balance is
a problem here.
And hopefully this picture won't reinforce the stereotype
that every Black child in South Central Los Angeles carries a
gun and sells dope. At least the film does show that even these
children are not what the government and media say they are,
and don't belong behind bars or executed by the police. And
"Bulworth" does attempt to explain the system's responsibility
for their behavior.
Still, the film should have been more balanced in reflecting
the African American community and its leaders. The stereotypes
only take away from the message. After all, white workers have
been force-fed extra-heaping spoonfuls of racism from birth by
the ruling class. It's best to assume that little is known by
non-Africans about who Black people really are and what their
history is.
That said, it's heartwarming to see how people can grow.
Bulworth learns to greatly respect the character he
romantically falls for, played by African American actor Halle
Berry. In spite of stereotypes to the contrary, moviegoers see
Bulworth change as a result of being with and learning from
Black people who understand not only sacrifice, community
sharing and family responsibility, but government oppression
and bourgeois politicians.
See this movie before it gets buried. It helps clear the fog
to expose the class struggle between "us," the workers, and
"them," the rich guys.
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011
Email: ww@workers.org
Subscribe wwnews-subscribe@workersworld.net
Support independent news http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php)
HOME
:: U.S. NEWS ::
WORLD NEWS ::
EDITORIALS ::
SUBSCRIBE ::
DONATE
Email
this article
Printable
page