There’s something about watching a movie that’s done so emotionally right. When I reviewed Bohemian Rhapsody I mentioned how there was little passion for the in-between scenes, the scenes where music takes a backseat and we instead get a look at the musician’s life. Where Bohemian Rhapsody failed, Rocketman excelled. There was so much raw emotion throughout the emotion. Yes, I think it helped that Rocketman focused on Elton John while Bohemian Rhapsody had to contend with both Freddie Mercury and Queen. I want to talk about how each respective artist dealt with their problems, but I really don’t know how Freddie Mercury and Queen dealt with that. It simply wasn’t explained in the movie.
Slurs
I want to take a moment of this blog and discuss something that I know is a sensitive subject: the use of slurs. Now, in Rocketman we hear quite a few different words and aside from your standard swears, we hear homophobic swears. Now I won’t pretend to be an expert on this and my word is obviously not final on this. The film starts in the 1950s when homophobia was prevalent. While social attitudes did improve throughout the years, there is even still some stigma around the LGBTQ+ community. So I suppose the question becomes this:
Is it ok to use a slur when writing?
First off, slurs are like swears. When someone in a movie constantly swears, you don’t get the impact of it. Same thing with slurs. Does that mean you can use slurs sparingly?
Second, It is time appropriate. As mentioned the 1950s were a horrendous time for the LGBTQ+ community, and even during the AIDS crisis in the 80s these terms would still be used. If a movie is set during a homophobic period does that mean it can use slurs?
Third, it brings attention to certain aspects of the accused. Elton John is gay and this movie shows his fight with coming to terms. Hearing slurs is one of the ways he would actually have experienced this. Does that make it OK to use slurs?
Fourth, and finally, it depends. If you are using a slur in your writing just to use it, then don’t. But if you’re using the slur to make a point, to emphasize something then yes perhaps it’s OK. “To Kill a Mockingbird” famously uses the N-word I believe it’s three times. Not because Harper Lee wanted to, but because it portrayed such an emotion to tie together with the rest of the story that it was almost necessary.
And, by the way, I’m not saying that the two slurs or really any slurs are better or worse than another or that the associated peoples had better or worse circumstances. Simply that if you do choose to use a slur, it has to be such a specific circumstance in your writing. You must search and see if there’s a different way of portraying that emotion. At all costs you should avoid using slurs but if it truly does warrant being used, than use it sparingly. I’m not mad at Rocketman for these slurs because the slurs used did fit in the narrative. They were time accurate and would have been something Elton John actually heard. They made the story more poignant and added another level to the emotion presented in the film.
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