Jules wrote:JeanGreyForever wrote:
For me, my basic litmus test is that if somebody doesn't like this film, they aren't worth anything to me because I know what their values (or lack of values) are then.
Wow
Jean! Don't you think that is a bit extreme?

Surely at least some of the movie's dissenters will dislike it from a film-making perspective and not necessarily because they disagree with the film's message or values.
Disclosure: I love the film to bits.

It was a little bit of hyperbole but I should clarify. It's not so much a matter of having to love this film for its artistic vision or music, but more a matter for the film's basic humanity. If someone could watch this film and not feel for Quasimodo's situation or empathize with Esmeralda and the plight of the Romani, that would tell me their basic core values. If the intolerance in the film doesn't affect them at all and they find themselves completely unmoved by Frollo attempting to commit mass genocide all because one woman spurned him (and rightfully so), then I know right away that this is a person who lacks a connection with his or her basic humanity and I don't want anything to do with that person.
In other words, I'm not gonna hate somebody just because they didn't like a specific song on the film or was upset by the gargoyles.

But I am pleased to hear that you love the movie. Always good to know lol.
Actually another part of the "litmus test" is those who slutshame Esmeralda and call her all the expletives usually reserved for women because she didn't choose Quasimodo over Phoebus. At best she'll be called a gold digger or something about being selfish and choosing Phoebus' looks over Quasimodo's heart, or some nonsense about leading Quasi on and trying to seduce him. If someone can watch this film and feel that Quasimodo, as dear a soul as he is, is entitled to Esmeralda just because he's a "nice guy," that really makes them no different than Frollo in my book. It's a very dangerous mentality and proves that in the real world, the incel subculture very much exists and is willing to rob a woman of her agency because they feel they are owed something.