via Entertainment Weekly
Director Ron Howard has told the Los Angeles Times that he will not remove a controversial joke using the word “gay” from his forthcoming Vince Vaughn comedy The Dilemma. Responding in writing to questions posed by Times columnist Patrick Goldstein, Howard explained that the line needs to be understood in the context of the movie and Vaughn’s character. Writes Howard: “I believe in sensitivity but not censorship. I feel that our film is taking additional heat as an emblem for many movies and TV shows that preceded it that have even more provocative characterizations and language. It is a slight moment in The Dilemma meant to demonstrate an aspect of our lead character’s personality, and we never expected it to represent our intentions or the point of view of the movie or those of us who made it.”
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which protested the inclusion of the “gay” line in The Dilemma‘s trailer and called for its removal from the movie, issued a statement in response to Howard’s decision. “At a time when so many in our country are speaking out against the bullying of gay youth, Universal was right to acknowledge the offensive nature of this ‘joke’ when it removed it from trailers,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios
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Article courtesy Entertainment Weekly
