Hollywood Encourages Voter Registration With… Sarcasm?
This political cycle has seen an incredibly innovative use of online video, but they can’t all be winners. The latest Get Out the Vote initiative is a viral video produced by Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way and literally jam-packed with famous faces. But even though at least 10 Academy Awards have been won by those participating — well, most of them were won by Dustin Hoffman — the ad is still a major misfire.
What’s wrong here? Where do I start?
- Tonally, it’s incredibly smug. I mean, sarcasm from Hollywood celebrities? Really? That seemed like a good idea? REALLY? I mean, for five minutes? REALLY? (This sarcasm is intentional, for the record.)
Seth RoganJonah Hill and Sarah Silverman are the only ones who are actually funny.- Tobey Maguire looks like he’s moments away from crying.
- Benicio Del Toro looks like the War on Drugs is being waged inside his liver at that very second.
- The smugness quotient gets ramped up to a new plane of patronizing when we spend about thirty seconds being reminded that you have to register in order to vote. Leave us alone, Laura Linney! Leonardo DiCaprio just got done bugging us about this! God!
- Oh, by the way, Leonardo DiCaprio does not have a watch (or a cell phone). Because HE IS TOO IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS.
- So if I send this to five of my friends, and they each send it to five of their friends, and then they send it to five of their friends… Oh, so THAT’S how viral video works? Thanks famous people!
- And then the video’s stunning conclusion: Dustin Hoffman hits on Julie the 2nd AD while the crew laughs. To be fair, Julie is wearing a halter top on a film set. But still.
I feel passionately that voting is an important thing to do — it gives the average citizen a voice, and serves as a helpful reminder that we are all complicit in our government’s actions. So, my humble suggestion: send this link to your unregistered American friends. Not this video.
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[...] Oodles of celebrities get together in front of a white screen to sarcastically tell you not to vote. At length. More commentary, including analysis of Tobey Maguire’s feelings and Benicio Del Toro’s liver, here. [...]
Top Bottom 5 Celebrity Get-Out-the-Vote Videos…
— 3:56 PM on October 3, 2008
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dunno, but I really liked it …
I disagree with this post. If this video gets even one person to vote or understand how to register to vote that didn’t before then it is worth it.
Thanks for pointing out the vid though, not sure I would’ve caught it otherwise.
Seth Rogen is not in this video. He was the reason I started watching. Thanks for wasting my time!
Sorry about that John — mental slip. Fixed now.
I couldn’t agree more. More than anything, it is way too long!
I did like the end tho. Hoffman is a charming guy and comes off much better than the rest.
Liz – what’s so objectionable? Healthcare – education – the war(s)? Or your apparent disdain for actors?
I felt so strong about it I shared it with racquetball players across New England at http://www.mykillshot.com . We don’t usually mix politics & sweat but I felt this one is way too important to sit out.
Thanks for the heads up – not the slant.
Why, why why is this video so long?
Mark:I agree it was a little harsh but she makes it pretty clear that she’s not questioning the intent of the video, just the execution. Liberals who support mediocre art because we agree with its intentions are among the leading causes of global mediocrity. Stop ruining the planet!
Julie looks like no 2nd AD I’ve ever met.