| That's Entertainment? |
November 2002
|
Jackass: The Movie, or the Audience?
The number one movie in America as of this writing is Jackass: The Movie. On many levels, the film sets new lows, but the real question is what comes next. It would seem that America has finally created a new category beyond "low-brow." Perhaps, we can dub it "no brow."
The movie is a collection of what David Letterman might count among his "Stupid Human Tricks." Johnny Knoxville and other professional stuntmen (professional in that they got paid, rather than in any sense of having high standards) engage in activities like bowling by throwing their bodies down the lane, or on another occasion, attaching electrodes to themselves and turning on the juice. Anyone who has spent a long Saturday night in a frathouse will recognize the pastimes.
And it is true that, in an idle moment of channel-surfing, the TV version of Jackass can amuse. What is disturbing is the thought that people stood in line and then handed over perfectly good money to see more of this. Barnum would weep.
All of life can't be a Shakespeare festival; we need less serious entertainments to maintain a sense of balance. But balance works both ways -- and one wonders, what magnificently uplifting and spiritually fulfilling masterpiece awaits to make up for Jackass. And one lies awake at night wondering what will follow in its footsteps.