Reliving your favorite childhood movies or TV shows can transport you back to a time of pure joy and nostalgia. Whether it’s an enchanting animated masterpiece, a classic coming-of-age tale, or a side-splitting comedy, these familiar stories have a magical way of comforting us. But sometimes, when we take a closer look, we realize that these beloved gems haven’t quite kept up with the times.
Even the brilliant stars of these productions can’t help but acknowledge this fact. As our society evolves and our understanding of what’s acceptable changes, what was once considered perfectly fine on the big or small screen may now raise some eyebrows. This realization leads us to question and reassess these timeless treasures.
In the midst of this, the actors who brought these stories to life often open up about their own works that haven’t aged gracefully. One recent example is the talented Jennifer Aniston, who has bravely shared her thoughts on past projects that might not resonate with today’s world.
1. In Hindsight, Tom Hanks Believes Both ‘Philadelphia’ And ‘Forrest Gump’ Have Problems
Tom Hanks, who has been involved in over six dozen movies, considers the process of movie-making to be nothing short of a miracle. Despite being amazed at how films come together, Hanks recognizes that there are issues with some of his own acclaimed works.
For instance, when discussing his role as Andrew Beckett, the HIV-positive lawyer in Philadelphia, Hanks acknowledges the question of whether a straight actor should portray a gay character. In response, he firmly states that it wouldn’t happen today and rightfully so. Hanks believes that the authenticity of a gay character should be portrayed by someone who can truly understand and identify with that experience.
While Hanks admits that Philadelphia may not have aged well in certain aspects, he also recognizes its significance in history. Similarly, he addresses the criticism surrounding his film Forrest Gump, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1995. Some critics argue that it is merely nostalgic for the baby boomer generation. Hanks responds by highlighting the film’s massive success and the perception that it was a deliberate attempt at pandering to nostalgia. However, he doesn’t see it as a negative problem to have.
Hanks goes on to discuss a powerful moment in Forrest Gump that showcases the undeniable humanity and emotional impact of the film. He describes a scene where Gary Sinise’s character, Lieutenant Dan, and his Asian wife visit Forrest and Jenny’s house on their wedding day. In just four words – “magic legs” and “Lieutenant Dan” – Hanks believes that the characters convey their shared understanding of the pain and tragedy they have endured, while also expressing gratitude for surviving it all.
In these examples, Hanks reflects on the flaws and criticisms surrounding his movies, while also appreciating their place in cinematic history and the profound moments they capture.
2. Brooke Shields Is Proud Of ‘Pretty Baby,’ But Wouldn’t Let Her Own Daughter Do It
The 1978 movie Pretty Baby caused quite a stir when it was released, as it revolved around the story of a young prostitute. One of the main reasons for the controversy was the concern that 11-year-old Brooke Shields was being exploited in her role as the main character, Violet.
Brooke Shields’s mother, Teri Shields, was always by her side during the film’s production. In an interview with People magazine in May 1978, Teri admitted that she had been labeled as a stage mother and even a one-woman film-wrecking crew. However, she didn’t let these criticisms bother her, as she saw herself as her daughter’s protector and was ready to fight for her.
This protective mindset carried over to Brooke, who later became a mother to two daughters of her own. While she remains proud of her work in Pretty Baby and has the full support of her mother, she stated that she would not allow her own daughters to make a movie like it. Given the current environment, with social media and the dangers associated with it, she feels the need to prioritize her role as a mom and protect her 11-year-old.
In 2023, a documentary about Pretty Baby was released, and Shields served as one of the producers. The documentary delved into her early career, the impact of movies like Pretty Baby on her life, and her own experience of sexual violence. Shields openly discussed the nude scenes in the film and reminisced about her first kiss with Keith Carradine, who played her love interest. She recalled what Carradine told her during that scene, emphasizing that it was all pretend and make-believe.
Reflecting on her early experiences, Shields shared that she learned to compartmentalize at a young age as a survival technique.
3. Julia Roberts Says ‘Pretty Woman’ Is Full Of Things People ‘Could Poke A Hole In’
Pretty Woman” played a significant role in Julia Roberts’ rise to stardom during the 1990s. However, according to Roberts herself, she doubts that the movie could be made in today’s climate. In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, she acknowledged that the film has its flaws, saying, “There are so many things you could poke a hole in.” Despite this, Roberts believes that these flaws don’t take away from people’s enjoyment of the movie.
Interestingly, Roberts wasn’t the first choice for the role. She was at least the ninth actress approached after several Hollywood stars, including Diane Lane and Daryl Hannah, declined the opportunity. Roberts attributes her success in landing the role to a stroke of good luck.
Hannah, who turned down the part, expressed satisfaction with her decision in 2007. She stated that she is proud of refusing to take Julia’s role, and her opinion of the film has diminished over time. Hannah views “Pretty Woman” as a story that degrades women, depicting a prostitute who transforms into a lady by being financially supported by a wealthy and powerful man.
Richard Gere, who portrayed Edward Lewis in the film, had less than favorable things to say about his character in a 2012 interview. He criticized Edward for contributing to the global financial crisis by glorifying greedy and selfish Wall Street types. Gere expressed relief that society has become more skeptical of such individuals today, and he believes that the film’s portrayal of these characters as charming was fundamentally wrong
4. Elizabeth Perkins Knows The Love Scene In ‘Big’ Wouldn’t Be Acceptable Now
There’s no explicit sex scene in the movie Big, but it is implied that Josh Baskin (Tom Hanks) and Susan Lawrence (Elizabeth Perkins) become intimate. This suggestion has raised concerns, especially considering that Josh is a pre-teenaged boy who magically transforms into an adult.
In a recent article from The Guardian in 2021, Perkins addressed the controversy, revealing that she has been accused of being a pedophile. She acknowledged the concerns and stated that the scene should be viewed in the context of the time it was made, the 1980s.
During a conversation with People, Perkins further explained the scene. She clarified that although they don’t explicitly show Josh and Susan having sex, there is a moment where she takes her shirt off and he touches her breast. The scene then cuts to the elevator door opening, and Josh is seen with a satisfied smile on his face. While the characters never explicitly say that they slept together, it is implied that they “definitely fooled around.”
Perkins added that the appropriateness of the scene was not a major issue during the production of Big. However, she acknowledges that such a scene would likely not be shown in today’s context. She emphasizes that societal norms and attitudes have changed since the ’80s, stating that “we’re in a different time.”
5. Seann William Scott Thinks People Would Get Arrested Now For Some Of The Content In ‘American Pie’
Seann William Scott gained attention for his role as Steve Stifler, the most outrageous character in the movie American Pie. Reflecting on the film’s place in today’s film industry, Scott shared his thoughts in 2022, saying, “You could never make American Pie these days.” He pointed out that certain actions depicted in the movie would now lead to serious legal consequences.
While Scott acknowledged that American Pie played a significant role in launching his career, he also expressed doubt about the future of similar movies, stating, “I don’t see there ever being an appetite for those sort of movies again.”
Other cast members have also recognized the film’s problematic aspects from a modern perspective. Jason Biggs, who played Jim, specifically mentioned the webcam scene, saying, “It would be unacceptable what that represents.” He recalled being surprised by the concept of cameras on computers when he first read the script.
Shannon Elizabeth, who portrayed Nadia, the victim of webcam voyeurism, addressed the potential reception of the film in the context of the #MeToo movement. She commented in 2019, “If this had come out after the #MeToo movement, there would definitely be a problem. I think that it would have gone down differently.”
6. Jennifer Aniston Knows ‘A Whole Generation Of People’ Find ‘Friends’ ‘Offensive’
From 1994 to 2004, the popular TV show Friends entertained audiences with the lives of Ross, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Phoebe, and Chandler in New York City. This group of friends, along with their various side characters, brought laughter and tears to viewers, all while consuming copious amounts of coffee.
However, some aspects of Friends have not aged well in reruns and on streaming platforms. Jennifer Aniston, who portrayed Rachel Green on the show, mentioned that episodes containing certain topics, such as a “joke about a bigot,” were once considered funny but are now deemed inappropriate.
Aniston went on to explain the challenges faced by comedians in the current climate:
“Now it’s a little tricky because you have to be very careful, which makes it really hard for comedians, because the beauty of comedy is that we make fun of ourselves, make fun of life… In the past, you could joke about a bigot and have a laugh – that was hysterical. And it was about educating people on how ridiculous people were.”
Regarding Friends specifically, Aniston acknowledged that there are now a whole generation of people, particularly young viewers, who find certain episodes offensive:
“There were things that were never intentional and others… well, we should have thought it through – but I don’t think there was a sensitivity like there is now.”
7. Ted McGinley Cringes ‘A Little Bit’ Watching ‘Revenge Of The Nerds’
Ted McGinley and the other stars of Revenge of the Nerds have mixed feelings about the movie. During an oral history of the film, McGinley addressed criticisms by admitting that there are moments that make him cringe. However, he also wonders if there are still parts of the movie that hold up and remain funny.
Director Jeff Kanew and co-writer Steve Zacharias also shared their thoughts on certain aspects of the film. Kanew explained the context of a scene where Stan Gable (played by McGinley) has sex with a woman under false pretenses. He acknowledged that at the time, it was seen as a switch in the typical narrative, where the woman doesn’t resist and instead expresses excitement. Kanew admitted that although this may have excused it then, he understands that it’s not truly acceptable. He even mentioned that if it were his daughter, he wouldn’t approve.
Zacharias expressed regret for writing that particular scene and revealed that he chose to leave it out of the future musical adaptation of the movie.
8. Jim Carrey Feels The Homophobia In ‘Ace Ventura’ Is ‘Ridiculous’
In 1994, Jim Carrey expressed to Roger Ebert that he anticipated a polarizing reaction to his film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, saying it would be a “hate-it or love-it” kind of movie. Carrey also mentioned feeling disappointed that the negative reviews didn’t acknowledge the film’s boldness and willingness to push boundaries.
One memorable scene in the movie involves the main character, Ace Ventura, discovering that a former football player is actually a police officer named Lt. Lois Einhorn. In a comedic fashion, Ventura goes to extreme lengths to erase any trace of the kiss they shared. During this scene, the song “The Crying Game” plays, referencing the film with the same title. Ventura’s actions include vomiting, consuming a tube of toothpaste, and burning his clothes.
When discussing Ventura’s reaction to the situation, Carrey explained that it was meant to be an honest portrayal of homophobia. The character’s over-the-top response to kissing a man was intended to satirize and ridicule homophobia itself. Carrey found it absurd that his character would feel the need to put a plunger on his face just because he kissed another man.
9. Gwyneth Paltrow Realizes It Was A ‘Disaster’ To Make ‘Shallow Hal’
In the movie Shallow Hal, Gwyneth Paltrow played the character Rosemary Shanahan, who was the love interest of Jack Black’s character. To portray Rosemary, Paltrow wore a “fat suit” that made her appear obese. The idea behind the film was that Hal saw Rosemary’s inner beauty and fell in love with her, despite her actual physical appearance.
According to Paltrow, playing Rosemary was a “disaster” and stands as one of her least favorite performances. Wearing the fat suit was not a pleasant experience for her, but it left a lasting impression. Paltrow recalled her first time wearing the suit in 2001, saying it was a sad and disturbing scene. She felt humiliated because people were dismissive and refused to make eye contact with her due to her obesity. Paltrow also criticized the unflattering clothes designed for overweight women.
Even after the movie’s release, Shallow Hal faced criticism from weight-discrimination activist Marilyn Wann in San Francisco. She expressed her lack of gratitude for a film that profited at the expense of overweight individuals.
Peter Farrelly, one of the film’s writers and directors, explained that the movie’s message had been misunderstood. Their intention was to highlight the humanity in people and challenge the notion of judging others based on societal standards of physical appearance. Farrelly believed that if people looked beyond the classic American look, they might be surprised by who they could fall in love with.
Despite these explanations, Shallow Hal is often referred to as a “fat joke” that has not aged well.
10. Ted McGinley Cringes ‘A Little Bit’ Watching ‘Revenge Of The Nerds’
