Some Movies Just Wouldn't Fly Today
Is there a movie you loved years ago, only to rewatch it today and discover that it's bad or problematic? These are nine movies that truly aged like milk.
Shallow Hal (2001)
These days, Shallow Hal is painful to watch. Starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black, this romantic comedy follows a man named Hal who only values women based on their appearance. However, after being hypnotized, he begins seeing people for their inner beauty.
As a result, Hal falls in love with a 300-pound woman, Rosemary, who he sees differently than everyone else (a very slim Gwyneth Paltrow).
Twentieth Century, Shallow Hal (2001)
Shallow Hal (2001)
Unfortunately, Shallow Hal's attempt at having a "good" message falls flat. In fact, the execution is downright horrific. For one, Gwyneth Paltrow wears a fat suit in some scenes, and her body is often used as the main punchline for the most distasteful jokes.
Twentieth Century, Shallow Hal (2001)
Shallow Hal (2001)
Even the promo poster for the film ran with the line, "The biggest love story ever told." It's no wonder that Gwyneth Paltrow has some deep regrets when it comes to Shallow Hal, even referring to the film as a "disaster" in one interview.
Twentieth Century, Shallow Hal (2001)
Never Been Kissed (1999)
It was only upon rewatching Never Been Kissed in 2024 that I realized how messed up the premise truly was. Drew Barrymore plays Josie Geller, a 25-year-old undercover reporter who pretends to be a teenager in high school, so that she can write about what teenagers are truly like.
Twentieth Century, Never Been Kissed (1999)
Never Been Kissed (1999)
Not only is Josie recording teens without their consent, but she also develops a crush on one of the popular boys. Things take an even more twisted turn when Josie's teacher, Mr. Coulson, starts developing feelings for her, and vice versa.
A teacher falling for his underage student? Not good.
Twentieth Century, Never Been Kissed (1999)
Never Been Kissed (1999)
Somehow, Josie Geller's adult brother Rob also enrolls at the same high school, and he helps Josie become popular. Unfortunately, Rob also takes up with a teenage girl, who he eventually asks to prom. It's a MESS.
Twentieth Century, Never Been Kissed (1999)
Never Been Kissed (1999)
In the end, Josie Geller reveals her true identity. Shockingly, Mr. Coulson is oddly mad that Josie isn't actually seventeen, but a grown adult woman. But don't worry. He forgives her and they end up together.
Twentieth Century, Never Been Kissed (1999)
Grease (1978)
Grease, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, is one of the best musicals ever made, and modern audiences still enjoy the film... but that hasn't stopped some from analyzing it with a more critical eye.
Grease (1978)
It's easy to forget that the lyrics of Summer Nights are downright terrifying: "Tell me more, tell me more / Was it love at first sight? /Tell me more, tell me more / Did she put up a fight?"
Grease (1978)
There are also multiple scenes where Danny doesn't get consent from Sandy before initiating intimacy: Once on the beach, and once at the drive-in movie theater.
At the drive-in, Sandy gets so upset about Danny's romantic advances, she runs away.
Grease (1978)
Finally, the overall message that Sandy has to change who she is for Danny doesn't sit right with some. The character ultimately transforms from a pure good girl into a seductive bad girl, wearing a skintight leather outfit in the final scenes.
The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook is considered one of the most romantic films ever made, with an ending devastating enough to melt any cold heart. However, there are some deeply troubling aspects of Noah and Allie's tumultuous relationship.
Warner Bros., The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook (2004)
Perhaps it can be boiled down to Noah's youth, but his reckless and manipulative strategy to ask Allie out on a date at the beginning of the movie really isn't as romantic as we remember.
Warner Bros., The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook (2004)
Noah forces himself onto Allie's ferris wheel seat, and ends up dangling from the ride, threatening to let go and plummet to his death if she doesn't agree to go out with him. If this is supposed to be a romantic gesture, call me confused.
Warner Bros., The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook (2004)
The film frames Noah and Allie's aggressive, and sometimes physical fights, as passionate—but in truth, they aren't as healthy a couple as they seem.
Warner Bros., The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook (2004)
Finally, when Allie reunites with Noah years after their relationship has ended, she is already engaged to another man—a very nice man. However, the character throws all caution to the wind and cheats on her fiancé.
Warner Bros., The Notebook (2004)
Big (1988)
It can be hard to hate on a Tom Hanks film, especially when you adored it as a child. However, upon a recent rewatch of Big, the red flags were flying.
Big (1988)
Tom Hanks plays a 13-year-old name Josh Baskin whose wish to become "big" actually comes true. He gets trapped in an adult body and all kinds of hilarious shenanigans ensue...
Then he lands an adult job and meets a coworker named Susan, played by Elizabeth Perkins.
Big (1988)
This film decides to follow the love story between a 12-year-old (in a man's body) and an adult woman. Having these two pursue a very intimate relationship was a choice. But things get even stranger once the truth comes out.
Big (1988)
One of the final scenes of the film goes like this:
Susan: "So, uh, what—what are you, 15, 16?"
Josh: "I'm—I'm 13."
Susan: "Well, that explains it."
Even after knowing that she's been in a relationship with a 13-year-old the entire time, she tells him, "Ten years, who knows? Maybe you should hold on to my number." Yikes.
Love Actually (2003)
There's actually many questionable things about Love Actually—a holiday favorite that, in retrospect, has some seriously strange storylines.
Universal, Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually (2003)
Keira Knightley and Andrew Lincoln might have the most unsettling story. Lincoln plays Mark, a man desperately in love with his best friend's fiancé, Juliet, played by Knightley. However, these unrequited feelings take a creepy turn.
Universal, Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually (2003)
At Juliet's wedding, Mark is the helpful best man, taking videos of the celebration. Does he do a good job? Not at all.
He aims his camera at Juliet the entire time, letting his blatant obsession with her shine through. If there was any moment for him to reign himself in, this was it. All of the footage is of Juliet—zoom-ins and all.
Universal, Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually (2003)
When Juliet finally sees the wedding footage, the alarm bells go off. But she's not as weirded out as one might expect. Later, when Mark shows up at her door with boombox and cue cards to declare his love, Juliet seems... touched?
After he walks off, she decides to chase him down and kiss him... and then goes back inside the house to hang out with her husband. Very romantic.
Universal, Love Actually (2003)
Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)
Breakfast at Tiffany's is heralded as a classic romantic comedy. Based on a Truman Capote novel and starring the iconic Audrey Hepburn, what could possibly go wrong?
Well, one character in particular was a mistake.
Paramount, Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)
Mickey Rooney plays Mr. Yunioshi, the Japanese landlord. Of course, Mickey Rooney is a white man playing a Japanese character. Even worse, he embodies some of the worst Asian stereotypes ever to be seen in Hollywood.
Paramount, Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)
Even at the time, people understood that Mickey Rooney's character was racist. In his review for The Hollywood Reporter, James Powers said, "Mickey Rooney gives his customary all to the part of a Japanese photographer, but the role is a caricature and will be offensive to many."
Paramount, Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)
In repose to the criticism, Mickey Rooney was shocked and apparently hadn't heard too many complaints. Knowing that his performance had caused serious offense, he later stated, "I wouldn't have done it. Those that didn't like it, I forgive them and God bless America, God bless the universe, God bless Japanese, Chinese, Indians, all of them and let's have peace."
Paramount, Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Made Of Honor (2008)
Made of Honor is a 2008 friends-to-lovers romantic comedy—and sadly, viewing it in 2024, was a cringeworthy experience.
Made Of Honor (2008)
Patrick Dempsey plays a womanizer named Tom who is friends with a very sweet, talented woman named Hannah. But when Hannah ends up engaged to a rich, wonderful Scottish Duke named Colin, Tom gets jealous and suddenly wants Hannah for himself.
Made Of Honor (2008)
Supported by his group of male friends, he plans to "steal the bride." Are we supposed to be rooting for Tom? After all, Hannah has already won the jackpot with Colin...
Made Of Honor (2008)
Hannah ends up making Tom her Maid of Honor, which spark some very unfunny jokes implying that this makes his character "gay." However, the ending might be the worst part.
Made Of Honor (2008)
Though Colin recognized how wonderful Hannah was the moment he met her, he still isn't the man she chooses. Instead, she crushes his heart, dumping him at the altar so that she can be with Tom—the playboy who friendzoned her for years.
Happily ever after? I guess?
Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones' Diary is still a beloved romantic comedy, but it's hard not to watch the movie and see all the plot points that simply wouldn't fly today.
Universal, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
The film opens up with the main character Bridget making New Years Resolutions, and some of them have a fatphobic bent to them. She wants to lose "twenty pounds," and is afraid of dying "fat and alone."
Universal, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
In addition to the fat-shaming, Bridget's inappropriate relationship with her boss at work raises some chilling questions about consent, as in one scene he fondles her bottom in the elevator. She even gets inappropriate attention from her uncle at a Christmas party.
Universal, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
Overall, Bridget's standards for her love interests are painfully low. Sure, her boss Daniel is the scum of the earth, but even Colin Firth's character, Mark Darcy, is a tough nut to crack.
Universal, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
In the beginning of the film, Darcy absolutely drags Bridget with an insult, calling her a “verbally incontinent spinster who smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish." But don't worry, he fixes that scorched earth scenario by later confessing, "I like you just the way you are."
