Pure Country and Stereotype Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pure Country and Stereotype - Movie Review Example Stereotype denotes simplified and fixed image of all members of a culture or group. Stereotypes are often based on race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, and national origins (Stereotypes 2006). In Pure Country, Dusty is the stereotypical country musician-with a big hanging beard and ponytail. In today's modern thinking, mentioning the word country musician would paint a picture of a man with his long hair tied in ponytail and big beard clutching a stringed instrument. This stereotype emerged from the image of popular country musicians like Willie Nelson. This depiction of country musician has a very interesting history. Country music is an integration of the music types in the Southern America including traditional music, Gospel music, Celtic music, blues, and old time music (Peterson 1999). Before the term "country music" is coined and is used to denote to this amalgam, country music is more popularly known as hillbilly music because of its Southern American origin (Peterson 1999). Hillbilly became derogatory as it denotes the stereotypical dwellers of the rural and mountainous areas of southern Appalachia who are described as "free and untrammeled white citizen of Alabama, who lives in the hills, has no means to speak of, dresses as he can, talks as he pleases, drinks whiskey when he gets it, and fires off his revolver as the fancy takes him" (Harkins 1900). Thus, a country musician being an unprofessional one is the typical hillbilly who thrives in the mountain where shaves and barber shops are unpopular. On the other hand, the story of Pure Country is reflects the romance that viewers would want to get from a love story. The movie revolves on the typical plot that the life of a celebrity is empty without finding true love. In the movie, Dusty is a very popular and accomplished musician yet there is emptiness in his heart. It shows the stereotype that celebrities do not find fulfillment in fame and money. It clearly portrays the sad realities which are not captured by the limelight. In the present world, the life of celebrities has been exposed giving the audience a glimpse of what really happens in the life of showbiz personalities. The emergence of this stereotypical depiction of a celebrities' life is the product of the realities in show business. Britney Spears sings it clearly "She's so lucky, she's a star but she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart thinking, if there's nothing missing in her life then why do these tears come at night." This stereotype portrayed in the movie bridges the gap between audience and celebrities by stressing that fame does not bring the complete happiness that an individual desires. In a positive way, it enables audience to appreciate the things that they have like family and loved ones instead of aspiring to be admired by fans. The stereotypes explored above are being taken advantage by business organizations to profit in their operations. Country music artists are to depict a stereotypical hillbilly-big beard and long hair. On the other hand, some companies stress the beauty of being a simple individual with family than someone who is rich and famous. An example of another movie with this theme is Family Man which starred Nicholas Cage and Tea Leonie. Stereotypes often hinder society from seeing what is really there, but this