By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Often when discussing 1980s comedies like REVENGE OF THE NERDS, ANIMAL HOUSE, PORKY’S and POLICE ACADEMY, one can’t help but mention uncomfortable sequences involving sexual assault, misconduct and straight-up rape that were used for comedic purposes.
For the most part, movies are warier of situations like this and don’t include such content. At least, I thought that was the case until I rewatched BRING IT ON (2000). Maybe, we just don’t notice them. Case in point, I have watched this cheerleader chick-flick more times than I’d like to admit. It’s one of those movies, I throw on when there’s nothing new to watch and I want a teenybopper modern comedy. When I’ve already gotten through the better options of MEAN GIRLS (2004) and EASY A (2010), BRING IT ON is an easy go-to; or until recently it was.
A few days ago, while dealing with insomnia and the need to avoid thinking, I saw BRING IT ON was on NETFLIX. So, I put it on, expecting nothing but a wasted hour and a half. Other than noticing some blatant homophobic jokes hidden behind the ruse of having one of the leads being gay, I didn’t notice much. That was until, Eliza Dushku’s character Missy Pantone was first picked up by Torrance (Kirsten Dunst), Jan (Nathan West) and Les (Huntley Ritter). For those who want to view the insane scene for themselves, it’s at the 31-minute mark.
Les was driving and the foursome began talking about whether the two men were gay. From that moment on, I was disgusted, shocked and a bit outraged. Male cheerleader Jan, who is intended to be a ‘nice guy’ talks about how fellow cheerleader Courtney (Clare Kramer) doesn’t wear underwear and how his “digits” slip sometime. Now, Courtney is played off as a bitch, nonetheless Jan just admitted to sliding his fingers inside of her without consent.
At this point, I was extremely disturbed, but not as disturbed as when everyone in the car cracks up laughing about it. The only one close to being offended is Les who tells him that Courtney not wearing underwear is “no excuse” but just like everyone else, Les finds it hilarious.
As a follow-up at the 1 hour 3 minute mark, we actually see Jan shoving his thumb up Courtney who looks uncomfortable and even in pain. After being let down, Courtney slaps Jan and runs off as Jan smiles at his thumb as if he did something great.
So, Jan committed sexual assault and there were zero consequences.
Out of curiosity, I wanted to see who wrote this film. To my outrage it was a woman. I contacted writer Jessica Bendinger on Twitter and in the one defense I give her, she responded to me a few times. She claimed that my interpretation of what happened was wrong and that the sexual act was consensual. I asked repeatedly for her to show me where it was consensual but she stopped responding. I included her actual tweets so that in the event they are deleted, there is record of the conversation and her defense of the comedy she wrote.
Despite Bendinger’s denial, BRING IT ON not only makes light of rape culture but encourages it as acceptable behavior.
I sincerely hope that when one allows their young daughters to view this that they are aware of the message and have the necessary conversation as to why these elements within the film are not only unfunny, but detrimental to women.
Jessica Bendinger should apologize for including the glorification and celebration of sexual assault in what was masqueraded as a fun female empowerment movie.
TWEETS FROM JESSICA BENDINGER:
