Top 10 Most Controversial Films in LRF History

 

Sherman J. Pearson here for another Top 10. This season featured a great deal of controversy already earlier this season with the reaction to Slowly Dying. This got me thinking about some of the most controversial films in LRF history. I did have some trouble narrowing the list down to ten, so I have included some honorable mentions as well. Also, I don't normally go into too much detail or context, but I felt this specific category kind of requires it.

Top 10 Most Controversial Films in LRF History

10. Trigger

• Suicide bomber as main character. 'Nuff said.

9. The William Hung Story

• William Hung was already maligned enough for his lack of talent, but Alex Conn's script also added in fictional suicidal ideations to the real figure in a manner some were offended by.

8. Runaway

• Possibly the biggest surprise Best Picture winner of all time. Eight films had higher Metascores during Season 8, but somehow Runaway came out on top.

7. Obsession

• I recall writer Mo Buck not appreciating the reviews at the time, as the film received mixed reviews and were accused of missing the point. Writers calling out critics always invites controversy.

6. Lovestruck

• Main character promotes sexist misogynistic behavior, yet is painted heroically by Alex Conn's script. Possibly the least likable "hero" in LRF history.

5. Isla Vista

• Sometimes a writer (or writers) can make unlikable figures into compelling characters by diving into their psyche and trying to dissect why they do what they do (Lon Charles is a master at this). The script for Isla Vista didn't manage to provide any insight into Elliot Rodger or his actions - I doubt there were any to be had really. 

4. The Youngest Hart

• The script painted Reese Witherspoon's villainous mother as a complete cartoon character, which led to plenty of controversy. Despite all that, Witherspoon still managed a GRA nomination.

3. High Society

• The film itself wasn't anything special or controversial based on its script. This one makes the list because of the uproar writer James Morgan made when he disagreed with the critics' (mostly Jeff Stockton) assessment of the story and of his casting process.

2. Columbine

• Alex Conn's script provided zero insight into the two teenagers who infamously shot up their high school. The film not only feels exploitive, but the script also seemed to know nothing about its subject matter, dragging the families involved through the muck without even being factually accurate.

1. Slowly Dying

• The newest member of the list. Even if writer Alex Conn (making his 5th appearance in this Top 10) did not intend for his script or characters to come across as antisemitic, it clearly did come across that way. If that wasn't enough, his online arguments toward Jeff Stockton and other writers and critics only added to the controversy surrounding his latest film. 

Honorable Mentions:

The Cry of the Night Lady

• The film has a rare NC-17 Rating and shocking sex and violence (and sexual violence).

Hated: The Ballad of GG Allin

• GG Allin himself was always controversial as a performer, which this film leaned into in its portrayal. 

Green Arrow 3: SuperMax

• This one makes the honorable mentions list only due to its leading man, Armie Hammer, as the film was released very shortly after the star was accused of sexual violence (although the film had already been written and been in pre-production before that).

Graduation Trip

• Offensively unfunny comedy featuring jokes about AIDs, gay sex (and possible rape), a principal having sex with students, and autism. Not featured: laughter.

Chris, Travis & Juliet

• Chris, Travis & Juliet features a character (its protagonist even) violently castrated THEN shot to death. Do I need to say more?

Firestorm

• The story itself doesn't invite much controversy, but its outcome did as it became the first (and only) DC Comics Universe production to lose money at the box office.