Actor Ryan Reynolds is drawing some criticism for his negative characterizations of the 1980s.
The remarks came Tuesday night, September 1, at the New York premiere of Mayday, his new Cold War comedy set in 1987. Reynolds was criticizing the tendency to romanticize the 1980s. Speaking to journalists, the Canadian-American actor said:
“When you get far enough away from a time period that’s quite distinct, there’s always a lovely feeling associated with it, almost like you pave over all the trauma with puppy dogs and ice cream.”
“The 80s was a brutal, brutal time for people. It was a fucking mess and people forget that.”
“It was a tremendous strife. Sociopolitical tensions everywhere. We were still pretty fresh off the Cuban missile crisis, which was only 15–20 years before. It’s a tumultuous period, but you look back at it now and you’re like, ‘Oh, yeah. Top Gun. Cocaine!’ Like, ‘No!’ It was really scary.”
Regular readers will know that I’m an unabashed fan of the 1980s. I’d take that decade back in a heartbeat. So Reynolds and I definitely disagree here. Continue reading “Ryan Reynolds and the trashing of the 1980s”