In the film The Perfect Score, directed by Brian Robbins, the lead characters and the rest of the cast are Caucasian, except for one Asian American named Leonardo Nam, who plays the role of Roy.
While the other main characters are all fairly normal people, the single Asian character of Roy definitely embodies a stereotype that lasts throughout the entire film. Whenever Roy enters the scene, the mood changes. He is portrayed as the funny and clumsy character who is not attractive to women. He is however, good at math, which makes the team need him to figure out the password, so that they can steal the SAT answer key. However, the team thinks he is an unnecessary person because he is very clumsy and stupid – they are just using him, showing that they do not consider him a real friend.
Because his character is that of funny guy, whenever he comes out and does pot, plays video games, or makes funny comments, the background music of the film changes as well, into light, soft music that fits his character. Through the sound associated with the character, the movie’s mood is changed.
The question is, why does the Asian American have to play the funny and ridiculous character? Why can’t the character be Caucasian? If a Caucasian male did the role, it would not be as funny because he is Caucasian. It was funny and “made sense” because an Asian American played Roy’s character. This is because the Asian American stereotype has existed for such a long time that it has almost become natural. The stereotype has a big impact on Asian Americans and whatever they do; it follows them like a scarlet letter.
The film industry plays a major part in the existence of these stereotypes, because most people get the ideas from movies; therefore the industry should try not to incorporate stereotypes, because not everyone falls perfectly into these categories.
The question is, why does the Asian American have to play the funny and ridiculous character? Why can’t the character be Caucasian? If a Caucasian male did the role, it would not be as funny because he is Caucasian. It was funny and “made sense” because an Asian American played Roy’s character. This is because the Asian American stereotype has existed for such a long time that it has almost become natural. The stereotype has a big impact on Asian Americans and whatever they do; it follows them like a scarlet letter.
The film industry plays a major part in the existence of these stereotypes, because most people get the ideas from movies; therefore the industry should try not to incorporate stereotypes, because not everyone falls perfectly into these categories.
I ask myself the same question why cant they put the Caucasian to be the comedian instead they put the Asian boy. i agree with the fact that the film industry has a major part in the existence of the stereotypes but it is also the people who are influenced by it.
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