Stereotypical. Androgenic. And therefore bound by its own limitations.
But just like you cannot teasing toddlers strugging with something as simple as a pair of scissors, or a four-piece jigsaw puzzle, you cannot critisise an early, or even ground-breaking at that time, attempt to explore topics as complex as social justice and humanity, just because you have grown out of its seemingly simple-headed, black-and-white perspectives thanks to a considerably more open and egalitarian social environment in the modern age. It would be easier and more natural, I assume, to identify with the upright, hot-headed, 'cops' cop' figure like White himself than with Exley, in its own time when people took for granted what would be considered controversial in the world we are now living in.
Too many experiences to even begin with. Like how easy to judge the overly idealistic and explicit portrait of heroes in The Last of Mohicans and western coyboy flicks in the 80s and 90s. Even later productions that were intended to tap into the murky ambuigity of morality and justice, such as Dance with Wolves and Philadelphia, seem to have bitten more than they could chew, addressing an issue that might be too grand to be relatable.
After all, a personal angle is essential. Something that is not too elevated from the conflicted and primitive desires for connection, intimacy and sense of security that are genetically coded in the very existence of humanity and therefore shared by the entire human race. Something that looks into the most vulnerable and secretive aspects of lust, want, passion and pleasure, and deciphers the absurdity of decisions made in response.
It's good, though not always, to look back, to see how far we have gone and will go. If we are able to see what we can see on the giant's shoulder, do we need to constantly acknowledge all the views we have seen on our way up. The answer is yes. However, do we need to flip every time someone points out the limitations by which we were restricted? I hardly think so. So, to stay current and to look forward may not be so evil after all .
It wouldn't hurt to be subtle, in a way that connotes flexibility and humility.
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