Ah, swear words! We’re taught from such a young age to abstain from using profane language that the desire to use it becomes almost inherent the older we get. An f-bomb here, a slip of the tongue there, these words have been cultivated to be an important part of our modern day vernacular, no matter how taboo they’ve been considered historically.
In film, swear words are the difference between a PG-13 or an R-rating; they’re the unforgettable final line muttered by a scorned Rhett Butler in “Gone With The Wind,” or in a whirlwind performance by Ben Kingsley in Jonathan Glazer‘s terrific “Sexy Beast.” In a new video essay from Now You See It, we learn more about the aesthetics of cursing in film. The origins of swearing are biblical, as people truly believed that using the lord’s name in vain would provide some cataclysmic consequences centuries ago. Nowadays, though, this is commonplace, almost to the point of desensitizing the public when they hear or see something grotesque.
In a film like “Fargo,” the Coen Brothers created Jerry Lundegaard (perfectly played by William H. Macy), the quintessential sap who never raised his voice but was treated horrendously by others. Everyone spoke down to Jerry, that is, until he snapped and retaliated with his own slightly-pathetic comeback. The language represented everything Jerry was not, despite his actions. Quentin Tarantino is no stranger to a vulgar word or two, whether it’s Samuel L. Jackson‘s Jules Winnfield delivering an unforgettable monologue, or Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) exchanging threats with his boss at the breakfast table. The use of language in Tarantino’s films develops the hierarchy for the characters – where they stand in society, and amongst their peers. Language takes on an entirely other role in films like “Full Metal Jacket” or “Whiplash,” where authority figures use curse words for both comedic and demeaning purposes, adding depth to the characters on both the giving and receiving end of the rage.
What’s your favorite moment of profanity from a film? Let us know in the comments below.