Leave it to the entertainment trade publication known as Variety to inject race into just about everything. While reviewing the new animated film The Peanuts Movie, film critic Peter Debruge said he wished the film would have more “diversity” and a “Non-White Love Interest” for the main character:
Like most classic jokes, “Peanuts” isn’t so much funny as mildly amusing, which is evidently one of the many aspects of Schulz’s legacy that his son Craig and grandson Bryan fought to protect as screenwriters and producers on the film (evidently trumping genuinely hilarious collaborator Paul Feig). But a little modernization wouldn’t have hurt, especially in the diversity department. While Franklin remains Charlie Brown’s only brown friend, a non-white love interest would have been as progressive as Schulz’s tomboyish depiction of Peppermint Patty was back in the day.
Yeah, “progressive”… The question that should boggle people’s minds as they read this is, “Why are you injecting race into a film review when there’s no need for politics in a non-political and classic franchise such as Peanuts?” This is yet another reason no one trusts the media these days.
The Peanuts Movie is a 20th Century Fox production, and is set for release this Friday.