Why Hollywood Elites Rejected ‘Hillbilly Elegy’

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I review the film 'Hillbilly Elegy,' which has been the focus of much controversy online due to the stark divide between fan and critic reviews.

[@meisong0717]

Low critic score, high audience score, it’s a good movie. High critic score, low audience score, it’s a woke movie.

[@demondialga1341]

Audience reviews are generally more helpful now

[@hertywerty5775]

High critic score,low audience score, its a shitty movie

[@scabthecat]

Before watching anything nowadays, I google ' Is it woke?' I can't stand the moralising masquerading as entertainment.

[@arizonahascactus9697]

@@demondialga1341 I never read reviews of a film before I see it. But I will on occasion read them AFTER I see a film, and for sure, if I liked it, critics hated it.

[@terrygallo8999]

That’s literally how I look at movies now when I’m thinking of watching one. From roughly 2011 and prior.

[@Universal15862]

Its almost as if drugs and broken homes result in the same outcome regardless of skin color. Shocking.

[@MusicalSavior23]

You hammered that nail with one strike

[@jasonvoorhees895]

Indeed, sir

[@nancyj9892]

Isn't that the truth. You ought to come have a look at our families around here. Color has nothing to do with it. Drugs, alcohol, perversion, is very apparent in all walks of life. But pretending people can't overcome it, is horrible. Our areas around VA and KY are so poor. And just to add, Clinton's/Obama's finished them off by taking away their coal mines, tobacco, etc.

[@kerimcandrew4628]

Love this!!!

[@michellej5437]

Exactly!

[@diqflip205]

As a black man, especially a young black man in college I related to this movie so much. I saw myself in JD; Someone who wants to do great things but family always gets in the way and feels like they’re dragging you down almost. One of the best films I’ve seen lately The critics dont know shit

[@nealandersen4867]

Brilliant, thanks

[@mikeg3439]

So true. White, grew up in poor parts of San Bernardino County (including living room floors, one time the storage pod of a sailboat, not kidding). Older brothers who threatened to beat me if I didn't do drugs with them. You can guess the rest. I feel ya. Doing good now, thank God.

[@justinmccoy7167]

Its unfortunate that this culture of disfunction has been tied to race. Poor people problems exist in every race. Urban black people and rural whites often experience the same hardship. People just decided that because suburban and urban whites have money that all white people have it made just because they are white. Simple not true.

[@mikeg3439]

@@LynneSimpson-mm3us Thanks! Yes, I have had more than my share of luck over 55 years. Hope you are doing well too.

[@denabergman6543]

Critics reviews are still subjective. They get paid for their job. The point is you enjoyed the film. That’s all that matters.

[@michellemarie123]

I take it as a GOOD sign 👍🏻👍🏻 any time the so-called “Hollywood Elite” rejects anything.

[@juliacosmo4]

Definitely!

[@mikeg3439]

Having worked in Hollywood for 7 years in the 90's, I can assure you anything they say as a hive organism, is suspect, period. I have never put any stock in the opinionated crap celebrities fart out. A lot of them are decent enough people mind you, but that's not a qualification to be a lecturer on any subject you choose.

[@circesoul2218]

Years ago, I couldn't wait to see boyhood because the critics were raving about it. I'm still mad I wasted time watching that boring movie.

[@shawnjackson2724]

Change the color white to black we have an academy award winning in All movie categories

[@dannymontoya9469]

YEAP

[@ISoldKen]

How would making this movie an all black cast change anything. The plot of the movie has already been in other movies for years.

[@infiniLor]

@@ISoldKen whoosh

[@Landofalcon007]

Nah, if it showed a black guy succeeding by making the right choices, instead of relying on welfare and democrat handouts, they'd pan it just the same. Bet they hate Pursuit of Happyness now.

[@4Distractiononly]

No they would think it's trying to minimize systematic racism by having a "token Black person" who White people can use to deny their worldviews.

[@brianhunley5302]

I grew up in West virginia. Broken family, addicted to drugs for 17years. God delivered me from addiction in prison. Been out 6 years and I have a house, wife, baby, and my own heating and cooling company. I give God all the glory.

[@xanthippus3190]

That's amazing man, I like stories like yours.

[@TaraNikita]

Good for you. God bless.

[@johnhough9593]

Good for you. God bless

[@johnhough9593]

@@TaraNikita I wrote the same before I saw your reply... jinx

[@crossanwich]

God is good!

[@barbaratye-townsel6674]

I totally identify. I grew up extremely poor, sometimes living in a tent with my family. I graduated HS, joined the Army, worked various jobs after I discharged. Then I tried college and ended up graduating with a doctorate degree in psychology. As a clinical psychologist I recognized how my cultural upbringing made me stand out from the cultural elitist that I found in the ranks of psychology. I worked with Veterans and was told many times how much they enjoyed seeing me because I was 'real'. Making good decisions can change things. I was the only member of my family to ever attend college, but now my sister (a US Air Force Veteran) has a degree, my 70 year old mother was 1 class from her degree when she died, and both my sons served in the Navy and went to college. God Bless America.

[@vickygoddard3884]

It's all about believing in yourself. God doesn't make trash. But our self-evaluation, can let us rise, or going nowhere fast. You chose right, like JD Vance did. God bless you for seeing someone in the mirror who had value.🎉💖

[@2x2is22]

​@vickygoddard3884 No, it's all about joining the military. It will build character, instill discipline, and give you job skills. You get your college paid for and get home loans with low interest rates. That's what this commenter and JD Vance truly have in common. If you want to dig yourself out of the poverty hole, go take that oath.

[@ernestcote3398]

@@2x2is22 I've thought that the US needs to make a new rule; once you graduate from high school, every American must spend at least one year in either military or charity support. It will give them time to think, it will give them access to other people and places and learn it's not all what you are told, there are unique things to learn. Plus they'll have responsibilities, teamwork and (it's supposed to be) a life-learning instance.

[@HulaHoopBunny]

Nice to meet you! I’m also from the rural poor south, a child of drug addicts, a USAF veteran and obtained my PhD in psychology as well.

[@kimladd5100]

@@barbaratye-townsel6674 Thank you for sharing your story and for your service. I worked with veterans for several years through a therapeutic equestrian program that became very pivotal in their recovery from PTSD, MST and many other post-combat and long-term stressors. I hold such respect for every one of them. The VA desperately needs many more psychologists, social workers, and therapists like you! (I have written my senator about some of the “treatment” that I have heard really occurs at the VA. ) God bless you and God bless the USA 🇺🇸

[@HuntertheVegan]

Who’s here after he got announced as Trumps running mate?

[@carolemerritt3763]

Me

[@christinapomponio6452]

🤙

[@ireadbooksandhaveopinions]

👋🏾

[@jasonbeedon9867]

Me

[@wsbs520]

🙋‍♂️

[@lt.danicecream]

A lot of people have come up in the exact life that this movie is about. Poverty doesn't care what color you are

[@dglenn803]

100%. I grew up in a single wide trailer my family had zero money. I now make six figures a year.

[@Holly-Berry]

@@dglenn803 - Yaaaaasss 🥳! Good for you.

[@darunealbane]

Same .. white welfare single mom that busted her butt to get out of it by the time i was 12 we was upper lower .. now we are middle middle

[@Holly-Berry]

Love that last line! All this focus on race has taken attention away from class. And wealth inequality is arguably a bigger problem than racism.

[@maryehaneymaryehaney]

Absolutely. I read Hillbilly Elegy right after the book was published and knew it would make a fantastic movie. This could have happened in my home state of West Virginia. I was happy that Ron Howard chose to bring it to the screen, because he only makes good-to-great movies. That the Hollywood elites attacked one of their own (Howard is the liberal's liberal) tells you about the state of this country. No one is permitted to disagree with the left, under threat of being canceled - or worse. This is not a political movie, but is the moving true story of growing up dirt poor, overcoming the odds, and making it big. J.D. Vance is undoubtedly a multi-millionaire these days - good for him, I say!! By the way, I had no idea that "Mamaw" was actually Glenn Close until I read the credits. Oscar-worthy performance, but I bet she'll be overlooked because of the perceived themes of this movie.

[@ozarked2363]

I'm a 6th generation Scots-Irish Ozarks hillbilly. I was the first person in either side of my family to graduate from college. My dad was a high school dropout who drank himself to death at the age of 62. My sister is a nurse practitioner. My brother is a CPA. I own a small business. All of our kids have Masters Degrees. Most of our role models were examples of what not to do in life except for our Grandma. She held us accountable and encouraged us to change the family tree. She was also tough enough to hunt grizzlies with a hickory switch.

[@blankistblankophobe9078]

We Ozarkers are no strangers to hardship. Well done!

[@RLaraMoore]

😊 the grizzlies hadn't a chance!

[@11UncleBooker22]

When we know better we should do better, thanks for setting a good example.

[@bbeige54]

I don’t get the hypocrisy of the liberals. You cannot use the “N word” and since a few years ago “fag” is now off limits and as of late you can’t use “fat.” However all the late night talk show hosts still mimic or make fun of the south with a “hillbilly” drawl. Why is that acceptable?

[@goldengryphon]

@@bbeige54 It's also okay to make fun and "hate on" white men, while making fun of and "hating" white women. The people who make fun of Southerners seem to think that the majority of people in the South are small-minded, uneducated, and of limited means. They definitely can't string enough words together to sound coherent, and they are white, except for the minorities who are better people all around. Oh, and Southern hillbillies make up the majority of the upper classes in the South and host amazingly stupid gala events for practically no reason, are stupid business people, and make do with insulting each other and tear each other down in droves. (I'm mindful of the fact that I was raised on military bases, mostly in The South, and grew up essentially colorblind - it's just skin, which say nothing about the person inside - but my grandmother had never seen a black person except on the TV until we brought her down to live with us.)

[@traviselrod7803]

I think it’s incredibly moving that someone from JD’s background is now a leading candidate for vice president of the United States.

[@OpenHLZFocus]

Adams 😀 and Close😀 are always at the forefront making different, sharp, 😊🙃interesting films that open the mind to what has already been said a 😐thousand times and which is a lie about human issues.😎

[@buckystarfinger2487]

Wish JD Vance was the POTUS pick. Trump says to many stupid things. Smart move on his part to pick Vance.

[@OpenHLZFocus]

@@buckystarfinger2487 It is possible that he says bizarre 😎things, not correct🙃 and mocking, or stupid ⁉️according to you, but he is not stupid at all.😁 I wouldn't dare compare myself in balls or intelligence. 🌟Vance is a perfect plan for Trump and vice versa. It will be epic to see them. Bye, from Europe 🏰🇪🇺🥐🍷

[@kendrickdinger]

@@buckystarfinger2487I bet he’ll run in 2028

[@markmoran9272]

A political candidate who actually really DID come from less than humble roots from a drug addicted single mother from the wrong side of the tracks and pulled himself up by the bootstraps to become a prominent politician instead of all the ones who pretend to be in their campaign commercials to try to appeal to “common people.” How refreshing that we can actually learn who someone REALLY IS rather than a phony persona they create to try to win votes.

[@rootsrocksfeathers1975]

I'm sick of the extreme poverty in Appalachia being ignored, as if it's a myth. There is an epidemic of "Mountain Dew Mouth", aka rotten teeth from carbonated sugared drinks, among those people, bet few have ever heard of that. It's a world no one seems to know about anymore. Missionaries go to foreign countries as if poverty and disconnection only exists in places like Haiti, when they have a rich fertile ground here in our country. Appalachia is ignored.

[@helenjohnson4505]

That has alway been Question of mine!

[@michelemarino3579]

Actually, there are churches that send missionaries to Appalachia.

[@deboraholsen2504]

I was raised in California, but my Mom taught me about the people in Appalachia when I was in elementary school.

[@vickygoddard3884]

I agree 100%, I grew up with 12 brothers and sisters. And till God got a hold of me, I even looked down on others who had less than we did. Stupid! I realized we can be bad or better. It's our choice. Thanks for your post.

[@CT-ob2bw]

Absolute freakin truth!

[@Neorott]

This video made me cry. I have the almost exact life story that Vance does. I was raised in extreme poverty by violently abusive parents in the Appalachian mountains. Parents divorced when I was nine. Mom remarried a high level drug dealer. My dad was a biker that sold moonshine. I was abused emotionally, physically and sexually. My wife has said more times than I can count that I should write a book, but I can't. I can't relive it like that. I don't want it on paper. I'd probably have a break down. But, having said all that. I made the choice to leave all that as soon as I could. Joined the Navy at 17 to escape. I made the choice to stop the cycle. I didn't go to Harvard Law, but I went to college. I became an engineer and an entrepreneur. By my choices and by the grace and blessings of God, I changed the path of my life. I kid you not, this happened to me: I was invited to the home of a successful doctor in CA in '87 as one of several dinner guests. I was chatting with a lady, who was wearing some very expensive jewelry, if you get my meaning. She asked me where I was from. I told her. And she says to me, quote "But you sound so intelligent." close quote. I didn't even flinch. I refused to let her see any reaction from me at all. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

[@xanthippus3190]

It's good to read that you eventually improved your situation and broke the cycle, mad respects.

[@Really250]

I am glad you over came your crosses and made your life better. I am sorry you suffered much.

[@VictorUmeh]

Well done and thanks for sharing your testimony. I dare to say write that book. You'd never tell how people's lives you'd would touch or change by your story.

[@serkg4672]

Write a book. It will be your legacy.

[@getoverit2789]

My hat is off to you! Thank you for sharing.

[@AndyKazama2]

Meanwhile critics adore Cuties. Something is up.

[@tikimurtaugh4919]

Maybe the critics are just really into little kids

[@debrajohnson382]

Seems that the critics are a bunch of pedophiles.

[@sgtbaker81]

Recommended by 9 out of 10 kid diddlers!

[@barimayberry]

Exactly

[@monkeygraborange]

Critics adore Cuties because it's China Joe's favorite flick!

[@rebeccajaron]

I never thought once this story was political. I thought this story was about PEOPLE. People in difficult circumstances.

[@hannah-6080]

..... what the fuck do you think politics is 🧐

[@basketball9013]

I know right. I was a little skeptical to watch it because I don't typically like overt politics in movies. I watched it tonight, and when it was over I thought "this is the movie the left hates so much? Where was the right wing politics?" The only thing was one anti-woke statement of "they're called Indians". The reaction this movie got from the left is ridiculous.

[@groovy3443]

then you're oblivious

[@JakeCooper_7]

Everything is political

[@Individual_Lives_Matter]

@@hannah-6080No no no. Politics is about applying ideas to policy making. It comes from real life but it’s not merely about people. The personal is not political.

[@GrandpawTheGreat]

I just saw the movie and saw it as very inspirational. My grandfather immigrated from Ireland in 1915. He had zero money and back then Irish were looked upon as second class citizens. He worked hard as a school janitor, saved his money and invested it well. When he died in 1973 he was worth well over a Million dollars. He may not have gone to Law school but he did own 3 homes in San Francisco and sent his 2 children to college. In America you can improve your lot in life if you truly want to.

[@ambermoon719]

Grandpa The Great - my Grandfather’s parents came to NY from Ireland in the early 1900’s and my Grandpa was a child during the great depression. They were in poverty, but my grandpa worked and went to night school and got degrees in Physics and Engineering. They moved to the California when my dad was 13, and my Grandpa sent all 7 of his Irish Catholic raised children to college. My dad got a degree at Berkeley in Physics, benefitting my sisters and brothers and I. All thanks to my Grandpa O’Keefe. The mental illness and alcoholism on that side of the family is there, but at least not poverty or abuse, thank God.

[@lv4077]

@@GrandpawTheGreat And the government leaves you alone

[@PREISINGPRODUCTIONSsince1912]

“When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are being ruled by criminals.” - Edward Snowden - ELECTION 2020

[@PREISINGPRODUCTIONSsince1912]

The left decided is okay to track our phones - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2i0q55shMipjtk

[@FrostBlackbird]

Why do you leave Snowden quotes everywhere? Is this just some spam bot?

[@ciarfah]

@@FrostBlackbird Just a bot I presume

[@alexanderford121]

@@FrostBlackbird because the left hates it!

[@ctedsa2534]

Snowden gave up his freedom to help us get our freedom back...

[@patmclaughlin107]

I am an Indian immigrant, and I truly admired the book and the movie. Much respect fir JD Vance and people like him that come out of poverty out of hard work.

[@shysmith167]

This is my 80 year old mama's story...alcohol instead of drugs... she was first in large family to graduate high school... then beauty school...then college... then nursing school. With not a dime of help from government or anyone else. She now has a beautiful life with great health and looks upon her Appalachian roots with a great deal of fondness for all the people that made her who she is today ...with love instead of shame. She loves the mountains she came from and the people and the music and the love they shared.

[@Disneydreamgirl33]

Im a hispanic and i related to that film SO much, i couldnt stop crying, it was like watching my life This stuff is real BRAVO to that film And shame on the critics!!

[@perry5509]

Yeah I’m British, middle class and feel exactly the same. The abusive mum, the tough yet caring grandma (in my case aunt)- it’s a very real family dynamic. I think it’s tough to relate to or be interested in if you haven’t experienced it yourself to some degree.

[@daniel_ejs]

same!!!

[@ad8554]

I stumbled upon his book by chance and it was a great read.

[@HusseinDoha]

"Hispanic" is not a race or even real ethnicity, so please specify what you are if you want to talk about your background. ___ I loved this movie because the story and acting were remarkable!!! And I'm black man.

[@jojobean2309]

I am half Native American and in this story I'd play the mom role. I've been clean 6 years now and have my daughter back. She was being taken care of by my mother in law.

[@LobsterPuncher]

I remember when a 25% critics score meant I would normally pass on a movie. Now if critics are united in their hate, it usually means it's worth checking out.

[@jillgilson3900]

I very rarely take notice what critics say after all just because they may not like it doesn't mean you agree with them. But one film I'm not ever going to watch is "cuties" don't like sexualisation in film, music or anything else. Allow children to be children not let them be bombarded with trash "music" like wap YES I SAID TRASH and the "singer " should be ashamed of herself. If and when she may have children of her own what will she say to them if they hear that trash, would she be ok if her daughters were sexualized, raped etc...if she was a decent mother she would not want any child of hers to hear that rubbish, which is where it belongs...IN THE TRASH OR BETTER STILL ON THE BONFIRE.if I ever receive that rubbish that's exactly where it will go ...the bonfire

[@TheEducator89]

😂 I'm the same. I go on Audience score alone since Captain Marvel sucked and Joker was amazeballs!

[@JohnTheSpartan]

Yep! So true! I feel the same. I look for those shitty reviews. I'm like yes,they hate it, this movie must've did something right, I mean they hate PRESIDENT TRUMP ,he must be doing something right.

[@rozannab9701]

Yesss! Like Dave Chappelle sticks and stones

[@theeclectic2919]

@@jillgilson3900 Critics aren't experts in anything. They are just people with opinions. Anyone can be one. If you're a critic in Hollywood, you have to be a woke leftist if you want to keep your job.

[@ctedsa2534]

I definitely didn't see any "White Privilege" in this movie...

[@willhay6148]

If J D Vance was female, it would have received better reviews!

[@ctedsa2534]

@@willhay6148 ain't that the sad truth...

[@RRtradestar]

Instead of blowing up white stereotypes, they showed a story of someone who actually experienced real life and that confuses and bothers libtards.

[@mistercontroversial]

@@joerovar Just about to comment this.

[@MrJohnnyWheeler]

And therein lies the issue for regressive leftists.

[@noobie1890]

I get the feeling this is rural version of “Precious” But they aren’t black, so it doesn’t mean anything to critics

[@giverny28]

Or the one about the football player... with Sandra Bullock & Tim McGraw. Boot straps & talent.

[@noobie1890]

@@giverny28 The Blind Side? That movie always makes me hungry for KFC because of the one scene. I guess Sandra Bullock doesn’t like to cook for her family....

[@simonb2109]

@@noobie1890 Blindside was a great film, as was this one. wish people would just enjoy films and peoples stories instead of making everything about skin colour and politics!!

[@brianaguilar8283]

@@giverny28 The Blind Side

[@strawberryshortcake8382]

Only Black Lives Matter huh ?? That’s a bunch of crock. All our lives matter , animals too. Stop catering to one group of ppl when all groups of ppl have the same sad story

[@greglawson2285]

I grew up in Middletown Ohio, we raised our kids 2 blocks from JD’s house. The stuff in the book is 100% accurate About the culture he grew up in about the town. We moved away to Monroe about 5 miles away and JD moved down the road from us. He now lives in Walnut Hills in Cincinnati again about 10 minutes from my son’s house . My son has lived near him all his life yet we never met him or at least don’t remember meeting him.

[@mcgeek4781]

I’m living in a shit show reality. Someone’s story of overcoming incredible adversity is disliked because he’s not woke.

[@lucneesby3009]

Somehow the American dream is now politically incorrect

[@100achillguy7]

@@lucneesby3009 it’s quite literally because people are choosing to subscribe to the fact that it’s just ok to be mediocre and they literally just want it that way

[@klh768]

Because they came out of it themselves without government assistance

[@SketchesofChina]

Liberalism isn’t about overcoming adversity. It’s about staying in adversity so the government can take care of you.

[@nicoleelder1396]

McGeek Totally right. May be no one should elevate himself to overcome hardships and misery and seek to advance to a better life. Let’s just all be lazy parasites and depend on the government give outs.

[@dailyredapple]

As a first generation child to Mexican immigrant parents, I’ve never related so closely to hillbillies prior to this movie. It was great. I saw us in their story tbh

[@geraldhoskins2021]

Hey , thats an awesome comment . as someone who is from Appalachia , we are closer to mex/ Latino immigrants than most people think. Heres a yt channel to check out . SOFT WHITE UNDERBELLY. MARK L does alot of interviews of a lot of different people but check out the ones from Appalachia. Its eye opening . STANDFAST AND GODSPEED

[@redpilltiger5871]

@@geraldhoskins2021 so true. that is great channel

[@mdavis4868]

Exactly they are human stories not white, black, brown, or purple stories. We are all so much more alike than we all know. We need more love and understanding.

[@pandavelli8176]

I grew up in one of these rural white areas, I’ve thought for years we have SO much in common with poor blacks and poor Latinos.

[@dailyredapple]

@@pandavelli8176 yeah, honestly, I was amazed at the similarities. The abusive parents, the drunk father, the psycho mother, childhood moments of biking with the neighborhood kids down to the river, listening to church on the radio, the run down homes, it all hit me hard

[@SpookyEng1]

I was an army brat and grew up in the 80s in what would be considered a lower middle class lifestyle. The my dad got cancer (my mom always blamed it on agent orange exposure). And we moved back with our family in rural Alabama. We struggled but my mom always worked and provided a good life with meager resources. Tim McGraw had it right when he sang about “Drugs or Jesus”. That was our life. I knew if I didn’t do something I would be stuck in that same cycle. Joined the USAF, had a wonderful 26 year career, earned 3 degrees and a second master’s degree after retirement. Now on the cusp of retirement, earning six figures and giving back to my community. I lost many friends to drugs and saw others ruin their lives. I was lucky. My Dad always said “do you want to grow up digging ditches? If not study hard, get and eduction and makes something of yourself, the world isn’t giving you anything.” J.D.’s story resonates with me in the way few recent movies have and the performances, especially Glenn Close were amazing.

[@gdog2831]

One issue with what you said - nothing wrong with digging ditches or any other type of manual work.

[@SpookyEng1]

@@gdog2831 I did plenty of it in my teenage years, farmed, picked cotton worked on diesels.

[@grandmagrace9453]

In My first Childhood home in Indiana We had a two holed out house & our pump was in the kichen sink- Our neighbors across the street had a one hole out house & their pump was In the front yard. I thought we were richer than them. I thought my Grandma was really rich 'cause She lived in a trailer with running water AND an inside bathroom- Then WE got a 3 bedroom trailer with 2 bathrooms! I thought it did not get better than THIS in the whole wide world! Then I went to school & found out most people had running water & inside plumbing.. What took the cake was when I was invited over to someone's house & they had a COLOR TV! My Grandma went out & bought one. It was one of the proudest moments of my life to be able to tell kids in my class MY Grandma had one. My friend Peggy Who came up from Kentucky when she got married? said to me Grace Ann this Movie IS my life. I feel her 100%. I too had a Grandma that made a difference in my life- I'm proud of J.D As if he were my own son for embracing his family His people& his roots- &not being ashamed of Who he came from or Where he came from-& for giving credit where credit is due & honoring his Mawmaw Pawpaw Mom& siblings. God bless him for it. God & Family first. Thats our way.

[@TheBanshee90]

I grew up "Lower Middleclass" in rustbelt indiana. Shit we were pretty fancy compared to most of the people in the region. It is weird when you get past being broke to having money. Once you get those things that felt like they were only for the "rich" you kinda wonder how rich people are so gd broke lol. Like ain't nobody in my old school taking vacations. It wasn't something that happened growing up. I thought shit like Summer Camp was just a Hollywood trope. I got an engineering degree, and now I have friends who take multiple vacation trips just to go skiing. They go outside the US to travel/vacation. I can't even imagine spending a few grand on a week of vacation.

[@JemDandi]

When you have such a high audience score vs a low critic score, it just makes the critics look stupid.

[@gdavis2020]

Same thing happened to the last Dave chappelle special.

[@aranisles8292]

Joker

[@erincarson9749]

If you look at the critic-reviewed score on another movie on Rotten Tomatoes though, you'll see it's not simply stupidity. As of the time of this comment, the scores given to 'Cuties' are a 15% Audience Score... and an 87% Critic Score. It's not just stupidity at this point, it's become utter depravity.

[@-o-dq7nd]

They'll never admit to it

[@Cicelyqed]

Being a movie critic has diverged from the purpose of "Help people decide what they might like to go see over the weekend" to "You're better than them, so tell people what they NEED to watch to be as good as you"

[@Simmons2358]

The fundamental point: You may not be responsible for the position you are in, but YOU are responsible for getting yourself out of the position you are in.

[@makeitcount179]

And sometimes you cant get out. JD is the exception.

[@susanb5058]

@@makeitcount179 if people really want to get out they can. Saying you can’t is just an excuse.

[@matty31272]

Sick people are unable sometimes, depending on their disease or disorder. Others believe they can't because of emotional damage and actually can, but need a mentor to help them overcome the belief that they can't.

[@madisona3907]

Good wisdom, thanks for sharing.

[@gypsyqueen411]

Sometimes there's no way to do that. Sometimes your life is all you know and your not aware that things could be different.

[@Jose-Z1]

It just hit Netflix top 10. Genius move by Trump.

[@jamieba3971]

Trump had nothing to do with the book or the movie. I haven’t seen the movie, but I read the book, and it was excellent.

[@Jose-Z1]

@@jamieba3971 my point being that he choose a VP who had a movie made of him that can promote the man Vance is.

[@carmenrosa8495]

@@Jose-Z1 yes i agree its like campaigning on Netflix because now everyone wants to see the film… it was excellent

[@williambryan3346]

Oddly enough, the book was published eight years ago, and the movie came out four years ago.

[@jonirving5606]

Yep. That is politics, and both sides use what they can. They want the rust belt swing states. I have no issue with Trump choosing Vance in this case. I wanted Byron Donalds as the VP candidate, but the reality is the swing states.

[@jacquelinenieto508]

I just watched the movie. I had preconceived thoughts because of the way he looked in some clips of him I seen in the news. But I knew I had to look into him on my own before I could get behind him for the VP. It brought some things to me as I have dealt with in my own family. I was left with my grandson, He is also in the US Army now. I speak to him whenever I can . I give him the best advice that I can from my own life experience and from his moms, Cancer got her 3 yrs before he graduated from high school. I have been the main person in my grandsons life. So I understand more where JD Vance has come from and what he has done with his life, it's his life not his moms or his grandmas. Everything he has been thru and seen has made him the man he is today. So now he has my vote for VP. Trump/Vance 2024

[@patricekanagy5898]

Me too.

[@keith536]

"We choose everyday who we become" J.D. Vance. If J.D. had been black, this would've been wonderful, per the left.

[@michaelledford4751]

Not only would it be wonderful ,the book and movie would be required reading in all public schools and colleges .

[@CanadianLoveKnot]

I was thinking the same thing

[@jordanalbareed]

Not true, look at Ben Carson. A powerful black man who pulled himself out of detroit poverty and became one of the most successful surgeons in history yet he is blasted simply because he is on Trump's cabinet

[@michaelledford4751]

@@jordanalbareed im older than Dr Carson and grew up in the same Detroit as he did,in fact im still just outside Detroit ,people make the mistake in believing Detroit has been a poverty stricken city forever when the city was equal to NY in income and Paris in fashion ,the Detroit Dr Carson grew up in was a city of middle class familys with 2 cars ,a boat or a motorhome and family vacations once a year,that was the average Detroit ,the city didnt fall apart until 1980 .

[@jordanalbareed]

@@michaelledford4751 I can understand that, but that's not where he lived. At the age of 8 he was taken from his home and had to move into a multi family home. Originally living in a 700 sq foot home with his mother father and 2 siblings. That's poverty, regardless if detroit itself wasn't stricken with it doesn't mean poverty doesn't exist within

[@conditionallyunconditional5691]

I'm a hillbilly and approve of this message.

[@conditionallyunconditional5691]

@Will M I can only speak for myself. I wasn't raised to hate any race. Manners & mutual respect isn't hard to express. Hatred requires more energy than kindness. Nothing positive results, just evil.

[@MjollTheLioness-o4y]

Same

[@itsyourenotyour9101]

Do hillbilly's bleed? What color is it? Better not tell me Red-White and Blue. RACIST. "Mom, why's that man smell like natty ice and gun smoke?"

[@MjollTheLioness-o4y]

@Will M as a group no. There are racist people in every group. There are good and bad in every group, but being a hillbilly doesn't automatically make one racist. People need to stop judging others by the group they lump them into. They need to judge them individually like my generation was taught to. Watch the documentary Hillbilly on Hulu. It explains where the stereotypes and caricatures of hillbillies come from. Hollywood has always mocked those stricken by poverty with distaste, white and black, and that's where a lot of the assumptions about hillbillies come from. Here's something a lot of people don't realize, there are black hillbillies just like there are white hillbillies. Watch the doc. It doesn't touch on everything but its something people need to see.

[@conditionallyunconditional5691]

@@itsyourenotyour9101 you must be a lunatic, idk? Retired combat veteran here. I know what bleeding & death is up close. We all bleed the same way. And it doesn't discriminate, unless of course, if you're a coward? You certainly conveyed that! I'm not replying back to any more of your deranged comments. Try growing a pair first! 😁

[@oldhillbillybuckkowalski]

My mom was born in 1939, the third surviving child of my Grandfather, the oldest of 13 children in an Oklahoma farming family. Grandpa traveled some as a guitar player in a Bluegrass band until finding Christ in the mid 1930s, and settling down with his new bride near her family home in the mountains of Southern New Mexico, in a "Town" named Picacho, really just a loose cluster of one and two room buildings that was about 15 miles from Lincoln NM, home of the "Lincoln County War that made Billy the Kid famous, and 25 miles from Capitan, known as the home of Smokey the Bear. About 70 miles away from Roswell NM, later famous for the Roswell incident. Mom was born in one of those 2 room buildings the called a house, sadly her mother died shortly thereafter. They continued to live in Picacho for a couple of years, and I'll skip the rather crazy story about how my Grandpa managed to find a second wife, as dark side of the Waltons as it is, and it is interesting it is not relevant to my squirrel trail style of storytelling this time. What is relevant, his new wife, from ST Paul Minnesota was unhappy in a two room shack with no electricity, no indoor plumbing, an out house, water from a creek, boiling water on a Woodstock for bathing and laundry...a way of life that the Walton family would shudder at the thought of living. So Grandpa, (Eskel Eric Sparkman, a very large, lean and hard built, hands that made any man feel insecure during a handshake, and a no nonsense, gruff and somewhat cold demeanor but with more integrity than about anyone I've ever known since and tough as saddle leather) moved the family to the metropolis of Roswell in a 1926 model T Ford with no reverse gear. My mom, started school a year older than her peers. She had two dresses, one a very cheap store-bought dress for church, the other a homemade, and third owner hand-me-down made from a flour sack. She had one pair of shoes, owned by at least 4 other girls before she got them. In Picacho shoes were only worn to church or if it was really cold outside (sub zero nights and mornings were common, as was snow) but obviously in the big city (30k population) shoes were more common even for toddlers. Mom wore them at school and church but went barefoot everywhere else which just made her an even more of an easy target for city kids who delighted in bullying the hillbilly girl from Picacho. Of course over a few years mom adapted to life on Roswell. She managed to make a friend by the time she graduated from Roswell High School but never was really accepted by her classmates, was always self conscious about her origins, and I believe felt some degree of shame and self loathing until her death at 80 yrs old in Portales NM. She died from Esophageal Cancer. Her anxiety about going into a store and strangers somehow knowing she was "From the hills" meant she insisted my brother and I should only speak quietly, hands at our sides, eyes forwards, and never look exited about anything while in public because city people laugh at hill folk children, all exited because they only came to town once per year and would act all crazy and backwards in a store if they saw candy or toys. I don't know if her perception was reality but she believed it was and if she thought someone had figured out her true heritage she would become embarrassed and ashamed. While in her later years she got past that stuff, at least a little bit, and she learned to use a computer in her 70s, she in many ways remained a hillbilly girl from Picacho until the end. The last time I saw her, about a year before her passing (I live 1000 miles away and my situation makes travel difficult) I told her that I was very proud of her, proud that she came from tough, hard as nails yet salt of the earth folk that had a reserved sort of dignity, honor and integrity that most folks could've learned from and If anybody ever said anything mocking her roots in my presence they would learn how real the movie KinFolk actually was. My KZbin channel username or handle, whatever its called, the Oldhillbilly part is in honor of my mom, and my pride in her roots.

[@jolynmcteigue8371]

My father was from nearby Arabella past Hondo. Thanks for telling the story and honoring your mom.

[@oldhillbillybuckkowalski]

@@jolynmcteigue8371 my little brother hauls cattle through there frequently. He lives just outside of Capitan. Beautiful scenery.

[@cesarlira2735]

I'm mexican. Born in Mexico lived in the beautiful USA since 1972. American naturalized citizen. Grew up in East Los Angeles and I can relate to the struggles of this family. No matter what color your skin is. I love this movie, so real. WOW

[@hellsbelle7533]

These “critics” have never had to put wet towels on their little ones and fan them all night so they can sleep during a West Virginia summer. They don’t know what it’s like to grow up constantly worrying that the power is going to get shut off because it came down to milk and juice for their babies or the power bill being paid. Standing in the snow waiting to get in to the food bank hoping that there will be some bread and cheese left. My husband and I got married and started a family. My husband got his GED a. My husband chose a trade and union that he knew would give us security and pay well. He’s an Journeyman Lineman. We have both worked hard to get and to where we are now. We are buying a home now. THAT is something our families are so proud of. We are breaking the cycle of poverty. We are so excited! My whole life I have dreamt about owning a home. To see it happening is such a BIG deal! A home and land that we can pass down to them. I am so grateful. Our children have had a two parent household. I am so grateful!!

[@deboraholsen2504]

I adore and admire your incredible story! 😊

[@elizabethwutzke9040]

Thank you for sharing ❤

[@theresaromatowski9536]

You are so admired. Hope you can hold onto your home, while OUR GOVERNMENT gives billions to all the illegals in your home country. Bless you.

[@joseg3102]

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” -MLK BLM needs to remember MLK's philosophy

[@jamessteele1444]

MLK should be the greatest role model for the black community. He believed in family, the US, and the rights of ALL PEOPLE!!!! Now that was a man and a true hero that died 4 his beliefs. Nowadays every1 wants to be called a hero. BLM is a racist hate group

[@jaysonstamper3423]

Right its crazy the people that for years have been saying dont judge on skin color or sexual preference because they where born that way automatically blame white people just because they where born white and can scream it on tv imagine if a white people said some of the things that are said about us meanwhile if they say it about us they get 👏 lets face it you can say any nasty thing you want about white men and noone gets mad but if a white man says anything about anyone we get destroyed.anyone how dosnt see white men are the most hated insulted group on the planet is not being honest with themselves .tell me anything anyone can say about white men that causes outrage just one thing and ill never say anything about this again

[@steveeyerman3780]

BLM has explicitly rejected MLK. Enough said.

[@sonovabeach]

@@jamessteele1444 Your first point is a great one and I agree. However, he absolutely did not die for his beliefs. He was murdered. There's a big difference between murder and martyr.

[@farhan022692]

BLM is more like Malcom X

[@angelamatthews4565]

Ben Shapiro, you are doing God’s work. Telling the truth that liberals don’t want to hear. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@user-qm4mz6du2i]

Whos here after JD was Trumps VP pick?😊❤❤❤

[@Loveusa8219]

I am😂

[@kerodelkigh]

me

[@Sharon-b6x]

me. trump/vance 2024!!!

[@ofiasdfnosdf]

I think movie critics are the same group doing the so called “fact checking”.

[@rexythet-rex3513]

For sure

[@joedivine8278]

Probably

[@qqqqqqiang]

! This reply has been disputed

[@jorgeenchilada]

if you're mad at people who do fact checking you're probably a conspiracy theorist tbh

[@cold_static]

⚠ This claim about movie critics is disputed

[@luludunnejesus]

The film is the story of my life from poverty and child abuse, to educating my self and getting out of consious poverty.

[@ephennell4ever]

Rootin' for ya!

[@luludunnejesus]

@@ephennell4ever Thank you! That means alot, as My PTSD is triggered. Them battles are the hardest to over come! Your comment means more than you may think! Doest matter if were black or white because where human.

[@susanb5058]

I’m happy that you were able to overcome that life! Thanks for sharing!!

[@julil3021]

Congratulations! I hope you realize how much hard work that took!

[@luludunnejesus]

@@julil3021 thank you 😍❤

[@jennifermitchell3070]

Sounds like my life story also. As I got older I wanted to break the cycle of abuse, poverty, alcoholism and drugs. I eventually went to college and became a nurse. I was very determined to make something of myself in life. I am thankful god was with me on my journey. Reading all of these stories should give people hope!!! Have faith and believe in yourself!!!

[@janinepeabody1890]

The movie was most certainly about a depressed part of our country from which a young man rose up from. The main point, however, of the film was deeper. It was about the importance of having a strong role model, someone who teaches a young person values, work ethic, the importance of good decision making! Mammaw was that person who gave her Grandson a set of rules and structure to follow! She was the glue of the family, the matriarch who believed in the goodness and God given gifts and potential of her Grandson. Children need someone who believes in them! It was about family!

[@drewp.weiner2473]

If the characters were any color but white this would be nominated for all the oscars

[@Individual_Lives_Matter]

Probably not. They would say the main character internalized ‘whiteness’ and was participating in the system of white supremacy. I’m not kidding. Wokeists do not believe in individual agency beyond one’s ‘authentic’ group identity.

[@ash-hm4bt]

cap asf yk the public prefers white people

[@wtk6069]

Maybe it shows how much Hollywood attitudes have changed just since Margo Martindale won an Emmy (very well deserved) for playing a hillbilly drug lord on Justified. IIRC, Thomas Sowell was the first to draw a direct comparison between Appalachia and the inner city. He took some heat for it in the 90s, but not too much.

[@PugilistCactus]

@@Incognito2.0 Asians have been here just as long as Caucasians. Where there are white people, there are Asians. Been like that since the Mongolian Empire.

[@omgjimmyboy]

@@Incognito2.0 not in California they’re all Democrats for the most part. You guys love and eat up Hollywood culture just as much as blacks.

[@keithray9421]

The thing is, we don’t really care what the “elites” in these left wing metropolitan areas, say or do. I personally don’t even consider them human. I compare their lived experience to mine and I actually feel pity for them. 21 yrs ago i was a broken penniless OxyContin junky. I slept on the floor of trailers that most people wouldn’t even be able to blink in. As horrific as that sounds, it made me the man i am today. When I think about some of the ungodly things i did and endured, all i can do is smile. Nowadays I operate a small construction company. I have a small farm, 2 beautiful children, a wife/best friend who stuck by me through the worst of times, I haven’t used in almost 20 yrs and i employ only individuals struggling with drug addiction and trying to get back on their feet. I frankly wouldn’t trade places with any of these “elitist” dregs, and i damn sure wouldn’t switch roots with one of them.

[@alexhulzink1162]

God bless you sir.

[@vixstar46]

Thank you for posting. There is hope for me yet 🤭👍

[@shrodingerscat4422]

Thanks Keith!

[@bruce4751]

Your story is exemplary of the American dream. You were able to bring yourself out of that terrible place through hard work, and now you’ve got a business and family to show for it. Mad respect brother

[@keithray9421]

Thanks a lot guys. While it is true that I grew up in the wrong town at the wrong time, my parents did everything they could to raise me right. I’d be long gone without either one of them. Many years ago my Mom broke down crying and told me she should have been able to get me outta there. I told her that every decision i made, was mine and mine alone. I made a series of choices that lead me down a dark path and if not for her light , i’d still be there, or worse. If anyone owes an apology it would be me. I looked through my high school yearbook a couple years ago, and out of a class of 126 people, i was able to confirm 19 dead from overdose and i’m sure there were some I couldn’t confirm. At least 3 are doing long prison sentences and at least 2 suicides. Some of these kids kids came from upper middle class families. Some of them grew up dirt poor and have PhD after their names. Life truly is what we make it. While it’s absolutely true that it begins in the home, ultimately it’s up to us to set our own course.

[@AdgTee21]

I’m here bc JD is now the VP nominee!! Talk about a life story!!!😮

[@davidm8253]

Thats how i ended up here as well

[@suemcspadden5380]

Love this movie

[@soniam2255]

And yeah “Barbie” movie is nominated for Oscar …shameful

[@beesteboy711]

20 years ago everyone would have received an Academy Award for this. That's how far we've fallen...

[@alfredjohnson2647]

I couldn't help but wonder how 'Back to the Future' would be received today. The basic message of the film is much the same as Hillbilly Elegy - 'make good decisions and life will be better for you and the people around you'.

[@umchinagirard1800]

People don’t like that grandma a hero and Hillbilly elegy is really brilliant and fantastic as it shows something very rare. It shows something never before seen on film or TV. A solution to family violence. A solution to intergenerational family trauma. I solution to into generational family scapegoating. The hero is the grandma as she steps up and admits that she was a terrible mother a very bad mother herself her up in a chaotic bullying family. The grandma stop shaming her daughter. And steps up and actually helps raise the grandson that’s the key solution stepping up and protecting children in your family who are being bulliedBlamed shamed and scapegoated and made to feel little and unimportant.

[@helenalim4906]

Are you seriously whinging about one movie not getting the recognition you think it deserves, and attributing it to the downfall of your country? Such a classic 1st world problem.

[@neverstop108]

@@helenalim4906 first world problem? The movie is showing plight of people which in some cases is worse than in some third world countries. If you are too blind to see this I think you are the one with first world problem.

[@helenalim4906]

@@neverstop108 Check your reading comprehension skills. My comment never insinuated anything denigrating about the movie's content or subject matter whatsoever. I actually admire Amy Adams in many of her roles and I'm sure the performances in Hillbilly Elegy were impressive in their representation of Appalachian communities' experiences. The previous commenter's snowflakery about one film not getting an Academy Award and then attributing it to the downfall of a nation, is worthy of ridicule. Not the movie. If you're ready to take ownership of your blunder and apologise like a grown up, I'll be ready to welcome it with gratitude. Otherwise, I think we can just end it here before wasting any more precious time over nothing.

[@Myr25636]

My mom had a 9th grade education and my father an 8th, both born and raised in or near Appalachia. Out of our entire family, out of 27 cousins, only two of us went to college. But they all worked hard and took care of their families. The thought of going to college and trying to go beyond factory work was looked on as weird. My parents never, ever mentioned college or trying for an actual profession. I was expected to do good in school, but it was taken for granted that I would just graduate from high school and then go into one of the factories. That was our family tradition. My mother actually got angry when I insisted upon going to college, as if I was just adding another burden to her life even though I paid 100% of my school loans and only got gas money from her. I've always been glad I broke the mold and now have a job that I can easily support myself with. But I did have to fight to get out.

[@shmataboro8634]

Myrtle 164 I'm proud of you. I wasn't brought up to work in a factory, I was bright up to be a housewife married to a factory worker. When the high school counselor talked to me about college I flat out turned down the idea because I didn't feel I had a right to any such opportunity. One marriage, 4 kids and one divorce later I got the chance to go to college. I now have a job good enough to support myself, and that it more than I ever thought I would have. So much of what we can do in life is based on our expectations.....wish I'd known that fifty years ago, so glad I learned it in time to teach my kids.

[@furrycircuitry2378]

You're the seed that will lay down new doors and lifestyles for your future generations, I'm glad you broke the molde I'm happy you got out

[@debragriffith6628]

We were born and raised in East Tn. We have been here all our lives. I have never considered myself to be a hillbilly. There is poverty here but also wealth. I was raised in a middle class family and have had friends and school mates from both ends of the spectrum. Some people improve, some people continue the cycle of alcohol, drugs and poverty. I think it depends on the individual and if they have a strong advocate. I haven't seen the movie yet but hope to soon. TRUMP/VANCE 2024!

[@KatiraAZ]

I watched this movie when it came out. I loved it although I cried so much. I am so happy with his nomination. I know many young black and latino men who will vote for the 1st time and they will vote for Trump. Now after this announcement even more. They can relate with JD Vance. At least one of their parents has been affected by the opioid crisis and a politician that can understand the pain and struggle of the little people is so important for our Country. May he stay strong but humble and conscious about those who suffer so much in this world.

[@phwbooth]

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." ('1984', George Orwel

[@kaleadavies6616]

lol George orwell was a socialist

[@LateNightRewrites]

@@kaleadavies6616 until he realized the evils of socialism. Then he wrote 1984. So if you're arguing from a socialist perspective you may want to choose a different tact

[@LateNightRewrites]

@@TheJ2941 everyone who is remotely politically minded should take note, yourself included

[@Vaultzero]

@@TheJ2941 Take note of what? The gaslighting and double speak from Democrats?

[@hannah-6080]

@@LateNightRewrites that’s just factually incorrect

[@ryanruiz9458]

HillBilly Elegy was one of the best movies I’ve seen in years. Fuckin Glen Close made that her character so real she is amazing.

[@momovaryacting8798]

Yes, she was amazing, when I saw it on Netflix I couldn’t believe it was her! & when I saw Amy Adams I watch immediately, I was crying almost instantly! ✌🏼❣️🙏🏼

[@LateNightRewrites]

Dude she looks just like my great grandma who lived most of her life in Ohio. Like, I'm talking spittin' image

[@roycerambo6339]

I agree i loved this movie, decided to search KZbin about what people thought and im surprised people didnt like it. To each its own i guess

[@trendinggtopicc2433]

@@roycerambo6339 right I absolutely loved this movie!

[@KCfusion_]

Great film and great performances Hollywood the elites that run it just let politics ruin anything good around what gives a good luck at a good story of rising from an impoverished system.

[@MQB-dz8wr]

I’m Pakistani first generation immigrant & relate to the film so much. It’s a movie about family, poverty, intergenerational trauma & breaking cycles in the pursuit of your dreams; all because someone believed in you. Nothing to do with politics or race imo.

[@freakyfit99]

I agree. I saw the movie as a story about intergenerational trauma and how it's passed on from one generation to the next, how that influences the odds a person will fall into drug addiction and how hard it is to break out of the cycle. There are a lot of grandparents who have been forced to step in and raise their grandchildren due to the opioid epidemic. I'm glad someone finally told this story.

[@richharvey9153]

Rotten tomatoes critics score: 25% Rotten tomatoes critics score: 83% More proof ... look to the audience score and not the critics score.

[@makeitcount179]

"Hillbilly Elegy" was a great book true to real life. J.D.Vance is a success story. Thanks Ben for covering this story.

[@poolplexer]

I did not like the movie. Thought it was boring

[@amsd8050]

@@poolplexer it was pretty interesting in my opinion but I can understand how it was boring. It was a pretty sad story too

[@theminingbat]

Yea and the movie did a terrible job adapting the book. It was so boring.

[@alexf8283]

I grew up in a place that echoed this story across the board. Having grown up in small town Ohio with family dating back to moonshiners in Kentucky running spirits to the big cities, I know this story well. Lots of things hold you back when your town feels like your entire world, so many problems develop to keep you from success. I'm tremendously proud to hear this story and see the success that he gained by achieving his dreams and opening his mind to something bigger than his small town. Very glad to see that Ben covered this story!

[@TrevorD2502]

Thanks Ben I enjoyed this video, I enjoy all your video's.

[@psychshell4644]

As a recovering addict who changed her own life, this movie is awesome. I'm going to grad school for Forensic Psychology

[@mikeymonroe-fb1on]

YOU ARE AMAZING!!

[@psychshell4644]

@@mikeymonroe-fb1on thanks mikey

[@coffeecrimegal5968]

That’s awesome.. Kudos to you 👏🏼

[@kaizze8777]

GOD BLESS YOU. you are the 1% of successful people to show that individual willingness to succeed and conquer your own issues is the secret.

[@justinitsthatguyme010]

So proud of you, Michelle

[@billstapleton1084]

A critic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

[@ProjectFairmont]

Rejecting another’s reality because it doesn’t fit one’s political narrative is astonishing.

[@katt3076]

How would Hollywood understand any of struggles in the movie? This is real America and obviously Hollywood knows zero about that.

[@Donillini]

This would be more or less the same struggles that inner city African Americans would have. That’s what I got from the book. We are all “real” America. It’s a large country with lots of experiences

[@barbellsamurai8014]

and how would some rich boy like shapiro know anything about experiences of the poor working class? he is only pumping this movie because vance became a success, oh yeah one poor kid made it so we all can if we just work a bit harder blah b;lah

[@barbellsamurai8014]

@Peter Kile ben shitpiro knows nothing about the working class

[@mcarrowtime7095]

@@barbellsamurai8014 nor, would I venture, do you know anything about Ben Shapiro.

[@barbellsamurai8014]

@@mcarrowtime7095 are you suggesting his background is working class?

[@hegemonycricket2182]

If the cast had been all black and brown, the movie would be considered "stunning and brave" by the critics....

[@joeshmoe7967]

and nominated for every award under the sun.

[@KrispyKrunchee]

Just as well, I think because of that very reason, the movie can also be seen as "stunning and brave". A movie about another just-as-real American family. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@AbcAbc-sp1od]

@hegemony cricket , no it would need to have trans women as well!

[@TheBlockbuster1982]

Heeeeey! Black and brown is different we brown are against this black bs at least most of us

[@amandarenske]

That's exactly the words..🤣🙄Like we haven't been preached to 100 times this week already.

[@BobSmith-lb9nc]

Ben is correct. My parents (as most Americans of that period) went through the Great Depression, but never considered themselves deprived. They believed in hard work, honesty, and integrity. They never whined or made dumb excuses.

[@kenknowlton3085]

And here we are 4 years later...JD Vance the future VPOTUS

[@CARTOONIVERSE1]

New Yorker: "...impersonal manipulation of memory & experience." *How would they know his memories?* Audacious disrespect by these unprofessional HACKS.

[@cathysoukup2398]

The elites live in a bubble and refuse to believe anything exists outside of it.

[@myshownvjhope]

Those are the same critics that said "Cuties" was "groundbreaking"... so those people should be in jail anyways... who gives AF what they think and like?

[@myshownvjhope]

@MidOhioBuckeyeMan Gross. 🤮

[@myshownvjhope]

@MidOhioBuckeyeMan I deleted my Netflix months ago. They are nothing but a headache and a contradiction. I don't like that.

[@LittleHatori]

I nominate you for Top commemt, sir. 🏆 good day.

[@CBooks543]

This video aged VERRY well.

[@mackmckinney9517]

growing up 60 miles from Middleton, but in the late 40,50, 60's life was good. Later in the 70, 80 after AUTO, STEEL and COAL industries' we killed off but the Government. Town's died off, opportunities' to the middle class life were gone; Drugs ravaged what was left, If you could not go on to College your only escape was to joint the Military. JD and I were lucky that the Military allowed us a fighting chance to escape and go on to a BETTER life.

[@josiahbaker7486]

I just visited my grandparents and family from McDowell County, WV for Thanksgiving and joked with my wife about all my privilege as we drove through shanty town after shanty town. I watched this entire movie through tears feeling it’s truth down to my bones. I’m infinitely appreciative and forever grateful for my family sacrificing and paving the way for me become who I am today.

[@foreman_spike]

You are a good man

[@geebeeinga]

Your last sentence says it all. Your attitude of gratitude will (has) served you well and obviously provided you an outlook on life that we desperately need more of in this country. Well said - blessings.

[@tknows470]

Gratitude changes everything. God bless you.

[@cosettelaplante699]

I'm from Southern California. Back in 2001, I went to Logan County West Virginia to ride ATVs. It was beautiful scenery and friendly people. Recently I traveled back to West Virginia to Buckhannon... beautiful town and friendly people. Some poor, some with money, many working class... although most were White, I did see Asian, Hispanic and Black people.

[@universalsoldier2293]

I love how many have claimed that J.D. Vance's experience is "inauthentic." I mean, that takes some special brass ones to claim that someone who actually lived it didn't live it "authentically." And this is why politicians, let alone journalists or movie critics, will never understand rural America.

[@jenwal420]

To be fair, they dont understand much about people in urban areas either

[@joeshmoe7967]

'understand'? they don't even care. Politicians suck, and there are no journalists anymore.

[@maam-yj8ph]

It's kind of interesting to look back and realize that Hollywood actually toned down someone like Audie Murphy's life story to make it more believable.

[@helenalim4906]

Hi! Does anyone here know in which video Shapiro brought up that new Christmas movie starring Kristen Stewart? I can't seem to find it anywhere despite it supposedly being released just a few days ago... If you could post a link up, that would be great, thx.

[@corncrackerkid5092]

I grew up in an Appalachian family and I can say that believing that everyone in the region grew up like Vance (who is from Middletown Ohio, which is not Appalachian) is inauthentic too, a lot of the people who say it’s inauthentic a majority of the time are Appalachian as well

[@dtmchemistry5279]

My dad was one of seven kids of a coal miner. He served in the Navy during the Korean war. He and my mom (also a mountain kid of a mechanists) after his service used his GI bill and working in factories in Detroit and Indianapolis to fund their education. Dad earned a doctorate and my mom a master's degree. He and mom had to fight Hill Billy stereotypes in their professions but never made excuses. Their grit and perseverance were a great example to us. They did have great hard-working parents, so JD's example is even more inspiring. The dems hate people who work hard to rise up in society and don't abuse government handouts to become dependents.

[@larrycable1948]

Let me make a couple comment. My family and my wife's family are both from poor, Appalachia. families. Lots of people have overcome the poverty, they left and went to somewhere with jobs, or like my father, joined the military. Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Detroit and Cleveland were the promised land where the blue collar jobs of what used to be the US's industrial heartland drew them. The problem is that those blue collar jobs were sold to China for cheap. Those jobs were also what drew the black workers out of the deep south too. Being dirt poor is a class thing and doesn't matter if you are white, black or Hispanic.

[@Midwinter2]

And now, due to the outrage, I am going to watch a movie I never heard of and otherwise would have no interest in.

[@cosmicsquirrel7642]

Yes I went and watched it because the critics panned it. Ron Howard does human portrayals so the fantacists don't understand. Some parts of it were fantastic.

[@thewaffle003]

@@cosmicsquirrel7642 Yeah, some parts. Like a few. Everyone's got their nuts twisted over the fact that critics panned this movie, and the reality is it just wasn't that good.

[@mikesmith3873]

Midwinter same!😆🤣

[@mono8476]

haha exactly!

[@robertcarter8600]

@@thewaffle003 It's YOUR opinion.

[@rustyj4884]

Oh my word - my son and I watched it yesterday. Absolutely loved it. Bawled my eyes out. You nailed it Ben. It’s pro family and opposed to victimhood.

[@HappiestGnome]

The Vanity Fair review asks what policy recommendations the audience can take away. None, other than the notion of personal responsibility, which isn't about to transform the region. It just enables audiences to wash their hands of the region's suffering.

[@TheGeemann666]

So, the basic premise of Hillbilly Elegy is that no matter how brutal your childhood was, you can still go forward in life unburdened by what has been.

[@pittsburghboyertown3821]

I see what you did there. :D Have an upvote.

[@Erasmus777]

Saw this movie when it came out and was shocked that Glen Close didn't win the Oscar. Extraordinary performance. Amy Adams was also brilliant in it.

[@ecassels]

Petition to get a weekly Ben Shapiro movie review

[@thecodymon]

I’d rather him have cooking show once a week

[@tylerrochette7682]

No

[@Autumn_Forest_]

I hate Hollyweird too much. I’d only watch movies done by known conservatives. I have been to maybe 3 movies in the last 10 years, dragged there by other people.

[@doncharrette6977]

I can support that

[@Dutch_man20]

I’d like to see him rank some of his favorite films

[@klw3786]

Film critics have no love for Ron Howard’s “Hillbilly Elegy;” reviews call the film “laughably horrendous,” “awful,” and “one of the most shameless films of the year.” That means this is a really good movie lol

[@jimgratrix8446]

One of the best movies in recent times. Great performances.

[@leahg3926]

The book is 10x better!!

[@jammerjen5504]

Exactly! We really liked it. And yrs ago with Siskel and Ebbert, if they didn't care for a movie, we knew we'd like it! Lol

[@nancyj9892]

Yeah, and don't forget Don Lemon laughing about 'hick' language on national television. I'm proud to be from the Southeast. We may be hick, but guess who don't come to this area and try to take down our statues and burn down our buildings? We know how to use our weapons, and how to fight. Remember, we came across the mountains pulling our wagons, animals, family, weapons, and run out all the 'enemy'. We know how! Just chew on that one!

[@helenalim4906]

Hi! Does anyone here know in which video Shapiro brought up that new Christmas movie starring Kristen Stewart? I can't seem to find it anywhere despite it supposedly being released just a few days ago... If you could post a link up, that would be great, thx.

[@kimgardner6540]

I didn't grow up in Appalachia, but I grew up in a blue collar Milwaukee family, and completely understand the difficult dynamics of a dysfunctional family where the emphasis isn't on me becoming something great, but the expectation I'll be a cashier and live in a trailer park as the highest goal. Having those types of goals I can assure you, my quality of life would have always been subpar. It was actually my martial arts teachers and my education that I realized that really wasn't much of a goal, and I could do better.

[@maggietinsley2516]

My husband was the son of a West Virginia hillbilly, who was an alcoholic, drug addict. She didn’t get sober until he left for college. He grew up in Columbus Ohio and became a national Merritt scholar. He showed up at Ohio State to sign up for classes and had not even applied ahead of time because he hadn’t known to do that. When they saw that he was a national merit scholar, they immediately signed him up on the spot. He went on to graduate with honors and then applied to Virginia Tech for a masters degree in fisheries wildlife sciences, and then went on to university of Virginia law school, where he became a top-notch environmental lawyer, admired by all his peers. It is true that there are white folks who are also at a disadvantage but through hard work and determination do well.

[@makenzie1660]

Thank you Ben for giving a voice to the 25 million people living in the Appalachians. 25 million people that serve as a punch line for the elites. We are much more than that.

[@keithray9421]

I relish in being their “punch-line”, because I don’t consider them on any level. Its a one sided obsession you see.

[@hillbillylivesmatter2608]

Look i am from the appellations i like trump. But shapiro doesn’t speak for us we have our own voice..

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Obama says clutch your guns & religion. 😏 The DNC wants to berate & insult the mostly white states. The poor are just tools of the DNC to be patronized.

[@Katie-lf6yj]

As a rural-raised woman in academia pursuing a better life separate from my incredibly humble and turbulent beginnings, thanks for covering this❤️😂

[@crystalk.8961]

@ThePatUltra Amen.

[@leahg3926]

Me too. The book is amazing, informative, helpful, healing. Excellent

[@joelhinton6716]

Same, I'm from KY and grew up having Principals ask if I dated cousins. Here I am working on a DBA and blowing minds telling people I switch to conservatism because of what I learned in academia. Keep up the great work sis

[@deryknorton1521]

Ben, there is a good lesson in your reference to the Rotten Tomatoes’ difference between the critics’ percentage and the viewers’ percentage. It is this. When using Rotten Tomatoes to help you choose which movies to watch pick the ones with the highest viewer percentage AND with the largest difference between viewer percentage and the critic percentage.

[@maureen-rn3pv]

Hi Ben, so I’m completely at a loss as to why someone would criticise this movie. It’s so caring and touching and shows how SOMEONE NEEDS TO CARE . Most people I know have some sort of connection to the FALLEN. Most people I know immigrated from third world and are happy with the benefits available to them in trying to make a better life. Maybe not the heights of JD VANCE but better than what they left behind. ARE THEY EMBARRASSED that USA is now mirroring third world?

[@DonnieDarko25]

That movie is the story of my life. My mother was a drug addict, life was hard. You have to sacrifice your childhood years and grow up too fast. I'm now on my way to become a Chartered Accountant (a 7 year course which is one of the most difficult courses in my country ). Elites think people like us don't exist. We do . We are the rare children that understand hardwork and sacrifice.

[@DonnieDarko25]

@joshua7878 I feel you brother. You realize everything we need to get in our lives is a fight . You have to fight harder than any of the kids who didn't have to. This made me better person overall so in a sense I'm not bitter about it.

[@DonnieDarko25]

@Amanda never Amanda. I believe in personal responsibility, hard word and sacrifice. I was never given any handouts in my country because of my race. One day when I'm qualified and do I move to America I will move to a place with like minded individuals. I will pass these values onto my children as well no matter how much of a privileged life I provide for them.

[@jewelsf1925]

I am very proud of people like you, God bless you and your family Donnie!

[@DonnieDarko25]

@@jewelsf1925 Thank you Jewels. God bless your family too x

[@jewelsf1925]

@@DonnieDarko25 Any time, love my fellow Americans!

[@thevibe2020]

This movie is Real! sadly Hollywood likes fairytales. This movie was actually great!

[@heyitsdrew]

this is why the left like socialism. they like control and 'how things should be'. versus the right and how things are and freedom. the self as be all end all versus God be all end all.

[@greatstate58]

Lol do you guys just say stuff over here with no research? I just scrolled through rotten tomatoes and movies of all kind get 💩 reviews. Fairytales, Sci-fi, documentaries, true stories, period pieces. Even lib comedians like Pete Davidson got a 💩 review for his special. The movie sucked to critics. it doesn’t stop you from watching it. Watch it and stop crying❄️

[@leahg3926]

The book is 10x better!

[@darkbrandon8431]

@@greatstate58 Nope. The reviews are actually liberal take. I hate that. Look at those newspaper reviews. I hate both liberals and conservatives. I am not a fan of hillbilly elegy but that its rejected because of this conservative take.

[@greatstate58]

@@darkbrandon8431 it has nothing to do with politics. My mom liked the movie and she’s no republican at all. I didn’t like it. Perhaps there is something else in the movie that appeals to some and not others and it’s completely separate from politics. Maybe read and watch the reviews instead of making 💩 up just because. You can’t even prove the non-critics who reviewed the movie and liked it are conservative.

[@kenhammond3810]

My grandparents were farmers in northern Missouri. They were very successful for several years, and built a large operation, but the downturn in the farm economy in the 80's got them, and they never recovered. After my grandfather died, my grandmother sold most of the farm and moved into a small house in a dying town nearby. The environment there was much like that in Hillbilly Elegy. Half of the houses were falling down or had burned down, and there were many neighbors barely hanging on through poverty and addiction. It was just as bad as many inner-city slums, with most of the same problems. My grandmother's house, small and neat, was nothing special, but it was one the nicest ones in town. I finally got so uncomfortable with the neighbors' drunken arguments that I only took my kids on short daytime visits, and never overnight. It just didn't feel safe. My parents went to high school in a bigger town nearby that was prosperous in the 50's, but now is half the population and is barely hanging on. There are towns like that all over rural America.

[@Arasa941]

Excellent movie.. moved me to tears , it's been more than 10 yrs since I cried. This movie hits different for people from broken familes. My mom is schizophrenic and dad is a depressive patient .. as far as I can remember they both used to make each other miserable. They seperated few 14 years ago.. My mom lives with me.. sometimes i lose my calm and say mean things to my mom. It doesn't make sense to me how my mom doesn't care about me, she doesn't ever talk to me about my life got affected since my childhood, how I'm coping

[@luvslogistics1725]

Feminists should appreciate the strong women that help a young man in this

[@itzakehrenberg3449]

@J H See if you can find a feminist critic who gives the movie a "thumbs up". Good luck!

[@brianaguilar8283]

@J H find a feminist film critic that likes this movie

[@visions_of_noah]

@@brianaguilar8283 find a feminist film critic XD

[@glenhayhoe]

So this is basically the same story as "the pursuit of happiness". Somehow critics liked that one...

[@Dan16673]

Hmm. they shouldnt though. the government didnt save the day

[@brucemcclary3260]

The scene in the movie where JD struggles with his silverware is a great scene of a wonderfull movie,all these critics panning this story are just an extension of a biased media,nothing more,see the movie its superb

[@jpalvarez4972]

I tend to think 'Happyness' would be panned were it released today. Any film about escaping poverty via personal accountability is obviously an attack on black folks. Just about everything is in 2020.

[@Dan16673]

@@jpalvarez4972 Yup. No has chooses in life now, they are just robots in which their surroundings control everything.

[@zykhireawyatt4752]

@D K Accept it didnt....and it wasnt.... so all that is occurring TODAY is that YOU are putting this negative thought energy into the world from YOUR hypothetical story that YOU created the theme of the story.

[@sandhyaramesh6130]

I watched this movie when it was released, didn’t know much about hillbillies, Appalachian roots nor heard about JD Vance. But watching this movie my eyes opened to another aspect of the American poverty and the hardships. I didn’t watch it with any political affiliation or agenda, but made me realize certain aspects which I was truly ignorant and blind. I will read the book soon. God bless America 🇺🇸🙏🏼

[@bethrose6425]

I’m a 73 year old white woman. I grew up poor in Southeastern Ohio; considered to be part of Appalachia. My Grandparents nor my Father got to finish high school, but were extremely proud, hardworking people. We never even considered that we weren’t good people because of our circumstances. Our faith in God and belief in our innate intelligence has stood us all in good stead.

[@AnAmericanGirl4Sure]

I watched the movie before ever even hearing that it was pissing off the left. I never once thought of politics. It was about JD overcoming huge obstacles and making something of himself.

[@andrewstephens5885]

nooooo identity politics matter most of all‼️‼️‼️ 2021 woohooooo

[@myfavoriteplanet3247]

I'm a lefty and I thought this movie was great.

[@hypnos9336]

I don't understand why there's even a "critic score." nobody cares what critics think. I only care what the audience (normal people) thought.

[@ivannierez7731]

I've always taken the critic score it's for nerds. Like the urinal of Duchamp it's brilliant in his moment in time, revolutionary but I wouldn't pay a dime for that thing.

[@TheN1ghtwalker]

I honestly don't care about both. Critics are biased, general audiences are dumb. Just watch a movie and see for yourself.

[@ukytita]

It is important to know what they think.... it warns us of the level of wokeness and let us know what NOT to watch 🤣

[@TheShootist]

Siskel and Ebert disagree (from the grave).

[@savannah9568]

You don’t have to be a critic to see this is a pretty average to bad movie.

[@janetprice85]

It was a condemnation of the truth of their long neglect and disrespectful attitude towards working class Americans.

[@Kevins-Philippine-Retirement]

Now, soon to be VP of the US! Success from adversity 🙏🏻❤️

[@shirleylinkous799]

When you are shunned for doing good deeds that isn't political. That is biblical.

[@js-tw3vs]

Amen! Blessed are you when people persecute you!

[@darrengordon-hill]

AMEN There's no "right and left" but right and wrong...

[@cliffa2901]

Shirley thumbs up from me in Australia.

[@shimac1]

I was surprised that Netflix aired the movie at all, given its sympathetic look at poor white America.

[@askquestionsplz]

they know who their audience is lol

[@megadethmofo2001]

Especially Barry and Michael behind the helm.

[@PhoenicianPrincess88]

Is it still up?

[@aletmartins6940]

Another book similar to this is “Educated” - poverty stricken family, hardly going to school for a host of reasons, but eventually the girl gets educated. Amazing what can be done if you’re determined.

[@theeclectic2919]

I loved this movie. (And not just because I love Amy Adams!) I came from a small Texas town and was the first person in my family to get a college degree. I made some good decisions. Now I have kids with various graduate degrees. I understand what this movie is about. Any politics in it is a side show -- part of the background. This is a movie about life and how you can overcome your unfortunate circumstances with good decisions.