Jokes are one of the most common examples of the stereotypes in our society. Amusing stories, songs, shows concentrate on the people who stand out from the normal road of life. The short movie “Playing hard to get” tells the story of a jazz quartet competing for a beautiful young lady who just walked into the bar where they were performing. This young lady completely changes the men on stage and the atmosphere in the bar. Before her sudden appearance the four musicians seemed utterly bored. None of them were enjoying themselves, feeling the music or even trying to do their job well. They were simply passing their time away and waiting to go home. Beer and cigars were all they needed. Laziness and boredom hung heavily over the performers as well as all the clients in the bar.
According to this movie, it takes just one person to change everything. Although this idea is a very positive one, it is not exactly the message of the video. Half drunk men are drawn to the women, they literally eat her up with the eyes. Next step – conquer her. This means they have to prove themselves worthy. All they have at their disposal are their musical instruments to which they naturally turn for help. Within less than two minutes, the viewer sees that these four can play well if they set their mind to it. The bar turns upside down. Not only are the musicians alive all of a sudden, but the clients are right behind them. But however hard any of them try, the woman remains completely cold and doesn’t seem to care the least bit about any of the attempts to impress her.
However, there is a limit to everything. All of a sudden the line between impressive music and plain madness is crossed. The sound from the stage no longer sounds like music. It is as if the men before were taken away and substituted with madmen. But the truth will out with the appearance of another young man. The couple, start speaking sign language. The woman was deaf. She couldn’t hear the music or the complements whispered by a client in her ear. But now, when she looks up, the picture in front of her is the mirror image of charming. The four men on stage scare her more than impress her. And that is their fate and their loss.
I think the creator of this video did not mean to carry any deep meaning with it. It was most likely made for pure entertainment and perhaps simple mockery. However, I believe that jokes at the cost of those of us who are less fortunate are cruel and should be avoided at all times.
It is possible to find a positive meaning in everything, including this short story. After all, it does show the power of a woman. It also promotes the idea that men have to work in order to impress the “weaker species”. Like all jokes this movie also ridicules the men who get completely carried away and at the same time loose whatever charm they might have had.
However, there are more negative messages in this video. Here we see people smoking, drinking and wasting their time. Then we see how their animal side takes control of them. This is also a common stereotype in our society. And this kind of video only show that the kind of uncontrollable behavior displayed in the video is the norm. After all, attraction to someone is more than appearance. Real attraction develops only from a strong friendship.
Works Cited
Tim Bullock. “Playing hard to get.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2U3NRmjcBQ, 14 Nov. 2010. Web. 15 Aug. 2011
