Ethnic Stereotypes in the Movie "Smokin' Aces"

Paper Summary:

This essay analyzes the use of stereotypes to portray different ethnic groups in the film "Smokin' Aces". The paper relates that the media is able to shape and influence our own perceptions of other people and cultures. The paper further relates that what we can see on the TV and movies produces a very powerful message, as we perceive the media as real even when we see a work of fiction. Additionally, the paper notes that the media is filled with stereotypes and stereotypical images. The essay then concentrates on three ethnic groups present in "Smokin' Aces", Italians, white Americans and African-Americans, and shows that they are portrayed through stereotypical images. The Italians are represented as mafia bosses, white men are good guys, while African American characters are criminals and sidekicks. The writer concludes that the construction of characters sends strong messages of racial ideology despite all the efforts put towards eliminating the racism.

From the Paper:

"One of the first characters introduced in the move is an Italian Primo Sparazza. Sparazza is a mafia boss, a stereotypical role for an Italian in media. He is wanted by FBI and is known to be behind many crimes but, as usual, cannot be connected directly to any of them. As such he is untouchable, powerful person behind the mafia steel curtain. We do not know much about him, but some ideas that fit in the overall male Italian- mobster stereotypic character can be inferred from the plot. Thus, it is possible that Sparazza was an Italian immigrant since the FBI agents are tracing his illegal activities to 1950s. He made crime his career climbing up to a level of one of the American mafia bosses. As such, he is a typical non-American who presents a danger to American society and way of life."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Madon, S. What do People Believe about Gay Males? A Study of Stereotype Content and Strenght. Sex Roles, 37 (9/10), 1997: 663 - 685.
• Gardner, R. M. Stereotypes and Media. The Midwest Quarterly. 34(1), 1992: 121-134.
• Cavallero, J.J. Gangsters, Fessos, Tricksters, And Sopranos: The Historical Roots of Italian American Stereotype Anxiety. Journal of Popular Film and Television. 32(2). 2004: 50-64.
• Henderson, J.J. & Baldasty, G.J. Race, Advertising and Prime-Time Television. The Harvard Journal of Communications. 14, 2003: 97-112
• Coltrane, S. & Messineo, M. The Perpetuation of Subtle Prejudice: Race and Gender Imagery in 1990s Television Advertising. Sex Roles, 42 (5/6), 2000: 363 - 389

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