Contrasting Views on the 1980s

What was the reality of the 1980s? On one side, we have a liberal actor who describes the decade as a “fucking mess.” On the opposite side, a former reality star and Republican expresses it as a time filled with true “heroes.”

The sharply differing views on this era—marked by a resurgence of patriotism and traditional values during President Ronald Reagan’s tenure—highlight the deep cultural divide that exists in America today.

This debate took off on social media after Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV personality and failed candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, sharply responded to actor Ryan Reynolds. This exchange came after Reynolds referred to the 1980s as “brutal” while he was promoting his film, Mayday, set during the Cold War, at a New York premiere.

Reynolds commented, “When you get far enough away from a time period that’s quite distinct, there’s always a lovely feeling associated with it, almost like you pave over all the trauma with puppy dogs and ice cream.” He added, “The ’80s was a brutal, brutal time for people. It was a fucking mess, and people forget that.”

It’s worth noting that neither of these individuals lived through the 1980s as adults. Reynolds was born in 1976 and was only 14 when the decade ended, while Pratt was born in 1983 and wasn’t even a teenager then.

Despite their ages, Pratt defended the 1980s as a period of cultural stability compared to today’s world, which he believes lacks clear moral guidelines. He remarked, “It makes perfect sense that Ryan Reynolds’ view of the 80s is the inverse of what normal people think. In 80s movies, bad guys were villains. Today, the bad guys are the heroes. Hollywood now bends over backwards to redeem wickedness and mental illness,” he shared on X.

Pratt continued by contrasting film heroes of the 1980s with the modern antihero, stating, “‘Top Gun and St Thomas of Cruise represent the hero generation of cinema. Reynolds represents the antihero generation, and they are both byproducts of their own creations. Choose your path carefully, young man.”

This discussion has caught the attention of others in the industry. Film critic Christian Toto noted that Pratt’s remarks highlight a significant cultural shift in America, suggesting that the obsession with antiheroes in pop culture might have implications in real life. He observed, “It’s one thing to follow Tony Soprano or Walter White, but modern films and TV shows are replete with villains we’re asked to cheer on.”

Toto pointed out the prevalence of films showcasing flawed characters portrayed sympathetically, giving examples like Bullet Train, Hit Man, and the John Wick series. He even mentioned indie films that present villains in a heroic light.

In closing, Toto asked, “Has that had a corrosive effect on the culture? Pratt’s question is worth exploring.”