MovieChat Forums > Set It Off (1996) Discussion > These women are slackers!

These women are slackers!


None of them try to learn anything beyond menial labor, except the bank clerk who froze when her buddy was heisting the place. They all act like they're destitute and losing ground however can afford beepers and dope. What's wrong with learning computer software, programming, or at the very least how to type! They act like doing either the worst job possible or robbery is their only alternatives. Movie is contrite and blatently racist.

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Hey, that's just how some people are.

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just cause they go out and learn about computer programing doesn't mean their problems will be solved...

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Yeah. Their called CORPORATE CRIMINALS. Hello, ENRON?

"Let's get some barbecue and get busy."-Jazz

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Didn't old people always call teenagers "slackers" back then? They don't seem like "slackers" now.

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I wouldn't try to read too much into this one, it's tripe. The movie is just one cliche after another, weak plot, weak characters...how some people fell for it the way they have is absoultely beyond me, and a testament to the abilities of movie-brainwashing. It tries to make you feel for these "down on their luck" (how they got that way/why they couldn't get themselves out is never aknowledge, outside being chocked up to "the man") criminals because they are A)african american and B) women. It's a joke, the dialouge is like a bad comic book, and the performances make literal bial come to the back of my throat. Everything here is ripped off of the few achetype's of this "genre" and to the legions of followers...it's just lazy all around really....so I suppose slacker would be the right term

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It's a shame that every time a movie comes out about the struggles of African Americans, whether it is a far fetched plot or not, I read comments like yours that always has a hint of racism in it. There are really women out there like them who go through the same thing, like the character Ms. Elise plays not being able to afford daycare because it is too high and Vivica Fox's character being fired just because she knew who the robbers were. I see that personally happen. Maybe you find negativity in this movie because there are a lot of people like you that instead of helping people, you blame the problems we have on ourselves and let us wallow in despair. Boy, when Judgement Day comes, we are going to bust Hell wide open for being so judgemental!!!

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statement not related to question! How come they couldn't learn something more profitable than being a janitor? How come if they're so broke they can afford beepers and grass?

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You complain at the OP for pointing these things out and mention that it boarders on racism. Sorry, but not so. I'm sure you've known black women in very similar circumstances. I have as well. Also know white and hispanic women....in the exact same situations. Sometimes life sucks. Doesn't matter what color you are. As for helping others, I believe in helping people....to a point. But let's be realistic. This country has turned into a country of long term handouts. Things like welfare and food stamps were a great idea. But the idea was to get that assistance....short term.....to give you the chance to improve your situation, so that you don't need that help any longer. I know people that have been collecting welfare checks and food stamps...FOR YEARS. At a certain point, if you want your life to improve, YOU have to show some incentive and do it for yourself. Look at anyone that has come from nothing to "make it". They didn't get there by sitting around going "it's no fair that no one will help me". They did for themselves. It's not a race thing. It's a motivation thing.

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It's a shame that every time a movie comes out about the struggles of African Americans, whether it is a far fetched plot or not, I read comments like yours that always has a hint of racism in it. There are really women out there like them who go through the same thing, like the character Ms. Elise plays not being able to afford daycare because it is too high and Vivica Fox's character being fired just because she knew who the robbers were. I see that personally happen. Maybe you find negativity in this movie because there are a lot of people like you that instead of helping people, you blame the problems we have on ourselves and let us wallow in despair. Boy, when Judgement Day comes, we are going to bust Hell wide open for being so judgemental!!!


This. Ironically, this film is slightly similar to Thelma & Louise, I wonder if some would say those two were slackers, they robbed people too.

"I'm the ultimate badass,you do NOT wanna f-ck wit me!"Hudson,Aliens😬

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This movie isn't similar to Thelma & Louise. Not even "slightly" so. This movie is about women who rob banks for money because their non-stop pity party takes up so much of their time they refuse to try and work for a better life. Thelma & Louise did the things they did to avoid a murder conviction in a death penalty state after killing the man who was about to rape Thelma. Louise was a waitress at a diner, hardly a job bringing in the big bucks and yet she didn't start robbing banks nor did she wallow in self pity like these four moronic losers.

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I remember how many people liked the movie Sugar & Spice which was worse than this movie.

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DIDDYMUCK............ITS A DAMN MOVIE, SO PEOPLE LIVE MOVIES OTHERS JUST WATCH THEM AND MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT HOW U JUST NEED TO DO THIS ARE THAT TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE. PIPE DOWN LIT DADDY AND CHILL ITS A MOVIE AND NOT UR LIFE. AND WHY IS EVERY BLACK MOVIE RASICT.........IVE WATCHED SO MANY MOVIES THAT HAVE NOTHING BUT WHITE CAST MEMBERS SO I THINK THEIR RACIST NO ITS A DAMN MOVIE!

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What's wrong with learning computer software, programming, or at the very least how to type!

Dickmuck, if they did, the movie would be boring as hell.

Damn!! My posts attract so many nutty B-A-S-T-A-R-D-S!

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how can you learn computer programming or software when you can't afford to pay a babbysitter while you work, let alone go to school. and learn to type? just because you can type doesn't mean you can get a job, besides, this is a late 90's L.A. project, no one has computer to learn to type on, so they'de still have to take some sort of course.
beepers and dope? when was there a beeper in that movie, now your just generalising, and there was only dope in the movie once before they robbed a bank, and that was just someone sharing. only one had a vehichle, and it was a peice of *beep* i have computer skills, i know how to type, but without a highschool diploma it's hard to even get a *beep* job.
and racist? i suppose they were racist african americans then

____________________________
Lifes to short for movies that suck!!!

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Boo hoo hoo!

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[deleted]

So what do you think of the white cast in "The Bank Job?" Or what about the cast of Oceans 11? Hollywood makes BOTH, bank heist movies about blacks AND whites, and other nationalities as well. And if showing black people in a bad light is what's got you down, the actors in the movies can always decline the part. Queen Latifah was younger, and for some reason, she thought this made her look cool. She's a tomboy and enjoys being viewed as a hardcore street thug. Most rappers do. They want to be fear more than respected.

But this movie has a bit of a realistic twist to it. I mean, it's not farfetched. Alot of folks in our neighborhoods do this sort of thing. They're called Democrats. Don't wanna work, but expect money to be granted to them just because they're black. Yes, I'm black, and I'm a democrat who believes in giving a person that extra push if I see they're trying. I have no sympathy for lazy people who think I should take care of them. They can be black OR white. Trust me, I've seen a fair share of both races looking for a free lunch. Not just blacks.

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[deleted]

my point exactly. Implausible and written not to be real but for "good theater". Bank Job and Ocean 11 crooks seemed to be professional criminals. These ladies are not. Crime is more profitable than self improvement is my point...which is not quite accurate.

Director seems to be saying "just shut up and watch the action"

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Yes, I'm black, and I'm a democrat who believes in giving a person that extra push if I see they're trying. I have no sympathy for lazy people who think I should take care of them. They can be black OR white. Trust me, I've seen a fair share of both races looking for a free lunch. Not just blacks.

Very true. I love this movie (I've worked in housekeeping for years), and I applaud their effort. Especially when you look at all the people feigning a mental illness to get on government disability to not work at all. I'm Caucasian and I have several people like this in my family. One even has a college degree and she still won't work. She has two children and she's never worked a day to support her second child, and only for a few years with the first one. Someone should make a movie about that: white women gaming the system!!!

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How to Beat the High Cost of Living with Jane Curtin and others.

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this was like what 95
everyone had beepers and dope isn't that expensive unless you smoke it all the time like cleo

the beepers could have been stolen!
only geeks were into computers at the time not black women from the hood.

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beepers require contracts, which require credit cards. they must have cc's and that means they have credit. getting a student loan would be easy. in 95 word processing replaced typewriters and spreadsheets replaced bookkeeping. offices embracing this new technology would be desperate for talented administrators.

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[deleted]

"and that means they have credit. getting a student loan would be easy."

LO, getting a loan is so easy which is why everyone goes to college and comes out owing tens of thousands of dollars!

You people got ALL the answers.

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"Love means never having to say you're ugly." - the Abominable Dr. Phibes

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I never had to have a contract or credit card back in the day when I had a beeper.

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Yeah, considering they were 4 girls from Beverly Hills, there's really no excuse for them being poorly educated and lacking job skills.

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