Filmmaking duo and brothers Peter and Bobby Farrelly have received more than their fair share of vitriol over the years for their particular brand of humor, one where no gag was ever deemed too stomach-churning or offensive if it meant a hearty laugh from its intended audience. Unsurprisingly, this ushered in an era of studio comedies that wore their lack of political correctness as a shiny badge of honor, one that could barely conceal the hatred that bubbled underneath, even as the Farrellys themselves rarely engaged in mean-spirited hijinks. Their hearts were always far too big for that, with the duo going out of their way to cast persons with physical and developmental disabilities in both bit parts and featured roles, steadfastly refusing to ever make them the butt of the joke. Even the fat-shaming of Shallow Hal ultimately dovetailed with a message of acceptance above all else, and perhaps that’s why the Farrellys have been maligned for so long — two guys who both wanted their cum-covered cake and to eat it, too. 
Published as part of InRO Weekly — Volume 1, Issue 10.
