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“Isn't this cool? This movie was filmed in Chicago.”
My companion smiled at me, her eyes clearly anticipating affirmation. I settled for the safest response — a nod accompanied with a feigned smile — and settled in to watch two hours of women mentally abusing John Cusack. As the movie played, my thoughts were on the answer I would have most liked to give were there to be no repercussions. My first though was to question this young lady about the extent of her idiocy so that I might be able to prepare myself in the future. Later, I thought that I should have exclaimed, “Hey, I live there!” and followed it with an emphatic high-five. By the time the movie was over, it was clear that the real response was simple - just get up, move three or four rows back, and sit down.
On May 31, 2003 , the Illinois General Assembly passed the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act, and some Chicagoans, though they didn't even know it yet, had a reason to rejoice. The logistics of the bill call for production companies to earn a 25 percent tax credit on money spent on Illinois labor, provided that they spend at least $100,000, while productions spanning less than 30 minutes must spend at least half that sum. I can appreciate that there are those individuals who make their living running the lights and managing the equipment on movie sets, and to them, I say, celebrate. This tax break makes it more likely that you'll be able to work close to home, an attractive development. It's not you with whom I find fault.
I do, though, find fault with those who aren't involved in the production industry. Do you remember that one Simpsons episode where Milhouse gets excited because Spinal Tap mentions the highway that runs near his house? By virtue of your own desire to have the rich and famous recognize that your city does, in fact, exist, you've taken on the qualities of Milhouse, except you're not funny. This problem, and it is a problem, seems to be incessant in Chicago. If you love Chicago, that's great. Be secure in your love. After all, it's your city; you live there. But other people recognizing that it's a great city, great enough to be the setting for a movie, shouldn't affect you in the slightest. If they get it, they get it. If they disagree, that's fine too. Your opinion shouldn't be affected by the amount of people who share it. Unless, of course, you love the idea of loving Chicago more than you actually love Chicago.
I can only imagine how saddened some must have been when the found out that Chicago wasn't filmed in Chicago, but in Toronto. Anyone who was upset because their city wasn't the setting for a movie is a fucking moron. I didn't want to say, I had to say it. If it makes you happy because Will Smith is coming to town to film some movie where he acts tough, accompanying this act with some 4-year-old street slang, my request is simple: Move to Indiana.
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