‘Pie’ Is in Bad Taste

At first I thought that Kenneth Turan was being sarcastic in his review of “American Pie,” and then I realized that he really meant what he wrote (“Raw Crust Disguises Sweet ‘Pie,’ ‘ July 9).

I thought he was joking when he likened the film to one of the old lighthearted Andy Hardy comedies. I guess I missed the part in those films where Mickey Rooney and his friends discussed masturbating into food items--right before announcing that he and Judy Garland were going to be putting on a show to raise money for some worthy cause, no doubt.

The sad part is that “American Pie” is not even original in its grotesqueness--go reread “Portnoy’s Complaint” by Philip Roth. Same basic scenario, but with a piece of meat instead of an apple pie. And I really don’t see how any movie that objectifies a woman’s genitals by likening them to baked goods can be “respectful to women.”

MARK MARTIN

Eagle Rock

*

After seeing “American Pie,” I was absolutely appalled--not by the film, but by Turan’s birdbrained analysis of it.

“American Pie” is enjoyable for what is it: a gross-out, teenage sex comedy. To try to place it on the same plane as “anything Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland ever experienced” is simply absurd. I hope Turan exhibits more responsibility to the public in the future.

D.F. PIERRE JR.

Los Angeles