Thin and Beautiful

Why does Hollywood continue to underestimate audiences? I’m referring to the casting of Sheryl Lee Ralph in “Randall and Juliet,” the remake of the French film “Mama, There’s a Man in Your Bed” (Cinefile, April 22).

The reason “Mama” is such a special movie is that actress Firmine Richard is a heavy woman, dark-skinned and not beautiful in a “Hollywood” way. Do the producers believe that American audiences will respond to the movie only if a thin and beautiful black woman plays the lead role?

MARTHA STRAPAC

Huntington Beach