stereotypically, are women represented as dependant on men and does the women always have to 'get the guy' to make the viewer feel fullfilled and enjoy the film?
stereotypically, are women represented as dependant on men and does the women always have to 'get the guy' to make the viewer feel fullfilled and enjoy the film?
There are exceptions. See My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006) for example.
Some of my favorite comedies with women as either lead or strong character roles also would not fall under your characterization include:
Nanny Diaries (2007). Calendar Girls (2003). Roman Holiday (1953). The Devil Wears Prada (2006). Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007).
I will admit that it's extremely difficult to have a comedic screenplay where the leads don't get to together at the end. Comedy usually requires some comformance to cultural standards of what constitutes happiness and comedy and happiness is a much easier mix than drama and sadness.
A rather brilliant mix of comedy with strong female characters who don't always get their man can be found in the recently cancelled television series Charmed (1998-2006).
Posts: 963 | Location: Utah, United States | Registered: 22 July 2005
Originally posted by DJCookieDoh: but vice versa, isn't it also true
It sure is! I sooooo woulda loved the ending to "There's Something About Mary" if it had ended with Ben Stiller cryin' like a little b*tch! There's something strangely satisfying watchin' someone carsh and burn!
"I can't live the buttoned down life like all of you! I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles! Sure, I might offend a few of the blue-noses with my cocky stride and musky odor - oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called 'City Fathers' who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about what's to be done with this Monkey_Boy?!"
Posts: 2581 | Location: Springfield, Oh! Hi ya, Maude! | Registered: 01 January 2007
Originally posted by tabuno: Some of my favorite comedies with women as either lead or strong character roles also would not fall under your characterization include:
Nanny Diaries (2007). Calendar Girls (2003). Roman Holiday (1953). The Devil Wears Prada (2006).
I haven't given this a whole lot of thought, but it struck me as ironic that the female leads in at least four of the films you listed inhabits a stereotypically female role, i.e. a nanny, a pinup girl, a princess, and a fashionista.
I believe that this speaks to the fact that, even though they would have us believe that the female lead is strong and independent, the filmmakers still often force these characters to dwell safely in the confines of traditionally feminine domains.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You think I'm spending too much of my time starting up clubs and putting on plays? I should probably be trying harder to score chicks. That's the only thing anybody really cares about."
Posts: 294 | Location: Down the Spirit Hole | Registered: 17 June 2007
quote: Originally posted by tabuno: Some of my favorite comedies with women as either lead or strong character roles also would not fall under your characterization include:
Nanny Diaries (2007). Calendar Girls (2003). Roman Holiday (1953). The Devil Wears Prada (2006).
I haven't given this a whole lot of thought, but it struck me as ironic that the female leads in at least four of the films you listed inhabits a stereotypically female role, i.e. a nanny, a pinup girl, a princess, and a fashionista.
I believe that this speaks to the fact that, even though they would have us believe that the female lead is strong and independent, the filmmakers still often force these characters to dwell safely in the confines of traditionally feminine domains.
There's as big distinction to be made between the occupational position that they play and the actual character they portray in their respective movies. Each of the charactgers are not weak nor are then dependent as their occupations may suggest. Inevitably the men in each of the movies are cast off. The basic theme of this thread - "weak and depdent on men" remains in contradiction to the movies I've mentioned.
Posts: 963 | Location: Utah, United States | Registered: 22 July 2005
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