Understanding Heroines - Movie Review Example

Understanding Heroines The role of women in movies has evolved through time depending on social, technological and demographic factors that influence the transition. As emphasized by Cote, “in the past, the main role of women in movies was to either act as a love interest for the leading actor or as a weak and frail "damsel in distress". While this role is still prominent in many movies today, the female character has begun to evolve into a stronger, more important role” (par. 1). In this regard, the objective of the essay is to choose three leading female characters from any three movies through 1942 that we have not viewed and discuss. Characters who cannot longer be understood the same way today because out reviling attitude toward the women have changed so thoroughly since the movie were made. For each of the heroines or leading characters, the following concerns would be addressed: (1) to describe the attitudes that other characters in the Post 80 viewing assignment: choosing from Queen Latifah in " Bringing Down the House", Jennifer Lopez in " Selena" , Julia Roberts in " Erin Brockovich" or " Quinceanera" . (2) What do these protesting women really want? (3) Why did Woopi Goldberg become the first women of color to become a major movie star? And (4) what in the climate of the 90s and early 2000 allowed the careers of Goldberg, Latifa, Halle Berry, J-Lo to flourish? Three Leading Characters Theda Bara was described by Rosen as “with her waist-length black hair, her darkly kohled eyes and crude exotic make-up, Theda Bara embodied still primitive notions of depravity and wanton lust. She postured triumphantly as the poor male on whom she drew a bead was driven to drink, ruin, slavery ...” (5) Theda Bara catapulted to fame during the era of the silent films and her official website depicted the star as “the first studio-made sex-symbol superstar and the very first ‘vamp’” (Theda Bara, par. 1). Audrey Hepburn, on the other hand, was illumined by Rosen as “Hepburn simply out-dazzled by the sheer force of her piquant joie de vivre and the apposite way she was put together. Perhaps it was the unusual combination of a narrow, bony body which she carried like a queen and an elfin face whose doe eyes contradicted by the strength of intelligence in the look, the irregular nose and wide mouth whose smile was at once sensuous, mischievous and absolutely sincere” (285). Her career was more colorful and her achievements include becoming the “special ambassador to the United Nations UNICEF fund helping children in Latin America and Africa, a position she retained until 1993. She was named to People's magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world… She had made a total of 31 high quality movies. Her elegance and style will always be remembered in film history as evidenced by her being named in Empire magazine's ‘The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time’” (Jackson, par. 1). Finally, Mary Pickford was described by Rosen as “with her thick golden curls, her cherubic body and pretty face, she was, from the beginning, the incarnation of angelic sweetness and childlike innocence” (37). A Canadian, Pickford’s career begun in 1909 and ended in 1933. She acquired the name “America’s Sweetheart” due to the image, fame and fortune amassed during the peak of her career (Canadaka, par. 2). The three female lead characters who became famous through the 1940s were shown to manifest roles of from focusing on the physical traits of beauty and sexism as the main captivating elements to increasing emphasis on enhanced awareness of women to expand their roles from the traditional housewife to intelligent and participative members of society. Comparative Analysis with Post 80 Heroines 1. Protesting Women When compared with famous heroines during the post 80s, such as Queen Latifah in her portrayal as a an ex-convict who met Steve Martin, a tax lawyer, through the internet, Jennifer Lopez in "Selena", and Julia Roberts in "Erin Brockovich”, these women’s roles prior to 1980s manifest submissive and passive tendencies promoting the dominion of the male gender in films and in society. The protesting women of the 80s, through the character of Queen Latifah, for example, exerted efforts to convince Martin to assist her in seeking recluse from justice wrongly served. Jennifer Lopez as Selena, a Tejano singer who was murdered before her 23rd birthday in the midst of her success, manifested the significant transformation in the role of women catapulting to fame from sheer talent and desire to exceed the expectations of many. Julia Roberts, as Erin Brockovich, a legal clerk turned environmental activist protested against the dumping of chemicals that contaminated the drinking water of the town of Hinkley by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California in 1993. These women want to exude the ability of the female gender to rise above the traditional role of housewives and being unfairly and unjustly treated, to instrumental members of society as entertainers or environmental activists, who saved and changed lives by their active promotion of justice. 2. Whoopi Goldberg Whoopi Goldgerg’s movie that paved the way for her success and acclaimed fame is The Color Purple, a film based on the book written by Alice Walker. The Shmoop University revealed that “the story follows an uneducated black woman during thirty years of life, through her suffering and attempts to find love and happiness in life. It graphically depicts the violence and sexual subjugation that many black women endured during the 20th century” (par. 1). The release from the bondage of cruelty and the ability to gain freedom and redemption, as manifested in the lead character, Celie, provided the opportunity to showcase the need to redeem the Black people from the bonds of racial discrimination and prejudice. As such, her role as a heroin gave the impetus for her catapulting to major movie star status, despite her color. The success of another movie, Sister Act, exposed Goldberg’s versatility, from the drama of The Color Purple, to a hilarious comedy that aimed to revolutionize traditional hymn singing in church to a more lively and inspirational approach, generated respect and adoration for this female heroine. 3. Climate of the 90s and early 2000 allowed the careers of heroines to flourish The awareness and equality accorded to women during the 90s to the early 2000s with roles that expanded from sticking to passive and submissive stances, to protesting inequality and injustice pervade the climate of the 90s and early 2000. The developments in technology and the need to expand women’s roles in social circles and due to economic need allowed the careers of heroines to flourish. As Richard averred, “in the 21st century, a number of women have played in roles in which they tackle real issues and illustrate that women don't have to be victims” (par. 3). They could continue to exude the best of their physical attributes but emphasize a host of other talents, skills, and abilities that are instrumental in justifying their heroine role, both in films and in real lives. Works Cited Canadaka.Net. Mary Pickford. 14 September 2007. Web. 15 May 2011. Cote, Daniel. Women in movies: How 21st century film-making has impacted the gender divide. 31 January 2009. Web. 15 May 2011. < http://www.helium.com/items/1204411-the-role-of-women-in-movies> Jackson, Denny. Audrey Hepburn Mini Biography. 2011. Web. 15 May 2011. < http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000030/bio> Richard, Cicely. Women in movies: How 21st century film-making has impacted the gender divide. 10 October 2008. Web. 15 May 2011. < http://www.helium.com/items/1204458-women-in-movies-how-has-21st-century-film-making-impacted-on-the-gender-divide> Rosen, Marjorie. POPCORN VENUS: WOMEN, MOVIES, & THE AMERICAN DREAM. New York: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1973. 416 p. Print. Shmoop University. The Color Purple. 2011. Web. 15 May 2011. < http://www.shmoop.com/color-purple/> Theda Bara. A Theda Bara Tribute. N.d. Web. 15 May 2011. Read More