Opinions On The Representation Of Women In Romantic Comedy

[alicia]

Hi everyone, for my Year 13 Media Studies coursework i have chosen to analyse the representation of Women in Romantic Comedies. i am looking at Pretty Woman, Bridget Jones Diary and possibly The Sweetest Thing, but general opinions on any aspect of their representation from appearance to relationships would be really welcome too.
Thanks a lot,Alicia x

[samkydd]

The best example I can think of off the top of my head which is well worth viewing is Barbra Streisand in What's Up Doc, which was the benchmark for similar contemporary comedies and many actresses since have tried to copy her character's style; Sandra Bullock for one, and many others of her ilk.

[DB7]

Nobody can seriously accept Julia Robert's representation of ladies of the night in Pretty Woman? It's a very dangerous profession where those involved are risking their lives or the possibility of falling into drug abuse. I'm sure some women may appreciate Bridget's many neurosis but she's maybe the independent fun-filled figure that they'd like to be were it not for the 9-5 drudgery.

[Jennie_Kermode]

I have persistently had agreements with the various companies I've reviewed for to the effect that romantic comedies are the one genre I will not cover. When I try to watch them I find myself feeling really angry and often wanting to hit the main characters. It seems to me that female characters in such films are developed in much the same way as male characters in mainstream pornography - they cannot be allowed to seem more capable than the viewer, so they have to be dim, neurotic, unobservant, diet-obsessed, romantically obsessive, and a host of other unappealing things. Curiously, they are allowed to be pretty, but they musn't _realise_ they're pretty - I expect this enables the intended viewer to imagine that there's some beautiful aspect to her own appearance which she hasn't recognised yet, but which the right man will recognise instantly.

Of the films you mention, 'Pretty Woman' is the only one I've seen. Aside from the unrealistic presentation of prostitution (which Tarantino had a good laugh about in 'True Romance'), I found the love story quite unbelievable, which was unfortunate, as there wasn't really any other plot. Julia Roberts' character was so flimsy and superficial that it was hard to see what anyone could get hooked on; when she was charming, her charm was that of a lost puppy. Sure, the hero may have found her sexually appealing, but it was hard to imagine them staying together for more than a couple of months.

There are occasional films which fall outside this pattern. In 'Annie Hall', for instance, Diane Keaton's character is at least as appealing for her personality as for her appearance, and there's real chemistry between the leads (unsurprisingly, given their personal relationship at the time). 'Kissing Jessica Stein' manages to do something different with its heroine not by way of centering on a lesbian relationship, but by showing a reltionship which doesn't really work out - it has the romance, it has the comedy, and it has a more believable relationship between two people whom one can just about identify as human beings.

Jennie

[A Pemberton]

(Jennie_Kermode @ Oct 1 2005, 12:37 PM) There are occasional films which fall outside this pattern. In 'Annie Hall', for instance, Diane Keaton's character is at least as appealing for her personality as for her appearance, and there's real chemistry between the leads (unsurprisingly, given their personal relationship at the time). Jennie

Well said Jennie,If you want a more representational view of how a romantic comedy should be made look at representation of women in the majority(not all) of Woody Allen films especially Annie Hall, though they do have the advantage of an insecure and neurotic male lead which adds to the fun more than dashing square jawed hero

[arty-dave]

Why are doing Alicias coursework for her while she sits on her arse and does nothing?

[sanndevil]

Yes, I think we need a policy decision here as there seems to be loads of Media Studies students dropping by - no contributions from the members until we see some evidence that the posters have actually done some legwork themselves

Better still, I sense a money-making opportunity. All students - I have a Masters Degree in Film Studies. Wanna buy my essays?

[Steve Crook]

(sanndevil @ Oct 3 2005, 03:38 PM) Yes, I think we need a policy decision here as there seems to be loads of Media Studies students dropping by - no contributions from the members until we see some evidence that the posters have actually done some legwork themselves

Just remind them that their tutor may well be on this forum as well, either just lurking or posting under an alias.

Steve (or is that an alias?)

[samkydd]

(sanndevil @ Oct 3 2005, 04:38 PM) Better still, I sense a money-making opportunity. All students - I have a Masters Degree in Film Studies. Wanna buy my essays?

How about a copy of the Masters Degree instead?

[Steve Crook]

(samkydd @ Oct 3 2005, 07:17 PM) How about a copy of the Masters Degree instead?

A Masters degree in Film Studies?
Here

help yourself

Steve (MSc)

[Clinton Morgan]

That joke probably only works if you believe that higher education=a job. Whatever happened to going to college/university for the joy of learning. Has it got to the point where people snigger, "What? You got a Phd in English literature and it didn't get you a job in Penguin Books? Well, that was a bloody waste."

In any case Alicia don't rely on the internet or messageboards for information or opinions. Use the library and published books instead. The old fashioned method is the best. The key thing is to provide a good substantial argument.

[penfold]

(Clinton Morgan @ Oct 3 2005, 09:20 PM) In any case Alicia don't rely on the internet or messageboards for information or opinions. Use the library and published books instead. The old fashioned method is the best. The key thing is to provide a good substantial argument.

Or better still, watch the films, and then come to your own conclusions; unless you are writing about critical reactions themselves. Books can toe party lines, current (and not always correct) trends in thinking. People in film studies must learn to appraise films for themselves, not just regurgitate past prejudices and lacunae.

[sanndevil]

(Steve Crook @ Oct 3 2005, 10:03 PM) A Masters degree in Film Studies? Here help yourself Steve (MSc)

After careful consideration, the most erudite response to that is
F* OFF!!!

Sanndevil MA BSc

[Steve Crook]

(sanndevil @ Oct 4 2005, 08:13 AM) After careful consideration, the most erudite response to that is F* OFF!!! Sanndevil MA BSc

Very good
So you went over to the dark side after your bachelor's?

I have an MSc without getting a BSc. I do like to do interesting things in unusual ways.

Steve

[sanndevil]

(Steve Crook @ Oct 4 2005, 01:05 PM) Very good So you went over to the dark side after your bachelor's? I have an MSc without getting a BSc. I do like to do interesting things in unusual ways. Steve

Yup, I've always been a great believer in gittin' yerself an edercashion, and intend to continue to study. I got an HND in Mechanical Engineering, then an undergraduate degree in Maths (or for the benefit of our American readers, Math, then I started an Open University degree in Law which I would like to go back and finish, then just recently I completed my Masters in Film at the University of Westminster. They claim they invented Film Studies as a recognisable study subject in this country in the 60s, but I went there purely because lectures are nice and central in Regent Street and start at 6:30pm - handy after work. I would recommend the course to anyone thinking about film appreciation. Most students were (like me) late 30s / early 40s and NOT in "the industry"!

I haven't decided what to study next, but I did see a Masters Degree in Rocket Science advertised the other day (I kid you not!) - could be a useful combination of my Maths and Engineering. There again, could be too much like hard work. I'll see how I feel come September 2006!