Recently, I wrote about an overused theme that one brilliant videographer is calling “born sexy yesterday.” Basically, it’s that concept of a fully-grown woman with the innocence and intelligence of a small child. It sets my teeth on edge. But that post sparked some interesting conversations with friends.
One, in particular, said, “This goes along with the Cinderella transformation trope. You know, the beautiful woman (insufficiently) disguised by glasses, modest clothing, pinned-up or pinned-back hair (to be let down later), and minimal or nonexistent makeup so she can be transformed into the approved version of skin-exposed beauty and fashion (and somehow dispense with the glasses). It’s in several movies I like: Bend It Like Beckham does it, but mildly. Miss Congeniality does it big time for laughs but with some clarity on how artificial it is (and with a nod to imposed food denial). The Winona Ryder version of Little Women does it, too–with criticism! The trope is so, so, common. There’s even a reverse Cinderella transformation in It’s a Wonderful Life, when George Bailey finds out what happens to Mary Hatch when he’s not around to marry her. Just to reinforce the idea that intelligence, independence, female singlehood, and female beauty don’t go together, she’s a timid, scared (no male protector!) librarian, too. “
Oh, great. Now I can’t even watch It’s a Wonderful Life without a jaundiced eye. What’s next? Will I be forced to dropkick puppies into active volcanoes? I can’t stand it. But it sure makes you think about how much female subjugation we get fed with our movie popcorn.
Another friend mentioned that in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, the main character is plain. It’s a big part of who she is. But when this amazing novel gets remade into movies, the actresses that are chosen to play Jane are always beautiful. Sometimes they’re poorly disguised to be plain, and sometimes even that lazy effort isn’t made.
What’s wrong with Hollywood? Better yet, what’s wrong with us for letting Hollywood off so lightly? Just once, I’d like to see someone who looks like me on the silver screen. Plain and overweight and no longer in her prime, yes, but also intelligent and creative and funny and decent and lovable. It really is possible to be that complex. What a nice message that would send to girls.
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