Titanic
The premise of Titanic is, of course, the sinking of the ship. It also involves Rose and Jack falling in love while on the ship.
Jack Dawson and Rose Dewitt Bukater are the main characters
The film has several women in it, including Rose, her mother, and the Unsinkable Molly Brown.
The women do mainly talk to the male characters, but do have scenes with one another.
Molly talks to Rose’s mother about general ship gossip. Rose’s mother speaks to Rose about their debts.
Rose’s character is meant to represent the invisible lives women lead. Breaking away to be with Jack is meant to signify rejecting this life. In this way, women are represented, but otherwise they are invisible.
This specifically is important to my health and the health of other women because it is a character that shows women do not have to be invisible.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The plot is about a hotel proprietor taking in a refugee, making him an exceptional lobby boy, and eventually leaving him his fortune.
The main characters are Zero and M. Gustave .
The film has several women in it as secondary characters. Agatha and Madame D. are the only female characters with lines.
The two women only speak to male characters .
They talk to male characters about everything from romance to stolen art.
Madame D. gets murdered. Agatha, though brave, is an object of affection. Women are invisible.
The film does little for my own or women’s health. It is a poor representation of what women can do in the world, or in difficult situations.
Lost in Translation
Two individuals in Tokyo find friendship in an unlikely place
The main characters are Charlotte and Bob Harris
The film has two women in it.
Two women have a scene together once, wherein Charlotte meets her husband’s old acquaintance and the two exchange basic greetings while her husband does most of the talking. After the friend departs, Charlotte laughs at her intelligence.
Nothing is discussed beyond introductions.
Women are represented and visible in this film in the way that Charlotte struggles to find a connection with somebody, as well as someone to listen to her. It feels this happens often.
While women are not represented in abundance in the film, it is good to see a woman openly attempt to find meaning in her life, as well as a connection without it relying only on sexuality or romance.
Like Crazy
An American student and an English student meet and fall in love in California. When she violates her student Visa, she is barred entrance into America. The two navigate their relationship long distance.
Jacob and Anna are the main characters.
The film has at least two women in it.
The film centers on Anna and Jacob’s conversations.
Anna’s mother asks several times if she’s happy in a general way, and asks about work. Anna also has after work meetings with her female boss, involving discussions about Anna’s professional progression, leading to a promotion.
I think women are represented relatively well in the film. Anna is strong and while she loves Jacob, she carries on professionally and even romantically in England when the two begin to wonder if they will ever be together again. She does not begin to cry every time they fight, and she is often the one to reach out first, initiating their relationship with a long letter. She defies many stereotypes real women do not adhere to.
Her character is good for my health and the health of all women because it shows a real woman. Anna is committed to her job and excels at it. She is romantic, but realistic about love. However, when she and Jacob are able to be together, she returns to him and attempts to rebuild things, likely because she knows if it doesn’t work out she can start again.
E.T.
An alien gets left behind on earth and is found by a sick boy who wants to help him get home.
Elliot and E.T. are the main characters
The film does have at least two women, if you count Drew Barrymore, who was four at the time.
Barrymore and her onscreen mother do talk to one another.
It is never about romance, and often about washing up for dinner, asking where her brothers have been, etc. .
Elliot’s mother gives a good representation of a single mother. We find out Elliot’s father has fled the family and his mother works to keep them all afloat. She is clearly almost losing her mind, but loves her children dearly.
It is likely there were no other adult women in the film for Elliot’s mother to speak with because she didn’t have that kind of time raising three children and working full time. It is a true representation of the situation many women find themselves in today, and while she may have looked invisible, a closer analysis reveals she is the strong backbone of the family. Her quiet presence in the film is good for my health, as well as the health of women everywhere.
References
Cameron, J. (Director). (1997). Titanic [Motion Picture].
Cameron, W. (Director). (2014). The Grand Budapest Hotel [Motion Picture].
Coppola, S. (Director). (2003). Lost in Translation [Motion Picture].
Doremus, D. (Director). (2011). Like Crazy [Motion Picture].
Speilberg, S. (Director). (1982). E.T. [Motion Picture].
