Female positive films. Name some

[Nikia]

I was rereading Backlash by Susan Fauladi recently. One of the things that she speaks about is there being few female positive films made. She was referring to during the 80's. Now that I think about it, this could apply to the films since then too.
Name some, preferably 90's films or later.

[wildhorses]

1. Norma Rae, Erin Brockovich, Fried Green Tomatoes

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. Bound.

And it's hot as hell, too.

[Drum]

4. Saw that a few weeks ago.

Tres hot!

[ForrestGump]

3. "The Long Kiss Goodnight"

Geena Davis kicks bootay.

I guess Tomb Raider could qualify in a similar vein, but I didn't really think much of either film (other than, of course, the opportunity to see the lovely and talented Angelina Jolie).

Thelma and Louise, too, but in the end they die...is that saying that they stepped far outside the bounds of their accepted roles and had to pay the price or that they, by then, were doing it all on their own terms, including picking how they end their story?

[Nikia]

6. I think their dying was punishment for stepping outside of the role

That's how I'd interpret it.
I haven't seen Long Kiss Goodnight or any of the other films mentioned in the other posts.
I saw Tomb Raider once when it came out. I'll have to watch it again to decide.

[wickerwoman]

60. I didn't see it as a punishment...

simply that they had changed and that society hadn't to the extent that there was no way for them to re-enter society. To me it was a criticism of the society that drove them there (in a sense pushed them off the cliff) rather than a punishment for breaking societal norms.

[wildhorses]

5. don't flame me but I think

Scarlett O'Hara was a strong female in GWTW:shrug::popcorn::hide:






















:yoiks:

[Nikia]

8. I haven't actually watched that either

I have heard different things about it both ways, although from what I've heard, I would sawy that isn't the type of film we are talking about.
I am most interested in more modern films not only because of its influence on society but because there are actually fewer women in Hollywood (writers, producers, directors, ect.) than there were in earlier eras.

[wildhorses]

9. okay-- what about In Her Shoes?

I thought that showed some female characters: Toni Collette, Cameron Diaz, and Shirley Maclaine

[StellaBlue]

24. I LOVE GWTW

Seriously, I have seen it 67 times.

I always identified with Scarlett as a child, and somehow missed the part where she is a spoiled, petulant, blind, selfish child. Like, the whole movie. :D

Seriously. I love that she is unconventional, doesn't care what anyone thinks, and is determined to survive on her own terms. I still have my poster of Vivien Leigh above my bed. I got it when I was 10. I am now 27. It makes for a very art deco boudoir, I must say. ;)

Anyway, while the whole movie is about how she pines, stupidly, for Ashley, we are still drawn in because we want to see her survive. She's a real firecracker. You can admire parts of the character, and despise others (just as with real people). Point is, though the movie is about her silly, immature crush on Ashley, we come to realize (much sooner than Scarlett does!) that the really important story is one of survival, guts, and, ultimately, redemption.



Does Scarlett become more like Rhett after her epiphany at the end? In the beginning we think he's shallow and selfish like Scarlett (he says he is!), but it turns out he is actually a singular person, to be admired. The reason the ending is foggy is because it's up to us to decide which Scarlett wins out in the end, after the lights come on in the theater. If it was sunny, we would assume she goes after Rhett and gets him back, just as she always, ultimately, gets her way. If it was a dark and stormy night, we would assume that the moment on the stairs was Scarlett's nadir - her karma, her just punishments. As it is, though, we are left to wonder.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that she was achingly beautiful.

[SeattleGirl]

25. GWTW is my all-time favorite movie.

I always felt a strong identification to Scarlett, too, because of her strength, and because she saw a lot of the southern customs for what they were -- a way to keep people, especially women, down. Yes, she was spoiled, petulant, and a brat, but she was also strong AND she was a survivor. And Rhett saw her for who she truly was, and that's what he loved. He didn't expect her to be a good southern lady; he wanted her to be herself. One of my favorite scenes is when the newly-widowed Scarlett kicks convention in the face, and dances with Rhett.



I will say that when I was younger, I didn't care for Melanie. Thought she was, as Scarlett called her, "mealy-mouthed." But in her own way, Melanie was as strong as Scarlett.

[StellaBlue]

35. I totally agree with you.

Your entire post.

That might be my very favorite line:

"Oh yes I will!"

[SeattleGirl]

36. That line is Scarlett in a nutshell.

:hi:

[StellaBlue]

37. This is my myspace avatar

with the caption, "Never drink alone, Scarlett, people always find out." !!!

:hi:

[SeattleGirl]

38. You're on myspace? Cool

Love that pic too. Hey, my MySpace address is http://www.myspace.com/librawoman.

[wildhorses]

51. what about Delores Clairborne

and Shakespeare In Love

[barb162]

55. Delores Clairborne was wonderful

And the acting was great.

[jus_the_facts]

7. Erin Brockovich and Mona Lisa Smile....on edit to add Marvin's Room...

...both starring Julia Roberts. :)

Erin Brockovich Plot Outline: An unemployed single mother becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city's water supply. (2000)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195685/

Mona Lisa Smile Plot Outline: A free-thinking art professor teaches conservative 50's Wellesley girls to question their traditional societal roles. (2003)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304415/

on edit...also Marvin's Room (1996)

Plot Outline: A leukemia patient attempts to end a 20-year feud with her sister to get her bone marrow.

Meryl Streep .... Lee Lacker

Leonardo DiCaprio .... Hank

Diane Keaton .... Bessie Greenfield

Robert De Niro .... Dr. Wally

Hume Cronyn .... Marvin

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116999/

[jus_the_facts]

14. Waiting To Exhale 1995

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114885/

Tagline: Friends are the people who let you be yourself... and never let you forget it.

Plot Outline: Based on Terry McMillan's novel, this film follows four very different African-American women and their relationships with the male gender.

Cast overview:

Whitney Houston
Angela Bassett
Loretta Devine
Lela Rochon

[Flaxbee]

10. Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp

Mona Lisa Smile
Mean Girls, in a way

I hope I think of more soon.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

29. I have a funny story about Chocolat.

I was watching that with my girlfriend (at the time) and her 15-year-old son. Out of nowhere, he says, "I want to live on a houseboat with Johnny Depp." Naturally, we both did a total double-take and he stutters out, "No. What I mean is...like Johnny Depp is awesome and living on a houseboat would be awesome, so living on a houseboat with Johnny Depp would be like super awesome! You know, because Johnny's like cool." We just looked at him and said, "Bennet, we're lesbians and we want to marry Johnny Depp. You can be a straight boy and want to marry Johnny Depp." He turned red and was quiet for the rest of the movie.

:rofl:

[PassingFair]

53. The ORIGINAL Gloria.

She kicked ASS and took names as an aging "moll" who had
HAD it!

"You let a WOMAN beat you!"

I LOVE her.

[Joe Chi Minh]

64. That was brilliant! I also love the great, wild expressions you

Americans use: She kicked ASS and took names!

I lapped up Jackie Brown, too. I thought Pam Grier was brilliant. Everything is understated with her, yet she has such presence, I couldn't take my eyes off her.

[barb162]

58. Chocolat , thanks for thinking of that one

[bertha katzenengel]

11. Shirley Valentine. n/t

[libnnc]

12. "North Country" is a recent one that I really like

Also, "Places in the Heart" mid to late 80's is a good one too.

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. Babette's Feast; Twister; Blue; White; Red; Kiki's Delivery Service;

Princess Mononoke; Spirited Away;

plus all of the above.

[Withywindle]

17. Hee, Twister!

Just saw that again on cable last week sometime.

Big guilty pleasure. I love the weather porn.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

32. I could watch that movie over and over.

Seriously, between the tornados and my Helen Hunt crush, I can never get tired of that movie.

[Kali]

15. More a movie than a "film" ... Alien!

The first one. Sigourney Weaver.

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. The Thing

:P

[Benfea]

18. It would help if you explained what you mean by "female positive"

I agree that women in Hollywood films are too often used as mere window dressing, but this discussion would be more meaningful if you expounded a bit.

[Nikia]

20. I guess to me

It means that women are treated as people and are central characters in the film. They are not just a stereotype, like the good wife and mother who sticks to her role or the "bad" girl who gets all the men. They are not punished for stepping outside of their role or if they are, the film doesn't seem approve of that. These films seem to approve of the fact that women are actually people, not a male accessory or a negative stereotype.

[Benfea]

46. Well, I don't think Hollywood is as bad as it used to be.

Of course, my perspective may be skewed by the fact that I mostly watch science fiction movies, and sci-fi isn't as bad about that sort of thing as other genres.

[idgiehkt]

19. Leaving Normal

That one rocks, Meg Tilly and Christine Lahti. I think that's probably my favorite. I can't think of anymore right now.

[billyskank]

21. Amelie

Charming film.

[Arugula Latte]

30. I LOVE that flick.

:thumbsup:

One of my top ten favorites ever.

[nytemare]

41. That is a great movie.

Especially when you are feeling a tad blue.

[jus_the_facts]

22. Jessica Tandy's character in Nobody's Fool (1994)

http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=nobody%27s+fool

Paul Newman was, as always, masterful. So was Jessica Tandy. As unlikeable as Bruce Willis is, he is a great actor and does very well here. And even though it was a fairly small part, I think this is Melanie Griffith's best work ever. Philip Seymour Hoffman as Officer Raymer is hilarious. The script, directing, everything came together seamlessly. I highly rcommend this film. Grade: A

...it was Ms. Tandy's last film and dedicated to her memory.

[peacefreak]

23. Antonia's Line

Real Women Have Curves
Boys on the Side
and



The Sweetest Thing?
:evilgrin:

[Monk06]

43. Bingo !!!! Antonia holds the family together.

[hfojvt]

26. Sleepless in Seattle?

Well at least it is the movie that mentions "Backlash"

"a woman has a better chance of getting killed by a terrorist than of finding a husband"
"That's a myth. A whole book has been written showing that to be a myth."
"Have you read that book?"
"Nobody's read that book."

Looking at my collection I do not see any, except for the Thelma and Louise that Gump suggested to me, and I am not sure that really qualifies. I am not sure many in my collection would be called anti-women

I do like the characters played by Ally Sheedy in War Games, Short Circuit, and Only the Lonely.

Also, I just noticed the Matrix, which reminds me of what I wrote to MoDo.

Remember the Trinity 18 May 2003 (I do not remember the movies she wrote about. It was something about movies that showed 'successful' men and companion-seeking women)

" I do not have your advantage, having seen neither movie you reference. However, you are only looking at half of each movie. In "The Matrix" which I just bought on DVD last week - there is one female character, who is not a stereotypical man-hunting female. She writes software, fights, shoots, and flies helicopters as well as any of the males in the movie. Although the male gets to be "The One" it is the love of Trinity that makes him that. Without her love he is dead - killed by Agent Smith - a stereotypical male anti-hero.
Hollywood also produced Sarah Connor of the Terminator movies.
In the other movie, you do not mention the male character except to say that he is a suave writer. My guess is that for all of his success that he is somehow incomplete, that his life is made whole, or gains a new depth and purpose because of the love of and for the heroine. I also guess that he finds more to love about her than just her false eyelashes and short-shorts. She is probably somewhat Trinity-like, just as her man is also "The One" (i.e. successful, powerful, and rich).
The real problem is that in the world of Hollywood, love and happiness are only for the cute and fuzzy bunnies, for the lucky and the strong. What happens to all the men who are not "The One"? Some of them get to be Smith - "the evil One". Some of them get to be Morpheus - "the One-lite". Many others are just part of the body count, just one more blade of grass that gets trampled when the elephants fight. Others turn to the dark side, like Cypher, who would love to be loved by Trinity and is sick of being Morpheus' flunky.
What happens to the majority of women who do not look as good as Trinity, cannot be helped by false-eyelashes, and would look more ridiculous than sexy in a pair of short-shorts?
It is very rare for Hollywood, or even literature, to tell the story of Joe and Jane Average, much less to imagine that they can find love and happiness."

[peekaloo]

27. Fargo.

Oh yah, Margie.

[SeattleGirl]

31. "Uh oh. I think I'm gonna barf."

That line totally cracks me up every time I hear it, just the way Francis McDormand says it! :rofl:

[peekaloo]

33. and her genuine excitement over having Arby's for lunch kills me.

must be the pregnancy cravings.

:D

:hi:

[SeattleGirl]

34. I know! She was delightful in that movie.

:hi:

[sarge43]

28. Dangerous Beauty n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

39. Working Girl with Melanie Griffith and Harrison Ford.......plus

Signourney Weaver......

I loved that movie!

Melanie totally rocks!

In fact, the whole damn cast does...

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

40. Vera Drake, Calendar Girls, 8 Women, Take Care of My Cat

edit - Can't not mention My Sassy Girl (before Hollywood has its way with it next year) & But I'm A Cheerleader.

edit 2 - actually, the woman who's written the American remake of My Sassy Girl has a couple of solid positive female films behind her -- Bhaji on the Beach and Bend it Like Beckham.

[riderinthestorm]

42. Calendar Girls and in a wierd way, Underworld.

[lizziegrace]

44. Steel Magnolias n/t

[MichiganVote]

45. Julia

[mark0rama]

47. Bend it like Beckham (nt)

[Ravenseye]

48. Return of the Jedi

The head of the Rebel Alliance, Mon Mothma, is a female, and Princess Leia helps lead the strike team on the shield generator on the forest moon of Endor.

Does that count?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

49. Strangers in Good Company, oh, and duh, Whale Rider. The Other Side of

Sunday.

Strangers in Good Company: A Canadian film about a group of older women on an outing from a senior center who are stuck overnight at an abandoned farmhouse in the woods after their bus hits a rock and breaks down.

As they figure out how they're going to eat and keep warm overnight, they start telling their life stories, which are based on the actual life stories of the non-professional actresses, who include a nun, a woman who has had a slight stroke, a lesbian birdwatcher, a very old woman who is afraid to die, a woman whose only son has died, a Native woman, and several others whose stories I forget. The one young person is the thirty-something driver, who broke her ankle when the bus hit the rock and can therefore not go for help.

Every woman I've recommended this film to has loved it.

Background info: Originally, this was supposed to be a film about a mixed group of men and women, but once they started filming, the older men proved to be too bossy, bossing the actresses and even the director (a woman), so she fired them and went on to make a film with all women.

Whale Rider: Need I say more?

The Other Side of Sunday: A Norwegian film about a girl growing up in the fundamentalist end of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in the early 1960s.

[TimeChaser]

50. Princess Mononoke

At least it is in my opinion :shrug:

[devilgrrl]

52. Passion Fish

:shrug:

[BlueIris]

54. Stepmom.

I found that to be a meaningful discussion about modern female identity within familial roles. Extremely subtle and nuanced portrayals of the main characters were turned in by both Surrandon and Roberts (a rarity).

[Zomby Woof]

56. The Contender

Joan Allen is fantastic in this political drama. :thumbsup:

If you haven't seen it, rent it ASAP. She plays a Democratic senator who has been nominated to replace the deceased VP, and has to overcome rank sexism concerning a rumor about her youth. A stellar cast, with Jeff Bridges, Sam Elliot, and Gary Oldman, plus an excellent script with great plot twists. An underrated film.

[devilgrrl]

57. Ruby in Paradise

:shrug:

[wickerwoman]

59. Rabbit Proof Fence

It's a movie about three aboriginal girls in the Australian outback who ran away from the school that was trying to forcably assimilate them and walked 3000 miles through the desert to get home.

I always thought if I ever had daughters that's one I'd definitely show them.

[Oeditpus Rex]

61. 'La Ciociara' ('Two Women')

Here's the IMDB summary (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054749/):

Cesira and her 13-year-old daughter, Rosetta, flee from the allied bombs in Rome during the second world war. They travel to the village where Cesira was born. During their journey and in the village, the mother does everything to protect Rosetta. However, on one occasion they both get raped by soldiers hiding in a church. This cruel event is too much for the always powerful fighting Cesira and she suffers from a breakdown. During their stay in the village, a young intellectual, Michele falls in love with Cesira who does not know how to reply to the advances of such a gentleman.

Sophia Loren plays Cesira. She won the Oscar for Best Actress.

I haven't seen it in at least 30 years, but I recall it as a very powerful film.

[sakabatou]

62. Kiki's Delivery Service

Ghost in the Shell

[struggle4progress]

63. Salt of the Earth (1954)

... Production Co.: Independent Production Corporation / International Union of Mine, Mill & Smelter Workers ...
92 minutes
16 mm
Black & White
English
G Certificate

... made independently by .. victims of the .. blacklist that resulted from the .. House Un-American Activities Commission .... HUAC offered .. the spectacle of leading figures of .. film .. throwing .. colleagues to .. cold-war paranoia. Ten .. were blacklisted .. by the studios. The director, writer and producer of Salt of the Earth were .. members of the Hollywood Ten, forced to set up their own independent company .. to continue making films .... The subject .. was defiantly anti-establishment: a restaging of .. a .. miner's strike in New Mexico .... In filming .. on .. location with participants in the original events ..., Biberman .. made a .. neo-realist .. film of conscience teeming with .. natural performances, thematic ambiguity, social commitment and - most unusually - strong, believable leading roles for women .... In the following quarter of a century this unapologetically socialist, pro-union film has been more often cited for its pioneering feminism. And for a film conceived by three men in the nineteen-fifties, its achievements in this area are rather unexpected. In the film, Esperanza and her sisters not only take up the cause of their husbands when the menfolk are legally disempowered, but significantly twist the focus of the dispute to incorporate their own particular grievances. The women's bid for sexual equality is so fundamental to the story that even the notional 'heroes' of the film - the miners and their union - are sidelined for their opposition and misunderstanding of it ...

http://film.society.tripod.com/nzffs/bib-salt-of-the-earth.htm