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Mrs America

65 replies

unique1986 · 08/07/2020 21:18

BBC 2 now😉

OP posts:
Moanranger · 10/07/2020 20:34

They are quite different characters, but Schlafly was indeed quite a speechifier, esp in comparison to Gloria Steinem. Remember, Steinem is a journalist, so most of her communications were written, and her actual speeches were rather gnomic. I think she is being portrayed as somewhat ditzier than she actually was, but I think the contrasts you are pointing out are actually more accurate than you think.
I believe a lot of Blanchett’s dialog is verbatim speeches from Schlafly

stumbledin · 11/07/2020 00:00

I can remember both Bella Abzug and Shirley Chisholm and emphatic speakers from tv at the time, and so why aren't they having verbatim dialogue.

Obviously it may change but the contrast between episodes 1 and episode 2 and who is being portrayed as having substance (even if you dont like her views) and the other characters who aren't given any depth is as far as I am concerned bad scripting.

But then as Blanchett was the producer or something I suppose it is inevitable that she would get the best dialogue. But it under the series to be this blatant.

stumbledin · 16/07/2020 14:26

Okay, so in both episodes yesterday the two women focused on both had lots of speeches, Shirley wonderful, Betty - oh dear (I would be a Betty going off script, not observing the rules!).

So Gloria is being presented in a different way, but in terms of the series get no idea of how she survived as a journalist let alone set up Ms Magazine!

I wonder whose memoirs they are using.

But last night also reminded me of just how dirty party politics is!

Has anyone seen any comments from the women portrayed about how they feel about the series?

Mawbagz · 17/07/2020 07:25

I have to say Gloria Steinem’s portrayal is disappointing

In the first few episodes she looked like a caricature with her hair flying everywhere and her one expression.

Now the wig is off and she’s will coming across as insipid and expressionless

The actor was clearly chosen for her similarities to Gloria physically but the acting/direction is below par. Shame!

CaptainMyCaptain · 17/07/2020 08:46

Schlafly's hypocrisy was stunning. She basically had a full time job in politics and most of her 'home making' was done by staff. Not to mention the way she used her followers and overlooked the racist and homophobic elements to get what she wanted. A vile person.

Deathraystare · 17/07/2020 13:39

Didn't Schlafy get breast cancer? I seem to remember reading it somewhere.

Deathraystare · 17/07/2020 13:50

Is Shirley Crazy Eyes (orange is the new black?). If so ..wow.

Is Shirley a real character? I know black women felt marginalized and I do not remember reading about a 'Shirley'.

shartsi · 17/07/2020 13:53

I watched the first two episodes. Then it disappeared off my Sir recordings and downloads. I have been trying all week but can't find it. Anyone know how to find it

stumbledin · 17/07/2020 15:49

If you mean Shirley Chisholm she is one of the most famous Black women in America! www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/shirley-chisholm

This is a series about true events. ie not just male chauvanism but also the cess pit that is party politics!

stumbledin · 17/07/2020 15:51

BBC web site has all the episodes www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08ggcmd/episodes/guide

shartsi · 17/07/2020 15:52

@stumbledin thank you

CaptainMyCaptain · 17/07/2020 17:57

Is Shirley Crazy Eyes (orange is the new black?). If so ..wow. Yes she is - the role couldn't be more different.

Deathraystare · 17/07/2020 18:10

stumbledin

Oh Goodness. I read a lot of feminist articles and books but do not remember her at all.

Deathraystare · 17/07/2020 18:10

I mean I did not see her name come up and the fact that she was black. I do remember black women feeling larginalized by the white feminists.

Deathraystare · 17/07/2020 18:11

Marginalized

stumbledin · 17/07/2020 19:01

Sorry - not having a good day and totally missed the reference to Orange is the New Black Blush Skim reading can lead to all sorts of misunderstandings. Phew!

stumbledin · 18/07/2020 15:29

bump

Thunderpunt · 19/07/2020 21:49

Finished this today and the staggering thing is where the US is with this currently.... the footnotes at the end, and how many states haven't ratified. Loved it though, thought Cate Blanchett and Sarah Paulson as Alice were brilliant.

stumbledin · 23/07/2020 19:02

Watched the 2 episodes last night. Find it interesting but all a bit strange these random women who somehow decide the "Women's Movement" should to this that or the other with no reference to discussion or consultation or ...

But what was depressing is them showing the attempt to get the sexual harrassment (and worse) of female staff acknowledged and dealt with, and how (some) women put party loyalty before support for other women.

Hardbackwriter · 23/07/2020 23:40

I watched the first two episodes today. I don't agree with the comments upthread about Gloria Steinem not getting any good lines or purpose - her 'how long should we wait?' outburst was a polished speech like the Schlafly ones but it was powerful and it was made clear that her dedication to the pro-choice movement was very real and both personal and political. I don't think she is just a caricature.

stumbledin · 30/07/2020 19:13

Last episode tonight!

Watched yesterday's 2 episodes and wasn't very taken with the sort of flower power experience.

But - Betty had redeemed herself - thanks goodness! (I assume this is true)

And my response to Gloria Stteinem sort of backuped by her being called a "political dilittante"

Still sort of frustrating that what was a massive movement is being shown as somehow the work of a few women from New York who knew each other.

Moanranger · 31/07/2020 07:59

I thoroughly enjoyed Weds episode & Alice’s transformation, esp with her unwittingly taking what appears to be acid (LSD) Ah, those were the days!
Agree it didn’t show the breadth of the movement, but drama tends to be unfolded by the interaction of characters. A documentary would be different. The ending got me thinking about where movement feminism went, but in many ways, it became part of mainstream politics, as so many biases against women were removed. While the ERA failed to be passed to date, the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment has been effectively applied to eliminate legal sexism. But cultural sexism? Another matter...

Chwaraeteg · 31/07/2020 08:10

Oooh, this was so good (though I think it ended in a weird place).

I binge watched the whole thing in about 3 days and I'm not a binge watcher by nature. I was horrified by how little some things have changed!

It's inspired me to read the feminine mystique which is blowing my mind atm!

stumbledin · 31/07/2020 14:07

Reading the Feminine Mystique strangely helped me understand my mother. She was of the age that WWII although horrible allowed her as a woman the freedom she had not had before. And like most women suffered really badly with being sent back into the home. (Common in both Europe and the US so that men could get "their" jobs back.)

So not just the women as individuals but how society (government) can force through policies which negatively impact women (often because they dont even think about women). eg after lockdown and the increase in home working the probability that many women will lose out in terms of employment.

And have to say I didn't realise that the ERA was still waiting for final confirmation!

Why there is no mass movement is because feminism was co-opted by the mainstream and the media, and it became incredibly individualistic. The idea of going to a meeting and reaching consensus (briefly glimpsed in the bedroom scence when stoned Alice eavesdropped on a meeting that Gloria Steinem had come to the room to attend.

And also the rise of social media. Whereas before, particularly if you were stuck at home, and didn't have much privacy, it was something really important to go out and meet up with like minded women. The power of the movement was that it was based on a whole network of local women's groups. Not as the tv series implied a few well connected women making deals with dodgy politicians.

Pester power.

Too many women now think being on twitter is being political when in fact twitter is the least used social media platform and if anything is trapping women in a cul de sac that doesn't lead any where. Smile

Sooverthemill · 31/07/2020 14:42

I'm watching this now, an episode a day. I'm just too young (I'm 62) to remember the detail of any of this at the time but do remember newsreel of the feminist protests and read the feminine mystic a few years later when doing O levels. In 1977 at university I was in various women's groups and caucuses and remained so for many years. We had spare Rib not MS and I wish I'd kept all my copies. I think the feminist movement was very different then. This has reminded me how far they came and how far they have to go. Do you know Phyllis Shlaffleys group still continues?