I would like to watch a few films that don't leave me frothing at the mouth and lecturing my husband on WHY he shouldn't have enjoyed it

[YunoWhatYouDidLastSummer]

I don't mean specifically feminist agenda films, just mainstream stuff that doesn't portray women as optional extra vaginas / nagging uptight beeatches.

Something feelgood wd be nice, but any suggestions welcome.

Any recommendations?

[POFAKKEDDthechair]

That was I've Loved You So Long Butterfly. I didn't like the ending much.

There are 'women' French films that your dh would probably turn his nose up at, which are wonderful. The Dream Life of Angels, and Water lillies.

[POFAKKEDDthechair]

Ginger Snaps brilliant.

Haven't seen Bound.

[POFAKKEDDthechair]

Black Book utterly brilliant film about a jewish woman in the Dutch Resistance.

[earwicga]

Thanks TrillianSlasher - that was how I remembered it so you saved me looking it up to double check. Really enjoyed Juno - great film.

[TethHearseEnd]

Juno was written by a woman? Well that's blown my theory out of the water

Actually, I think that makes it worse!

[LittleRedPumpkin]

I quite liked Juno. OTOH I think Amelie is a pile of patronizing crap.

[AnyFuleKno]

I like Juno a lot. She's not a victim, she's in control and smart.

HOw about Run Lola Run, it's quite action-y and cool but intelligent and arty as well. (German with subtitles)

[AnyFuleKno]

Bechdel test is a bit reductive

[EauRouge]

Try Hard Candy.

[Mumcentreplus]

Long Kiss Goodnight?...

[POFAKKEDDthechair]

Nooo!
Nikita [French one]

High Art good [lesbian] film.

[JessinAvalon]

I found Black Book really harrowing. And the director seemed to take every opportunity to get the lead actor to get her tits out which I thought was unnecessary.

It was a good film though.

[Rosettaroo]

Carve her name with pride, life of Violette Szabo, special operations executive officer in WWII.

[POFAKKEDDthechair]

It was Paul Verhoeven film, he of Showgirls no less,so tits and sex expected. But it worked, in context of the exploitation of women in the second world war and how women had to survive.

[ThePumpkinofDoomandTotalChaos]

not exactly feelgood, but The Hours might suit (reminded indirectly by Prolesworth mention of Todd Haynes/woman's film).

[30andMerkin]

OOh, there's a Mike Leigh season starting on Film 4 this week (I think it's this week anyhow). Mostly not feelgood, but Happy Go Lucky is (clue's in the name!) and lots of interesting female characters in his work. Really hope they show Secrets and Lies again, amazing film.

[EvilAntsAndMiasmas]

Definite yes to Made in Dagenham
Persepolis - must watch if you haven't already
Fish Tank was a LOT better than I was expecting.
Waitress - do watch this
His Girl Friday - doesn't pass Bechdel test but an excellent film about a journalist who's left it all behind to get married but can't resist a great story and gets drawn back in
Hocus Pocus? :o (really like this though)
First Wives Club
Magdalene Sisters is miserable but supposed to be v good.

Juno was such a mixed bag wasn't it? She didn't seem too fussed about her baby really - no attachment. And the first 15 minutes or so of her wise-cracking really pissed me off. It was trying too hard. But it got better as it went along, and I loved the treatment of the man-child husband and how Juno and the wife dealt with him.


oooh, Kickass? Watched it the other day (usually hate violent films) and there is stupendous little girl assassin - not to everyone's taste I know but she is wonderful.

[RubberDuck]

Kick Ass is bloody awesome, I only added it slightly tongue in cheek.

Great reasons why it's a positive female film here Jezebel: In Defense of Hit Girl (warning though, it does have major plot spoilers)