Ruin your favourite books/films with a spot of feminist analysis

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

Got thinking about this on another thread where I was wittering talking cleverly about the problems I have with Bridget Jones's Diary (the book, the problem with the film is that stuffy faced plonker Firth).

One of her boyfriends is a total cheating dickhead, obviously. But the "nice" one, Mark Darcy, is incredibly patronising towards her, repeatedly "rescuing" her because he wants to fuck her. Which is all well and good, but whereas in Pride and Prejudice (the origin of BJD) Darcy has a lot of respect for the female protagonist, which she earns by being smart, witty, standing up for herself etc, BJD removes that whole side of her. When she stands up for herself it is something she later apologises for.

Anyway - anyone else want to join me?

Also Inspector Morse (re the Woody Allen thing) In Colin Dexter's novels he is even less attractive than John Thaw (fat, balding, into porn, in other words: looks like Colin Dexter) but still has younger women finding him attractive.

John Thaw was OK-ish, but every week he'd be pulling some forty-something, when my seventy seven year old Mum would probably have thought twice about him. Mind you they always turned out to be the murderer so perhaps they thought Any Port in a Storm before a long spell in Holloway.

On the subject of Calamity Jane (who I love), I have just finished watching the box-set of Deadwood, in which she has a happy ending of sorts with Joanie Stubbs, who was herself abused as a child and pimped out, experiences depression and suicidal impulses, but goes on to forge a life lived with integrity.

It was really moving.

Tee Hee @ balloon slayer re: Morse.

I always found it bizarre as a child that both glamorous 40 somethings Krystal and Alexis were in a hot lather over that doddery grey-haired grandad Blake in Dynasty.

OMG never heard of Deadwood.

There are three series, Elephants. Possibly the best-written television drama ever made, with some really superbly-drawn female characters. Based on historical truth too.

Calam is fabulous. Love that film! Haven't seen Deadwood though...

Oh my goodness. It's time we made my little cottage a castle made for three...BoF, Belle & meeeee.

Three series eh?

Oh yes, romancing the Stone. I think Kathleen Turner's character would have had a better time if she didn't have Michael bloody Douglas jumping all over her like a dog on heat every 10 mins.

I agree about Morse in the books, if they hadn't done the telly series no way would they have had any longevity.

I also hate all the "woman is there to prove hero is not gay" roles in films. Surprisingly Die Hard 4 had literally a kick arse woman who had a very brutal fight with Bruce Willis, obviously she had to die due to the fact that Bruce has to survive, but at least she was treated equal to the male baddies.

See this is why I liked Kickass. By rights the incredibly skilful female ninja character would have to either a) die in order to let the bloke be the hero or b) snog the bloke.

But no! For lo - she is a little girl! So she can just carry on being amazing, and not be molested by anyone! Huzzah!

I grew up with The X-Files as a favourite program. Really horrible stuff happens to everyone, regardless of gender, race, age, profession, socio-economic position, 'goodness level' etc

Poshpaws about Saturday Night Fever...but it was filmed to shock...it was a comment on these guys and their attitude was'nt it? It was deliberately shocking.

Reality Bites- super smart girl walks away from fab career opportunity to play house with slacker boyfriend

Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion- girls wait for a man to come along to but them a business to run.

To Kill a Mockingird- woman makes false rape allegation

James Bond films -have been rewatching these with DS- I find myself having to explain why his treatment of women is so inappropriate as we watch, Ditto Carry On films

Trainspotting- Ewan McGregor has sex with 15 yo schoolgirl, who is portrayed as promiscuous as opposed to a victim of statutory rape

The Opposite of Sex- pregnant (school)girl tries to pin responsibility on innocent rich man, she is promiscuous, lies, cheats, steals and eventually abandons her baby. Stereotype?

4 Weddings and a Funeral- Man refuses to marry the love of his life and leaves a trail of broken hearts in his wake

The Full Monty- man is praised for choosing stripping as a means of income rather than a low paid factory job (filled with women)

The Breakfast Club- Girl (Ally Sheedy) gets a makeover to snatch a boy

Cocktail- Tom Cruise cheats on then abandons pregnant girlfriend

Books: Jane Eyre only returns to Rochester when he's emasculated and brought to his knees, she can't cope with his unbridled masculinity.

Oh, come on, Manhattan is a great, great film. And not just because it is in black and white.

As for Sex and the City, I've always thought that the main theme was friendship. Am I deluded.

The Wire is my fav series, but some lament the lack of female characters.

They've been rerunning James Bond films at the weekend and had to explain to ds why Roger Moore was slapping around a woman to get her to talk yet was still the 'good guy'

Have you seen Deadwood, Dittany? I need someone to share my love...

Don't bother with the movies (I only watched the first on tv, it is silly, but I managed to shed a few tears nevertheless).

I liked The Opposite of Sex. It's about the girl for a start, and yes she's cruel and disruptive but to me the film says it's just something she's been through after a fucked up childhood and she is moving on.

I'm not sure it was given a decent timeslot when they showed it here. It was an HBO show, I think. Have a look here.

Worth watching for Calamity Jane alone

Oh I've seen people talking about Deadwood on MN. Just can't remember who it was.

But... In Trainspotting the girl is running the whole situation, she orchestrates the sexual encounter from start to finish, and he has no idea at all that she is underage. How can the male character be vilified for that? Once he finds out he is suitably shocked.

I too took Rizzo's song to mean crying in front of the peers who judge her in school and label her as the school slut. "You think I don't know what they're saying about me?"