watching 'Grease' with a feminist gaze

[abbeylockhart]

Not seen it for years.

Dp says 'isnt it sexist?', will watch and see...

I don't think it's as sexist as it is totally, totally shit.

Well so far i like that the headteacher and school mechanic are women.

The girls eat carbs and arent size 0.

When one of the boys is perving, the others mock him.

Both Sandy and Danny try to change to be more acceptable to the other - but for some reason we only remember her outfit and smoking and not his trying to be a jock.

Please pay attention to how they handle Rizzo's pregnancy and report back on it - I don't remember it very well.

Only just starting, but from memory it's pretty much both of it's time as a film (1970s) and it's era (1960).

There's a good few issues addressed in there that could be worth unpicking;

Peer pressure/fitting into stereotypes (too pure to be pink, Sandy only being accepted when she dresses up at the end etc)
The all male "shop" class (but gets points back for the female teacher)
The percieved need to have a date for the dance
Marti's drink getting spiked by the tv guy
Rizzo/Kenicke and the teen sex/contraception/teen pregnancy storyline (with overtures of her possibly becoming a single teen mum - much bigger deal in 1960 than now, of course but still an inflammatory issue when the film was made)
Some of the language used by the boys about the girls (or is that just reflective of teenage boys??)
Yet the girls are depicted as much more promiscuous than the boys (Zsa Zaa is meant to be a bit of a harlot, Marti is stringing along GOK how many blokes etc)

I may come up with more as it goes on.

The second one was worse (as a film and as anti feminist drivvel) as by then the girls are deemed to "belong" to the boys

I re- watched and was pleasantly surprised how all the female characters were a normal size, very noticeable after watching High School Musical where they're all incredibly slender.

The fact that Rizzo takes responsibility for herself when she thinks she is pregnant and comes across as a much stronger character than Sandy.

There are worse things I could do,
Than go with a boy or two.
Even though the neighborhood thinks I'm trashy,
And no good,
I suppose it could be true,
But there are worse things I could do.

I could flirt with all the guys,
Smile at them and bat my eyes.
Press against them when we dance,
Make them think they stand a chance,
Then refuse to see it through.
That's a thing I'd never do.

I could stay home every night,
Wait around for Mr. Right.
Take cold showers every day,
And throw my life away,
On a dream that won't come true.

I could hurt someone like me,
Out of spite or jealousy.
I dont steal and I dont lie,
But I can feel and I can cry.
A fact I'll bet you never knew.
But to cry in front of you,
That's the worse thing I could do.

Agree that Rizzo is portrayed as a strong, independant woman - she does what she wants, and she's prepared to take the consequences. She loves Kenickie, but I don't think she needs him.

Sandy - way more iffy. Wholesome and virginal = unworthy, uncool; slutty and prepared to compromise her principals for her man = worthy and cool.

The 'pussy wagon' reference to the car is not v enlightened.

The bit where the condom broke ( which was edited out of the version i knew as a child) shows rizzo making the decision to go for it rather than being presurised. Kenike is revealed to be a virgin, but that doesnt make him less desirable or less one of the cool gang.

I think it illustrates v well the virgin/ whore dichotomy of teenage girlhood which hasnt changed at all in 60 years.

Just shown Sandy moving on from Danny. He is the one pining for her.

I love the way one of the worst things the Cool Girl can think of to do, is to be a prick tease.

Because of course, that's terrible, that is. Leading men on and then not following through. Shocking. What sort of appalling female does that?

Actually I think Grease is probably more enlightened than if it were made now.

I agree, id much rather dd watched this than twilight or hsm.

There is a bit about 'what do you do with your girlfriend the other 23 hours and 45 mins of the day', not good.

I like that Frenchy says going to beauty school is a "strategic career move". I think lots of people now think 50s women didnt have/ want careers.

Danny's wearing a bright pink shirt to the dance.

It is mentioned that one of the mums not only drives but has her own car with no inference that it is strange.

Marti goes alone to the dance without it diminishing her status.

" normal size!!!??"

Sandy is like a stick in that Lycra catsuit and frenchie' s collar bone sticking out oh and how jen is the " fat" one..... are we watching the same film?

"beauty school drop out - go back to high school"

Not a bad message actually: stay in school, get qualifications, beauty may be skin deep but the beauty industry isn't superficial requiring work not air headed vague dreams.

No one said " normal size" just not all size 0. They have muffin tops but it isnt mentioned/ isnt an issue.

There's a fair bit of female solidarity. They dont egg Sandy on to get back with/ forgive Danny.

It's just occurred to me that Grease might be on the telly :o. Have found it.

I like that Kenike goes straight to Rizzo when he hears the pg rumour and is willing to be responsible. He doesnt react badly/ blame her etc which is how it is often portrayed.

I like Grease, but that verse in Rizzo's song about being a prick tease always creeped me out a bit - it just sounds like a rapist's charter.

The boys are shown preening themselves much more than the girls.

Yes - the boys are far more interested in their own appearance, aren't they?