Women on Film, Summer Antidotes, Part II
Last summer, I did a column listing a bunch of female-centered movies as an alternative to the season's testosterone-drenching offerings. I realize that, technically, summer hasn't started yet, but the summer movie season is already in full swing, with flicks like "A Knight's Tale" and "Pearl Harbor" already in theaters. Therefore, I thought it was time to offer another sampling of movies with more estrogen than those currently out there. However, I think the movies on this list are a shade darker than the ones I listed last year, with females not always synonymous with sweetness and light. Still, at least women are central to these movies, unlike the sideline roles they're usually given in summer blockbusters.
So turn on the air conditioning, pop in a cassette and enjoy.
1. Girlfight: Ironically, this flick was released late summer/early fall of last year. It didn't make a lot of money, but it garnered lots of positive reviews and for good reason - it's a knockout (no pun intended).
"Girlfight" is the story of Diana (newcomer Michelle Rodriguez), a teenager who gets into fights at school and is miserable at home. Eventually, she finds an outlet for her rage - boxing.
At first, her coach doesn't want her to fight against men, but Diana eventually shows that she can hold her own in the ring. Rodriguez is gorgeous in a sweaty, gritty kind of way and never less than convincing.
What I like about the movie is that Diana is never punished for being aggressive. In fact, she becomes emotionally mature only after she channels her rage into sport. And the script never forces Diana into a dress so we can see how pretty she is. The movie understands that true beauty come from being yourself.
Plus, you have to love a movie where the heroine tells her boyfriend she loves him for the first time while sparring with him.
2. Election: The heroine of this movie is not a nice person. Ambitious, opportunistic and manipulative, high schooler Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) stops at nothing - and spares no one - in her quest for success. But I just love her so much.
"Election" is the story of a high school presidential election in which Tracy is initially the only candidate. However, a teacher (Matthew Broderick) who wants to teach Tracy a lesson talks the most popular boy in school, Paul (Chris Klein) into running against her.
This makes Tracy angry - and you won't like her when he's angry. She yells at Paul, whines when yet another candidate (Paul's sister) enters the race and tears up Paul's posters.
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