Fred posted a books review which held the following:
"He assembles such an arsenal of examples--including more
than 150 recent films--that it seems undeniable: Women are
embracing a new model in which autonomy and aggression are
valorized."
Leaving aside the whole issue of whether or not you can read
the beliefs and behaviors of audience ("women are embracing")
into the films they are offered and may even see, I'd be
interested in seeing that list. Still, women of that
description were a staple of film noir. They have now crossed
over beyond that single genre and have even sometimes become
the main character instead of the path to the hero's
destruction (not that they don't still lead men to
destruction).
However, with very few exceptions, these women do not
triumph. For every Bridget Cross (from Last Seduction) there
are several characters like Demi Moore's in Disclosure, who
are crucified for trying to act like men.
I have come to see these women as inoculation. After
acknowledging that women have acquired some power in society
(often by supernatural or mutant reasons), these movies and
books try to stuff the women back into the same gender
relations. Even with their powers, these women usually get
into trouble because they are led by their emotions. Also,
it's amazing how many of these women who kick ass need the
direction of men, require a father figure (like Charlie, or a
real father in the case of Lara Croft) to give them
direction. And aren't most of these films created by
men?
So does this also apply to current hardboiled and noir books?
Actually, that seems to be a major subtext of female PI
books, trying to find a balance between traditional male and
female traits and behaviors.
Mark
ps -- this reminds me of a great line I just heard in the
preview of David Mamet's next movie, Heist. Delivered by Gene
Hackman, "She could talk her way out of a sunburn."
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