Zeisler states that, "[Ally Mcbeal] was irritating enough to knock down but conflicted enough to be held up as 'proof' that women didn't really want feminism-they just, in the end want to be loved and validated (99)."
Trailer for Bridget's Jones Diary (2001)
This critique could be applied to another popular female character known as Bridget Jones. The film Bridget Jones Diary is based on the book by Helen Fielding. It tells the story of a thirty something woman who works for a Publicity firm in England. She frequently worries about two things being single thus dying alone being eaten by dogs and losing weight. Bridget's shaky self esteem was used for comedic purposes. She frequently drinks when she is in nervous situations or feels unsure of herself (dinners with her married friends, social gatherings). Her career is only worth mentioning due to her crush on her boss. It is her romantic life that is the defining part of her identity. If she loses weight she will gain more self esteem and thus attract more men. Both Ally and Bridget self-narrate their thoughts frequently to the audience. Ally through her daydreams at the firm and Bridget through her diary and inner monologue that plays out throughout the film. These females fears of being alone is something that is taught by society. It is common to hear statements toward older females who are single "Why aren't you married?, "biological clock", "It's too late." Bridget is often derided or openly pitied by her married friends for being single at her age. For men the option of finding love is never time specific so there isn't the same pressure on them to lock down a spouse right away. For females it is much harder because as they get older, the males their age are either married or are desire younger females. This leaves a lot of females out and creates a greater sense of competition. For Bridget her romance with her boss Daniel ends when he cheats on her with a more conventionally attractive younger woman.
No comments:
Post a Comment