A very clear example representing this issue was in a movie called Tomb Raider. In the reading, Ziesler mentions how there are very few action movies with the girl as the lead role. For the most part this is true, but there are still a handful of action movies where a female does earn the lead part. When analyzing Angelina Jolie’s role in Tomb Raider, it is not hard to realize that her character is deeply affected by this objectification of women. In the movie, there is hardly a single scene where ‘Lara Croft’ is not wearing tight, skimpy clothing. Her general appearance and attitude is obviously appealing to the male standard. In order to attract more men, and therefore many more viewers, Jolie is thrown into this role that is very misleading and debatable.
This is a picture of one of the scenes in the movie. ‘Male gaze’ is clearly present in this scene. Zeisler defines the ‘male gaze’ as “the idea that when we look at images…we’re seeing them as a man might” (7). This scene, along with a few others, exploits the idea that Jolie is an attractive woman. Her part in the movie is surprisingly legitimate though, in my opinion. Throughout the story, she is consistently winning fights and whatnot (as most heroes do) and the fact she is a girl never really slows her down. Although she does a great job at playing the part and making a successful movie, it is apparent how the ‘male gaze’ still had it's affect.
Here is the movie poster for the film. As you can see, Jolie is wearing a very tight shirt paired with noticeably short shorts as well. It is truly a shame that one of the most seen advertisements for this film is just flaunting Jolie’s body. Especially after seeing the movie, one would have to admit that there are a decent amount of action scenes that surely could have made another trailer poster just as easily. That is, though, where the problem lies. Men will be that much more attracted to the idea of seeing the movie after seeing that poster. It is crazy what that simple change can do to help sales for the film. Honestly, that can make sense in only one way, from the advertising standpoint. Whether or not this movie were to concentrate on her body, that poster leads all that see it to believe the movie will contain a lot of emphasis on Jolie’s hot look. Unfortunately, this is the advertising angle movie producers use in hopes of raising popularity of the movie.
The idea that a lead role in an action movie should not be a woman is completely twisted. Women deserve every right to try for the part. As a head representative stated, though, movies with women as lead roles make less money. This is very important because the film industry is just that-an industry. In order for a movie to be worth filming, there must be some assurance that the movie will actually make money so that there is a profit. In order to solve this case, they could simply pay the lead role less money than a man would normally earn, to balance out the loss of money. Of course, then, the argument that women aren’t getting paid as much as men would surely be brought up and would ignite yet another debate. Regardless, women should obviously have a fair shot at trying for action movies, assuming they fit the role. Angelina Jolie was given this wonderful opportunity to make a great action movie, and she definitely capitalized on said opportunity. But, due to the way women are portrayed in pop culture, her role was compromised and was forced to subdue to the ‘male gaze’ in order to have hopes of the film finding success.
Zeisler, Andi. Feminism and Pop Culture. Berkeley, CA: Seal, 2008. Print.
Pictures from:
http://www.moviegoods.com/Assets/product_images/1010/196622.1010.A.jpg
and
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5726/angelinajolietombraider.jpg
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