Brafuckingvo, girl. I always find your writing so compelling, and *this* was the analysis of this film I've been waiting for. I've been *so over* all the basic pieces (that you reference in italics) ... pieces that, to be quite honest, are aligned with what I myself likely would've written about this film 25 years ago as an English and Women's Studies major. This piece, your piece, is what I'd aspire to write today.
This article SLAPS. Absolutely going to watch this movie now. And the takedown of what uses makeup has that are “appropriate” or not was so fabulous. Anytime I hear the phrase “I do it for me,” you echo in my brain.
I have been having a weeks-long discussion with a male friend about this movie -- he loved it (he's a designer and the aesthetics appealed to him). I have really conflicted feelings about it. I decided to read the book first -- and wow, that ending! It honestly flipped the entire thing on its head. I wish the movie had nodded to it, somehow. I also wished both the book and the movie had more women characters who weren't one-dimensional. Could Bella not have learned all she needed to know from other women?
The book is also clearly drawing on Pygmalion -- the Godwin in the book explicitly says he created Bella for himself, and that the (main?) reason he implanted the infant brain in Bella and raised her without shame is so she would be willing to love *him* -- in the book, Godwin is described as physically monstrous, but sweet-tempered and "loving." He knows himself incapable of attracting a "normal" woman, so he makes one for himself. Doesn't quite work out as he planned.
Just overall I've spent way too much time thinking about this movie, and what it purports to say about women.
Ah, but wouldn’t it be hard to untangle “polite society” from the patriarchy? This is a great analysis. I loved the film and have thought about it a lot more than most other recent movies. Even more than “Barbie,” which I also enjoyed.
Angelica Jade Bastien articulated my feelings about this movie so brilliantly. I really didn’t like it, but obviously I am in the minority. Jessica, as always, thank you for your incisive writing!
Another writer I read on Substack this morning wrote about “normophobes” to describe the New York magazine’s cover story by Andrea Long Chu. So too might the point of view of this movie be described.
Thank you for mentioning the lack of body hair! That always took me out of the moment.
Brafuckingvo, girl. I always find your writing so compelling, and *this* was the analysis of this film I've been waiting for. I've been *so over* all the basic pieces (that you reference in italics) ... pieces that, to be quite honest, are aligned with what I myself likely would've written about this film 25 years ago as an English and Women's Studies major. This piece, your piece, is what I'd aspire to write today.
This reminds me Jess… you’ve gotta write about Kate Middleton and all the roles she plays
This article SLAPS. Absolutely going to watch this movie now. And the takedown of what uses makeup has that are “appropriate” or not was so fabulous. Anytime I hear the phrase “I do it for me,” you echo in my brain.
I have been having a weeks-long discussion with a male friend about this movie -- he loved it (he's a designer and the aesthetics appealed to him). I have really conflicted feelings about it. I decided to read the book first -- and wow, that ending! It honestly flipped the entire thing on its head. I wish the movie had nodded to it, somehow. I also wished both the book and the movie had more women characters who weren't one-dimensional. Could Bella not have learned all she needed to know from other women?
The book is also clearly drawing on Pygmalion -- the Godwin in the book explicitly says he created Bella for himself, and that the (main?) reason he implanted the infant brain in Bella and raised her without shame is so she would be willing to love *him* -- in the book, Godwin is described as physically monstrous, but sweet-tempered and "loving." He knows himself incapable of attracting a "normal" woman, so he makes one for himself. Doesn't quite work out as he planned.
Just overall I've spent way too much time thinking about this movie, and what it purports to say about women.
Can't wait for the marketing tie-in beauty brand "Poreless Creatures" ...
Ah, but wouldn’t it be hard to untangle “polite society” from the patriarchy? This is a great analysis. I loved the film and have thought about it a lot more than most other recent movies. Even more than “Barbie,” which I also enjoyed.
Angelica Jade Bastien articulated my feelings about this movie so brilliantly. I really didn’t like it, but obviously I am in the minority. Jessica, as always, thank you for your incisive writing!
again, brilliant. also yes please do bring down the patriarchy by writing about Kate Middleton.
FWIW, I absolutely agree - why on earth would anyone wear something that stings while you wear it? I tried Lip Venom exactly once. No thank you.
Brilliant.
Thank you for helping me organise my thoughts on this insanely chaotic but brilliant film.
Another writer I read on Substack this morning wrote about “normophobes” to describe the New York magazine’s cover story by Andrea Long Chu. So too might the point of view of this movie be described.
To say nothing of the nose jobs and lip enhancements Emma has already endured herself.