Sunday 4 February 2007

A Hero

I was very relieved about the news that Joss Whedon had dropped out of Wonder Woman as I was never 100% convinced it would work as a movie with today's ideas of feminism. Especially not the way we remember Wonder Woman. Sure Joss Whedon created an amazing hero

Like the human race, the ideas of feminism are changing. Not so long ago women had to be ice cold bitches to compete in a man's world in order to reap the joys of success and along the way sacrifice family and friends in doing so (Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada illustrated this point all too well).
In today's society it is women, adhering to male ideals, who are bringing down women. Size zero models with blonde highlights are everywhere (to my lovely cousin Carolyn…..STAY DARK!!!!). Look at Janice Dickenson saying to the beautiful fuller figure model on one of the seasons of America's Next Top Model “I don’t like fat in couture!”.

To exert sexual power you are told you have to look like a Pussycat Doll and lets face it, just because you are wearing a leather strap that barely covers your minge, that does not make you a sexually powerful woman……you are just a whore in leather unless you can back your look up, a la Madonna in the 80’s/90’s, and that was a MUCH different time. Women in pop could not be overtly sexual, while men (Prince) could…..Mad’s bridged the gap.

Now it seems every young starlet is flashing their snatch at the nearest camera as if to make a statement that women are in control. It seems to me they are getting out of control and trying to bring a downfall to successful women. Would Wonder Woman stand for this today? No. Madonna proved that point back in the 90's. She has since covered up (leotard aside) and is tackling issues with greater global significance. Lindsey, Paris, Brittany....move on, put some knickers on and look at the world around you, put your money to better use and stop drinking! Look at poor Peter O’Toole so see the long term effects of alcohol abuse…..he is 75 and looks 175.

If this awards season has done anything right it is to allow real women to take centre stage. Most of this years female award nominees have not been of the stereotypical ‘young and skinny’ mold. Even the ingĂ©nue’s of this awards season have broken the mold: fuller figured and *gasp* ethnic (America Ferrera and Jennifer Hudson).
Today Wonder Woman would be sent to us to combat advertising agencies, casting directors, tabloids/the press, Hollywood executives, and the various pop-queen-wanna-be’s. She would make us all see that a woman can be beautiful and sexy and still shop plus size; she can be a success just by raising well adjusted children, and she can run a business and be respected as a intelligent, and determined individual.

What we need is a Wonder Woman who is not a sexy siren, but a woman of average build, sans make-up and who kicks ass while wearing very sensible shoes.

3 comments:

Poli said...

Honestly, I thought Joss Whedon would be the only one who could do it right. But I do see your point, and it's very well said. How can she be feminist in today's world and still retain her 'Wonder'?

Very interesting indeed.

Michael Parsons said...

Thanks! In a way, Ugly Betty is the closest thing we got.

Anonymous said...

I was looking forward to it until I heard that Catherine Zeta-Jones -Douglas was in the running to slip on the puffy blue knickers - that would not be good because she is too big boned for that kind of outfit ! I agree with you Michael, Joss is fantastic but he would have had his work cut out for him in trying to get the right tone for this vehicle.