Not just another pretty face
comfortable with her looks.” Said Emma, something that women are all too often shamed for in our society. “It doesn’t really matter that she’s beautiful.”
“There’s a sense of power there.” Continued Biggs. “There are comments on her beauty but they’re not used as intimidation or sexualisation. She’s beautiful and sexy and powerful without her being diminished or objectified.”
Stephanie Mccully added that “She was smart. She never used her looks, you know? She seemed almost unaware of her beauty.”
Furthermore, there’s a distinct lack of classic Hollywood ‘varnish’ in DC’S new flick. Both Biggs and the Mccullys noted that there seemed to be a lot less airbrushing.
“The people on screen are real, strong women. I saw crow’s feet and armpit wrinkles” said Biggs, with Emma remarking that “It’s nice to see someone that isn’t a perfect super model. It’s a common trope to have famous women all look kind of the same. It’s empowering to see Wonder Woman look real.”
Beyond looks, Biggs was glad to see the super heroine fight other stereotypes.
“Diana took typically feminine traits and turned them into powerful attributes.” She said, noticing that ‘womanly’ characteristics are often seen as weak or silly. “She was very self-possessed in the movie. She holds her place with dignity.”
Emma adds that “Wonder Woman was vulnerable, you could tell she had a lot to learn, even at the end of the movie.” But she stressed one point: “She’s naïve, but never fragile.”
Mccully puts it bluntly: “The fact that she was a woman wasn’t pushed in your face. She was just the hero, that’s all.” She commented further, saying that she appreciated the fact that the male lead didn’t take up too much space either. “The love story wasn’t imposed as the most important plot point either. It was Wonder Woman’s choice to get involved. There’s no damsel in distress situation in the movie.”
According to Mccully, even Gadot’s relationships with her fellow women are constructive in Wonder Woman. “The Amazons are strong too, but there’s no competition.” She points out that women are often pitted against each other in films, but not this one. “There’s just these beautiful displays of teamwork.”
All the women agreed that Wonder Woman is a movie that provides a great role model for women everywhere. Emma went to see it with a group of friends, all of whom loved the experience.
“We talked about the movie a lot.” She said. “Wonder Woman is fierce! I’m excited to see her in other movies. It’s nice to look up to someone who does something just because it’s the right thing to do.”
Her mother agreed “I’m debating taking my 7 and 9-year-old to see it as well.” Even though she admits that she’s hesitant on letting her kids see the violence demonstrated in the film, Gadot portrays such an excellent role model that she might allow it anyway.
Biggs hopes that Wonder Woman will normalize the image of strong capable women in mass media, saying: “I hope it will be a given.”
“It takes a long time to change paradigms, especially regarding gender roles or sexuality. It takes generations. I think that the movie will impact the younger ones the most, even younger than teens. Everyone needs to see it.”
Women in film are often portrayed in ways that are problematic. Even Wonder Woman has its issues but as far as superhero movies go, it’s a win. As Biggs said,
“She doesn’t wait for permission. She just goes, even when the men don’t agree. She follows her gut. Seeing a woman in such a position of power, it touched me. I was watching with tears streaming down my face. It’s been a long time coming.”