I went to see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants alone today. (S works late, and I can't imagine a time when my sister and I will be able to arrange a visit for a movie; and anyway, we had planned on meeting up to see Revenge of the Sith because she hasn't, and I'd like to see digitally projected.) I really like seeing movies alone, provided it is the right movie. I saw Monster's Ball alone, and that was perhaps the wrong decision. But I also took myself to The Princess Diaries 2, and that was a great experience. I've never thought that going to the movies with someone was necessary for the enjoyment of a film, and while it's nice to share a good movie with someone, it's just not that important.
Sisterhood was good; if you've read the book, you've seen the movie. Part of the reason that I appreciate the book and by extension, the movie, is that it really does emphasize the power and importance of female friendships. The girls might find boyfriends, but the most important relationship that these girls have is with each other. I don't think girls get that message very often, especially in films and books. I'm trying to think of where I first read this rule, but I do know that it originated in Alison Bechdel's Dykes to Watch Out For (a comic strip). I do know that I only became aware of this rule within the past year. It had to be on a blog; I'm almost 100% sure of it. (I'm sorry if it was you, and I'm not crediting you. I just cannot remember.) Anyway, one of the characters in the strip has this rule about movies; she won't see a movie unless: a) there are at least two female main characters, b) the (at least) two female main characters have a conversation c) about something other than a man or man troubles.
Can I tell you that I now apply this standard to every film? I still see films that don't make the rule, but I'm more aware of what's going on. Sisterhood, I hasten to add, definitely, DEFINITELY passed with flying colors. (The conversation Tibby has with Bailey about dying was pretty damn amazing. And I've been rolling the idea around in my mind, and I think I agree. Bailey says she is not scared of dying [if you haven't read the book, Bailey is a 12 year-old girl who becomes friends with Tibby; Bailey has leukemia], but she is worried that she won't have enough time to figure out who she is supposed to be. And that she is afraid of what she will miss. Pretty basic stuff, but pretty much something you don't hear said out loud that often.) RotS, not so much. Even Fever Pitch, which I really enjoyed, didn't make it. The only conversations Drew Barrymore has with her girlfriends are about boys. And I want to see Must Love Dogs (saw a preview today. John Cusack + Diane Lane = movie yumminess.), but I'm willing to bet that the only conversations with women that Diane Lane has in the movie are about men.
Pretty sad that a teen movie (or a percieved teen movie) bests the rule in so many ways, and that so many movies aimed at "adults" don't allow women to have lives other than men. And that in SO MANY, so many movies, there is only one female lead. I think I've just convinced myself that Sisterhood has a bit more value than I gave it credit for when I walked out of the theater.
Very interesting observations on a movie I'm going to have to see by myself, too! S.N.
Posted by: | June 03, 2005 at 07:23 PM