Film #10: Easy A (2010)

Introduction

Easy A (2010, Will Gluck)

The purpose of this essay is to spot the characteristics of feminist film theory in the film, “Easy A”, directed by Will Gluck.

Theory Discussion

Feminist film theory is a theoretical film criticism obtained from feminist politics and feminist theory. It first started in the 1920s to look at women’s expression of her own subjectivity. Feminist film theory fully developed in the late 1960s after the radicalized feminist movement which is sexual liberation and political debate of the female representation.

Feminism is a set of political practices seen through the analyses of the social or historical position of women as subordinated, oppressed or exploited in dominant modes of production such as capitalism or by social relations of patriarchy or male domination. According to Anneke Smelik (n.d), feminism is a social movement which has had an enormous impact on film theory and criticism.  Films are viewed as a reflection of the society and vice versa, we can seek out the ideological and social construction of women in films. Themes found in feminist theory include discrimination, stereotyping, objectification, oppression, and patriarchy.

Christian Metz claimed that viewing film is only possible through scopophilia which means we get pleasure from looking, which is best represented in silent film. Laura Mulvey then defended the discussion of the visual pleasure of females on screen, known as “the gaze”. Mulvey introduced cinema as a medium of voyeurism where visual pleasure is derived with the perspectives of looking.  There are three perspectives of looking. Firstly, the male character looks at the female characters in the film. Secondly, the audience watching in the cinema looks at the female character in the film. Lastly, the audience watching in the cinema looks through the eyes of the male character who is looking at the female character.

There are three ways on how to look at feminism in films. Firstly, it is to assume the predetermined sexual identity to expose the misrepresentation of women in films. The assumption here being female is repressed by a patriarchal society. Secondly, it is to look at the various female representations in the film and compare them to seek out the final resolution of the preferred female representation. Lastly, it is to look at the female representation of the film from the female spectator’s point of view.

Synopsis

Easy A is an American teen comedy film directed by Will Gluck in 2010. This film is loosely based on the novel named “The Scarlet Letter.” Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) told a lie to Rhiannon Abernathy (Aly Michalka) in the toilet that she lost her virginity to her brother’s friend, George. Marianne Bryant (Amanda Bynes) heard about it and spread it around the school. Then, Olive told Brandon about the truth and Brandon asked her a favour to help spread the rumour that he is not gay. After that event, multiple guys approached Olive for “services” in exchange for money or coupons. She was defined as a “whore” after all these rumours began to spread.

Film Analysis

In the film, Easy A by Will Gluck, there are several female characters. I will use the second approach or way to analyse their characteristics and comparing them, then, choosing the preferred female representation of the film.

Firstly, Olive Penderghast is the main character in the film. Olive is a smart and independent girl. She always voices out her opinion and her family is open minded. Her parents even encouraged her to have boyfriend and have babies at her age. She is also a helpful and manipulative person. She helps her schoolmates to let them spread rumours with the particular male in exchange for her money or coupons after Marianne spread a rumour of her losing her virginity and it became viral. Olive does not conform to the normal expectations for women, instead she stands out and embraces her reputation. She is also not afraid of judgments. Olive is the only person with a reddish brunette hair  and the other female characters have blonde hair in this film. According to Monique Ramsey (2011), a research has shown that women with dark or brunette hair to be more intelligent at the first meeting.

Secondly, Rhiannon Abernathy is Olive Penderghast’s best friend. She is loud and always cursing by calling Olive “bitch”. She is also an attention seeker. I identify her as a bimbo in this film. Plus, she has blonde hair. According to Courtney Hardwick (2015), blondes are not as intelligent as brunettes. There is a stereotype called “dumb blonde stereotype”. The first popular dumb blonde icons in pop culture is probably Lorelei Lee in Gentleman Prefer Blonds (1953) played by Marilyn Monroe.

Thirdly, Marianne Bryant is a blondie typical student in school. The one who usually kisses the teacher’s butt. She joined several clubs and she is the president of the Student Council and Christian Society. She is a faithful Christian member as her father is a pastor in a church. She judges people. She is the one who spread rumours about Olive losing her virginity around the school. When Olive treats her good, she immediately changed her behaviour towards Olive and called each other “sisters”.

Lastly, Mrs Griffith is the school counsellor. She has prejudice and stereotypes on students. For example, she called Marianne a Jesus freak in front of his husband, Mr Griffith. She does not listen to her student’s problems. During her first consultation with Olive, she handed her a handful of condoms before listening to what Olive has to say about what she is going through. Mrs Griffith is a bad role model. She had sexual relationship with a student named Micah. Micah even contracted chlamydia from her. Micah blamed it on Olive when he was questioned by his mother. Olive took the blame to protect her reputation as a school counsellor when she heard that Mrs Griffith is having issues with her husband. When Olive approached her when she wants to clear her name, Mrs Griffith denies it and said that no one would believe what Olive says.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the most preferred female representation in this film is Olive Penderghast. Although she seemed “slutty” at the beginning, but she did it because someone spread the rumour and she wanted to proof to people that she can do whatever she wants without shame.

References

1)     Smelik, A. (n.d). Feminist Criticism of Film. Retrieved from http://www.feministezine.com/feminist/film/Feminist-Film-Theory.html

2)     Ramsey, M. (2011, June 18). Six Scientific Differences (And Facts) Between Blondes and Brunettes. Retrieved from https://www.cosmeticsocialmedia.com/2011/scientific-differences-facts-blondes-brunettes/

3)     Hardwick, C. (2015, July 29). Blondes vs Brunettes: 15 Things Your Hair Color Says About You. Retrieved from https://www.thetalko.com/blondes-vs-brunettes-15-things-your-hair-color-says-about-you/

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