The much-anticipated DC Comics superhero film Wonder Woman is finally in theatres, and the subsequent reactions seem to have the Internet divided. Is Wonder Woman the feminist hero we’ve been waiting for? Or, does she not quite live up to the hype?
Daily Show contributor Michelle Wolf made a fair point: why has so much pressure been put on Wonder Woman? As a female led and directed film, many have acted as though the future of women entirely lies in the success of this film. She went on to say:
“You know when we’ll feel equal at the box office? When we get to make a bad superhero movie, and then immediately make another bad one. Men get chance after chance to make superhero movies – no one left crappy Batman V. Superman saying, ‘Well, I guess we’re done making “man” movies!’”
It seems as though any film with a female lead immediately receives an inordinate amount of pressure to perform. Not only does this perpetuate the belief women’s stories are not of importance, but holds the stars of such films to impossible standards.
The release of live action Beauty and the Beast, starring renowned feminist Emma Watson, is another example of such press and pressure. Some have claimed Belle was the strong, feminist character we all needed.
I have to disagree. Yet again, Hollywood and the subsequent media buzz have misused the words “strong” and “feminist”.
Belle’s story revolves around the men in her life and the love that results. But, she reads books and she has the gall to disagree with the Beast! Do these characteristics really make her strong? Or is it, we are so used to seeing one-dimensional women on screen, we overcompensate when evaluating stories revolving around women?
I believe the same can be said for Wonder Woman. The film made strides in representation: featuring a Blood Tribe actor from Alberta, speaking his native Blackfoot language. The film has been a box office success, and has empowered women across the globe. But, is Wonder Woman a perfect feminist hero? No.
But, that’s okay.
Hollywood, and the film industry at large, has major issues of representation. The stories of women, people of colour, and other communities are not seen. In the rare occurrence they are – most commonly in the form of white, straight, able-bodied and otherwise “relatable” female characters – they are immediately praised as being strong and feminist.
While these films are important, the pressure on the leading ladies to be “strong” is absurd. Not every story is one of a “strong” individual. Not every woman is a perfect feminist – I would argue no one can be perfect.
Critiquing films is important in ensuring stories are told accurately, and diversely. I believe you can support women in film, while simultaneously asking more in the way of representation. That being said, the pressure on female-led or directed films is absurd. We must take them for what they are. In this case: a Disney classic and a superhero film.
Jennifer Hamilton is a local student and writer.
