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I'm not against Valentine's Day, but sometimes it communicates to people that they aren't complete if they aren't in a romantic relationship. This is, of course, a problem if you're single, like I am, because the day can leave you feeling lonely and inadequate. However, I also think it's a general cultural problem as well. Telling anyone (single or coupled) this, is to encourage them to seek/retain a romantic relationship to the destruction of other things, such as other types of relationships (familial relationships, friendships, etc) or their own abilities and dreams. It can tell people that it's better to take on traits to impress potential/current partners than it is to be your vivacious, intelligent, outspoken, etc. self and single. (I think of the intelligent woman who "plays dumb" to impress a man who likes feeling more intelligent than the person he dates.) I would imagine that men experience this pressure, but I know from experience that many women do. Many women see their worth as being wrapped up in their significant other or lack thereof, and I wish it weren't that way.
In light of my dream that women will not be valued based on their relationship status, I've rounded up a list of 10 movies that include romance, but also feature a female protagonists who can use their particular brands of strength to move mountains, destroy stereotypes, and change the world. I think they're perfect for both satisfying the "love" aspect of Valentine's Day and encouraging women to remember that they're capable and valuable regardless of whether or not they have a love interest. To help you quickly find what you want, I've divided them into the following three categories: Live-action, Animated, and Teen Movies. So please, grab a friend or a boyfriend/husband, or just a comfy blanket and watch one of these for Valentine's Day.
And guys, I'm sorry I'm leaving you out with this list. You deserve a list of films about men who don't need romantic relationships to be valuable, but I don't think I know enough about being male to put together anything meaningful. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them in the comments, though. If I get enough suggestions, maybe I'll compile them into a post, too.
LIVE-ACTION MOVIES
Legally Blonde (2001)
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When sorority president Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is dumped by her politician-in-training boyfriend, she enrolls in Harvard Law School to prove that she is exactly the kind of girl who will help his career succeed. She ends up proving that she is an intelligent, capable woman who needs neither a man nor her valley girl persona to help her take on the world. I love watching the main character ditch the sorority girl stereotype and become a Harvard Lawyer, which still managing to keep her flair for the feminine and flamboyant because it shows that women can be whatever they want to be without sacrificing their personalities. I also love this movie because the romance element, though present and very sweet, is played down; it seems that the creators are trying to prove that Elle, and by extension all of the female viewers, shouldn't define success by their relationship status because there are more important markers, including their careers and moral strength. Information from IMDB page, available HERE. |
“The Santa Clause" and this one, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas. There's no point in talking about “The Santa Clause' since stations play it on TV every year. However, since Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas is less common, even though its on Netflix, I thought it would be fun to talk about three reasons why I recommend this fun kids movie to kids and adults alike.
