|
|
Imp (![[info]](http://www.journalfen.net/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} imp) wrote in ![[info]](http://www.journalfen.net/img/community.gif){kind=small} fandom_wank, |
Goddamn I am conflicted on this movie.
On one hand, I liked how the overarching message was that you could control your own destiny, and the theme of women working together and helping eachother be strong and realize their potential and how they deserved freedom. I thought it was interesting how there was a contrast between the worlds where they were forced to fight as victims and use their attackers' expecations against them and the ones where they were completely powerful and in charge, and didn't have to fear being treated any differently. Even the skimpy costumes were worn confidently, instead of self-consciously like the lingerie in the burlesque world, and they were treated as entirely gender neutral in fights. The cutesy nicknames, which were condescending and icky coming from the people who worked in the burlesque world, sounded affectionate and sisterly when the girls talked to eachother, and (ignoring the fact that they all were probably supposed to be symbolic constructs in Baby's mind) though they weren't all really fleshed out much as characters, I would've liked to know more about them.
But on the other... SO MUCH attempted rape scenes, to the point where it seemed gratuitous. Christ, you could've done it once or twice and we would've got the message, which I don't even think was a necessary message in the FIRST place. I get that things like that happen, and that it's not like we should pretend it never ever does (especially in a corrupt 1950s mental institute), but it was kind of skeevy and left a bad taste in my mouth.
So... I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. I guess I liked it (particularly the imaginary fight sequences), and I have a genuine interest in the characterswhich I guess is my code for "please let there be Sweet Pea/Babydoll femmeslash out there", but it was definitely flawed, and there are DEFINITELY trigger warnings. It's not a happy movie.
On one hand, I liked how the overarching message was that you could control your own destiny, and the theme of women working together and helping eachother be strong and realize their potential and how they deserved freedom. I thought it was interesting how there was a contrast between the worlds where they were forced to fight as victims and use their attackers' expecations against them and the ones where they were completely powerful and in charge, and didn't have to fear being treated any differently. Even the skimpy costumes were worn confidently, instead of self-consciously like the lingerie in the burlesque world, and they were treated as entirely gender neutral in fights. The cutesy nicknames, which were condescending and icky coming from the people who worked in the burlesque world, sounded affectionate and sisterly when the girls talked to eachother, and (ignoring the fact that they all were probably supposed to be symbolic constructs in Baby's mind) though they weren't all really fleshed out much as characters, I would've liked to know more about them.
But on the other... SO MUCH attempted rape scenes, to the point where it seemed gratuitous. Christ, you could've done it once or twice and we would've got the message, which I don't even think was a necessary message in the FIRST place. I get that things like that happen, and that it's not like we should pretend it never ever does (especially in a corrupt 1950s mental institute), but it was kind of skeevy and left a bad taste in my mouth.
So... I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. I guess I liked it (particularly the imaginary fight sequences), and I have a genuine interest in the characters
Post a comment in response:
