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Ditch the Tropes: These Holiday Movies Won’t Make You Roll Your Eyes | Ditch the Tropes: These Holiday Movies Won’t Make You Roll Your Eyes |
(about 3 hours later) | |
If you’re looking for me this month, chances are I’m parked under a cable-knit blanket happily consuming holiday movies at the same rate as gingerbread cookies and spiked punch from Trader Joe’s. | If you’re looking for me this month, chances are I’m parked under a cable-knit blanket happily consuming holiday movies at the same rate as gingerbread cookies and spiked punch from Trader Joe’s. |
I relish eye-rolling my way through saccharine plotlines that so often hinge on women who don’t even know what they’re missing: that is, a man (who’s also often, gasp, a prince). | I relish eye-rolling my way through saccharine plotlines that so often hinge on women who don’t even know what they’re missing: that is, a man (who’s also often, gasp, a prince). |
Even beyond Lifetime and Hallmark, the “good” Christmas movies — I’m looking at you, “Love Actually” — are often just as bad at representing self-reliant female characters with some semblance of agency. And in times like these, when pop culture and #MeToo are inextricable, holiday fare is also not free of scrutiny. (“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” was yanked from some radio stations this year for lyrics that to some “sound like a prelude to date rape,” my colleague recently wrote.) | Even beyond Lifetime and Hallmark, the “good” Christmas movies — I’m looking at you, “Love Actually” — are often just as bad at representing self-reliant female characters with some semblance of agency. And in times like these, when pop culture and #MeToo are inextricable, holiday fare is also not free of scrutiny. (“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” was yanked from some radio stations this year for lyrics that to some “sound like a prelude to date rape,” my colleague recently wrote.) |
[Sign up here to get future installments of the Gender Letter delivered to your inbox!] | [Sign up here to get future installments of the Gender Letter delivered to your inbox!] |
So I dared myself to find quality holiday movies that focus on fully realized women who serve a purpose beyond looking for love or being humble wives to eccentric husbands. Here are four. (Warning: spoilers ahead!) | So I dared myself to find quality holiday movies that focus on fully realized women who serve a purpose beyond looking for love or being humble wives to eccentric husbands. Here are four. (Warning: spoilers ahead!) |
“I think we should be truthful and realistic with our children.” | “I think we should be truthful and realistic with our children.” |
I didn’t grow up watching this movie, but I wish I had. (Like the girl in it, I also didn’t believe in Santa Claus as a child.) Watching as an adult, I was astonished to learn that the main character in this 70-year-old film was a young divorced single mother who had her life together. | I didn’t grow up watching this movie, but I wish I had. (Like the girl in it, I also didn’t believe in Santa Claus as a child.) Watching as an adult, I was astonished to learn that the main character in this 70-year-old film was a young divorced single mother who had her life together. |
Doris (Maureen O’Hara) works in a high-profile position at Macy’s in New York and is raising a sharp and sensible daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood). “She’s my responsibility and I must bring her up as I see fit,” Doris tells Fred Gailey (John Payne), when prodded as to why Susan doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or fairy tales. | Doris (Maureen O’Hara) works in a high-profile position at Macy’s in New York and is raising a sharp and sensible daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood). “She’s my responsibility and I must bring her up as I see fit,” Doris tells Fred Gailey (John Payne), when prodded as to why Susan doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or fairy tales. |
While the movie — which won three Academy Awards — does fold in a romantic plotline, it is secondary to the story of a woman and her daughter opening themselves up to the power of imagination. | While the movie — which won three Academy Awards — does fold in a romantic plotline, it is secondary to the story of a woman and her daughter opening themselves up to the power of imagination. |
“You see, I can’t have a baby because I have a 12 o’clock meeting.” | “You see, I can’t have a baby because I have a 12 o’clock meeting.” |
Diane Keaton in power suits? Where do I sign up? This has long been one of my favorite 1980s movies, and while it’s not explicitly Christmas-y, it has enough snowy Vermont scenes to qualify. | Diane Keaton in power suits? Where do I sign up? This has long been one of my favorite 1980s movies, and while it’s not explicitly Christmas-y, it has enough snowy Vermont scenes to qualify. |
Ms. Keaton plays J.C. Wiatt, a high-powered businesswoman nicknamed “the tiger lady” whose life is completely upended when she inherits a toddler from a deceased cousin. In classic ’80s form, high jinks ensue, but it’s so much more than that. | Ms. Keaton plays J.C. Wiatt, a high-powered businesswoman nicknamed “the tiger lady” whose life is completely upended when she inherits a toddler from a deceased cousin. In classic ’80s form, high jinks ensue, but it’s so much more than that. |
Her colleagues, who are all men, expect her to maintain her frenetic pace without a stumble. They snicker and scoff when she has the baby in the office. When she struggles to keep up, she is undermined by her boss and a subordinate, and she leaves her job completely. But don’t worry: She gets the last laugh. | Her colleagues, who are all men, expect her to maintain her frenetic pace without a stumble. They snicker and scoff when she has the baby in the office. When she struggles to keep up, she is undermined by her boss and a subordinate, and she leaves her job completely. But don’t worry: She gets the last laugh. |
“I am Catwoman, hear me roar.” | “I am Catwoman, hear me roar.” |
Who among us hasn’t been a Selina Kyle in some area of our life? Self-berating; insulted and underestimated at work; belittled by a judgmental parent. And who hasn’t daydreamed about proving everyone wrong? | Who among us hasn’t been a Selina Kyle in some area of our life? Self-berating; insulted and underestimated at work; belittled by a judgmental parent. And who hasn’t daydreamed about proving everyone wrong? |
When Selina (Michelle Pfeiffer), a secretary to the evil Max Schreck (Christopher Walken), tries to offer an idea during a business meeting, he tells the other men in the room, “I’m afraid we haven’t properly housebroken Ms. Kyle.” | When Selina (Michelle Pfeiffer), a secretary to the evil Max Schreck (Christopher Walken), tries to offer an idea during a business meeting, he tells the other men in the room, “I’m afraid we haven’t properly housebroken Ms. Kyle.” |
An earlier version of the script had him saying, “Do not fret, gentlemen, if our meeting goes well, I’ll let you watch me spank her.” | An earlier version of the script had him saying, “Do not fret, gentlemen, if our meeting goes well, I’ll let you watch me spank her.” |
Schreck later pushes her out a window, but she doesn’t die. Instead she becomes the black-rubber-clad, whip-wielding Catwoman. “Life’s a bitch, now so am I,” she says. | Schreck later pushes her out a window, but she doesn’t die. Instead she becomes the black-rubber-clad, whip-wielding Catwoman. “Life’s a bitch, now so am I,” she says. |
The final line of the film, spoken by Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton): “Merry Christmas. Good will toward men ... and women.” | The final line of the film, spoken by Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton): “Merry Christmas. Good will toward men ... and women.” |
“What happened with Therese — I wanted. And I will not deny it, or say that I do.” | “What happened with Therese — I wanted. And I will not deny it, or say that I do.” |
A cerebral story about two women falling in love at Christmastime in 1950s Manhattan is about as on brand for me as a movie gets. | A cerebral story about two women falling in love at Christmastime in 1950s Manhattan is about as on brand for me as a movie gets. |
After a chance encounter, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), an aspiring photographer, and Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), a glamorous suburban housewife, bond immediately and fall deeply in love despite myriad obstacles. | After a chance encounter, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), an aspiring photographer, and Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), a glamorous suburban housewife, bond immediately and fall deeply in love despite myriad obstacles. |
The fact that “Carol” — which is beautifully shot and acted — earned six Oscar nominations is proof that stories of complicated lesbian love are worthy of attention outside the indie film circuit. That it is based on a 1952 novel lends a special authenticity. | The fact that “Carol” — which is beautifully shot and acted — earned six Oscar nominations is proof that stories of complicated lesbian love are worthy of attention outside the indie film circuit. That it is based on a 1952 novel lends a special authenticity. |
Did I miss a film that should have made this list? Let me know at dearmaya@nytimes.com. | Did I miss a film that should have made this list? Let me know at dearmaya@nytimes.com. |
______ | ______ |
10 | 10 |
The number of times the woman in “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” says that she needs to leave. | The number of times the woman in “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” says that she needs to leave. |
______ | ______ |
“I have both power and voice, and I am only beginning to just use them.” It was a year of undeniable progress for women in sports, despite the revelations at the Larry Nassar trial. [The New York Times] | “I have both power and voice, and I am only beginning to just use them.” It was a year of undeniable progress for women in sports, despite the revelations at the Larry Nassar trial. [The New York Times] |
“I had to hold back tears.” Workplace pregnancy discrimination is so prevalent that even employers like Planned Parenthood are being accused. [The New York Times] | “I had to hold back tears.” Workplace pregnancy discrimination is so prevalent that even employers like Planned Parenthood are being accused. [The New York Times] |
“Children absorb stereotypes, including about gender roles, by age 3.” Here are 12 children’s books to help combat them. [The New York Times] | “Children absorb stereotypes, including about gender roles, by age 3.” Here are 12 children’s books to help combat them. [The New York Times] |
“Toxic place for women.” That’s how Amnesty International described Twitter, based on the number of problematic messages women in government and journalism, particularly black women, received. [Bloomberg] | |
“Take me back Cardi.” In the post-#MeToo era, tropes we found romantic before are starting to look icky. [The New York Times] | “Take me back Cardi.” In the post-#MeToo era, tropes we found romantic before are starting to look icky. [The New York Times] |
“I have my own way of functioning.” Remembering Penny Marshall, the first woman to direct a feature film that grossed more than $100 million. [The New York Times] | “I have my own way of functioning.” Remembering Penny Marshall, the first woman to direct a feature film that grossed more than $100 million. [The New York Times] |
______ | ______ |
At the end of “Miracle on 34th Street,” Kris Kringle is proved to be the real deal after a Post Office employee brings him all the mail addressed to Santa Claus. If you’re Santa to the U.S.P.S., you’re Santa, it seems. | At the end of “Miracle on 34th Street,” Kris Kringle is proved to be the real deal after a Post Office employee brings him all the mail addressed to Santa Claus. If you’re Santa to the U.S.P.S., you’re Santa, it seems. |
Unfortunately for kids around the world, the real Post Office was not in the mood for any of it, The New York Times pointed out in this 1906 article. | Unfortunately for kids around the world, the real Post Office was not in the mood for any of it, The New York Times pointed out in this 1906 article. |
“The Christmas season has no charm for the prosaic employees of the Dead Letter Office,” the article said. “It means only a lot of extra work and bother for them.” | “The Christmas season has no charm for the prosaic employees of the Dead Letter Office,” the article said. “It means only a lot of extra work and bother for them.” |
They did comb the letters for cash though. Those with money were returned to sender, and those without were “all destroyed.” Watch out, Grinch. They’re coming for you. | They did comb the letters for cash though. Those with money were returned to sender, and those without were “all destroyed.” Watch out, Grinch. They’re coming for you. |
Gender Letter helps you keep up with the world, and the women shaping it. Tell me what you think at dearmaya@nytimes.com. | Gender Letter helps you keep up with the world, and the women shaping it. Tell me what you think at dearmaya@nytimes.com. |
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