MovieChat Forums > Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman Discussion > Demeaning to Women?

Demeaning to Women?

posted 15 years ago by R_Meyer
5 replies | jump to latest

I saw this film for the first time on PBS Saturday night. The film seemed a bit soap opera by today's standards, but I did enjoy it.

I always find fascinating -- from films of this era -- the genteel style of people back then, the 1940s. The way adults seemed to adapt a mature grownup lifestyle, sophisticated and nuanced. Unlike today when everyone seems to want to be 16-years-old 4ever.

The commentator on WNET-13 in New York, speculated that some people might find Ms. Hayward's role as Angie Evans Conway somewhat demeaning to women. The way her life was defined by her relationships with men.

That's a tough one, but partially valid I think. Her character seemed a pretty strong person, actually, but definitely trapped in a male-dominated society.

[–] Devans00 15 years ago

I think Angie's alcoholism was a direct result of suppressing herself so much. She was a smart woman with a challenging career, on the verge of going to the next level. All that went out the window the moment she latched on to her husband. Kind of like taking a car going 60 MPH, slamming it down to 15 MPH then wondering why it doesn't work as well anymore.

No two persons ever watch the same movie.

[–] morganscorpion-1 13 years ago

Sadly, there are some women who do define themselves solely in relationship to men.

Acknowledging that some women do this is not demeaning to Women as a whole.

Shame Angie couldn't restart her career, shame also that she couldn't go to AA and get her *beep* together; but then, who knows what she does with her life once the cameras stop rolling.

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!

[–] R_Meyer 13 years ago

who knows what she does with her life once the cameras stop rolling

The character ceases to exist once the cameras stop rolling. It was a movie, wasn't it, not a documentary?

[–] fiveforme 13 years ago

I didn't find the movie (not a documentary) demeaning, but Steve's line "Ah, I never hit my mother ... not where it showed, anyway" was a bit of a shock. There's a husband and wife who sleep in separate beds because God forbid there is a movie portraying a couple sleeping together, but it's ok to hit your mom.

[–] MorgieSteph 11 years ago

Lighten up - that was just a joke.

Bathia Mapes: "Go to the house of the curse".