MovieChat Forums > Career Girls (1997) Discussion > Reason for the hairy armpits?? (ICK)

Reason for the hairy armpits?? (ICK)

posted 16 years ago by dancinqueen47
12 replies | jump to latest

First, I thought this was a great, well acted movie, though the strong accents and pace of the dialogue made it difficult for me to understand, even though I backed up the DVD about 20 times during the course of the movie in an effort to "catch" a line. I generally love British accents & rarely have problems understanding them, but I completely missed several lines of dialogue, due to not being able to understand even after trying, several times.

Now, the hairy armpits on Hannah - what do all of you think?

I always think hairy armpits on a woman denote a rabid feminist, who takes the attitude "If men don't like it, *beep* 'em, cause they don't shave their armpits for me, I'm not shaving mine for them" (or something like that, you get the point).

How do you feel about this & what do you think about it?

Do you think this was done to make a point about Hannah & her attitudes about men, feminism, etc.?

[–] perorewen 16 years ago

I never saw the problem in this. I mean really really!! I don't understand where the problem is at all. If she decides to shave her armpits, ok, if not, ok too. It's her hair, ain't it?

And my question has always been: Why is it discusting that women don't shave their armpits, if it's ok that men don't?? I mean, I don't understand.

And to answer what you're prolly thinking: yes, I'm a feminist, I'm not afraid to admit it, but not the kind you consider rapid.

**********
They blew up Congress!!! HAHAHA!

[–] dancinqueen47 16 years ago

In the whole scheme of things, shaving or not shaving armpits doesn't rank as a serious world issue. And you're right, it's a personal choice and a decision each woman can make for herself. I was just surprised to see it in this movie and wondered if anyone believed this was deliberate, in order to make a statement about the character.

Personally, I don't find hairy armpits attractive on a woman, but I defend anyone's right to have them if they do find it attractive. :-)

[–] pleistocene 15 years ago

I never even noticed....

"People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul" - C.G.Jung

[–] Thomas_S 15 years ago

I didn't notice it. Should I? I've never understood why people talk about women's armpits if they are not shaved. No, I'm not a feminist; I'm a man. Do men shave their armpits? If not, why should women do it? Ok, I can see one reason and that is if the woman in question is wearing a sleaveless dress in public; something that men don't really do (I'm not talking about the beach or sport but more of an office environment, restaurant, party etc.). Hair in the armpit may not be particularly pretty in that situation. But the difference only arises because it is socially acceptable for women to wear a sleaveless dress whereas it isn't acceptable for men to be sleaveless in such situations. Men are confined to airtight suits and ties whereas women have much more freedom to choose clothes that don't restrict body ventilation. Discrimination really. I'd rather have to shave my armpits than being forced into uncomfortable clothing.

[–] jessonderskov 15 years ago

I think that there should be no political or sexual statement in shaving or not shaving... Personally, I think, everybody should just think about themselves in the 1st place. Whatever makes you feel comfortable must be ok.

I´m a man and I like to keep my armpits shaved. It´s like with my fingernails - rather short than long!!! Due to my opinion, everybody should do what makes them feel good. That´s what life(identity) is about.

ohyeswecan

[–] batleyed 15 years ago

people have hairy armpits....including my girfreind.....whats your problem here?

[–] dancinqueen47 15 years ago

Hey....to each his own. I've just never known a man who wasn't completely turned off by women who don't shave their legs & pits. It's a matter of personal preference. I guess I'm just a "girly girl" who prefers to keep my pits and legs smooth & hair free - lucky I do, because I'm attracted to the kind of men who very much appreciate this kind of fastidious grooming.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 12 years ago

Well, let me introduce myself: my wife has hairy armpits and I prefer them that way. And I do, at the same time, appreciate cleanliness and good grooming, by the way.

[–] davidgoesboating 14 years ago

I would say it was done because that was the way Cartlidge kept them.

I noticed too, and I thought it was kind of sexy. I like women who don't bow to ridiculous social pressures, especially in regards to body hair - and I kind of hate people who get so disgusted by it. Female body hair is natural and feminine... but if that offends you, there are plenty of plastic women you can look at on the internet. Get over it.

[–] dancetildawn 14 years ago

Yeah, I don't think it was any statement of the character's although you could choose to see it as that. It would work in that regard. But yeah, I'm pretty sure that's the way Katrin kept them. I think in the documentary "Searching for Debra Winger" she is seen with unshaved armpits.

[–] ej_edwards 14 years ago

Mike Leigh's renowned for his realism, and as a student in the 80s, Hannah probably just couldn't be arsed shaving her armpits. Don't think it has any relevance to her attitude about men or feminism.

"Of some delights, I believe a little goes a long way"