Comments on: “Salt” and the F-word: Femininity

By: Zagorath

Zagorath — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:50:02 +0000

I saw Salt today, and the opening scene, where she is in North Korea, was censored. I live in Vietnam, but I am told that it was blocked in many other countries as well. Can anyone confirm this, or explain why it would be?
It just cuts straight to the exchange.

By: Malinda Lo

Malinda Lo — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:07:05 +0000

I heard about the avoidance-of-emasculation thingie too a while ago, and I went into the movie a little concerned about that. However, after seeing the movie, I think that was blown out of proportion. Her husband is never depicted as a manly man who is way manlier than Salt. He actually was kind of a sensitive, nerdy guy. In retrospect, their interactions were some of my favorites in the movie. They gave Salt more of a human, quirky side.

By: Neon Blue

Neon Blue — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:12:46 +0000

I’m torn about seeing this film, because I love action movies, but there’s something about Angelina Jolie that I just cannot be down with anymore. I was excited to read that the part was originally male and they didn’t have a problem with casting Jolie, but then I read that they decided to remove certain scenes (like Salt rescuing her husband) so that it wouldn’t look emasculating and my interest dipped again.

I’d probably be far more excited if it wasn’t Jolie. Not just because she irritates me, but because she’s one of the women who’s ‘allowed’ to be tough/bad ass, which doesn’t really change the general presence/opinion of women in action movies.

By: Jon Skovron

Jon Skovron — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:26:43 +0000

I think it’s interesting that the screenplay was originally written with a man in mind and it was Jolie’s clout and unrelenting commitment that kept them from altering much from it’s original form just because she was a woman.

By: Fourth Breakfast

Fourth Breakfast — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:52:33 +0000

I also loved how her first priority was grabbing a coat and boots as she walked into her apartment. Also, that she made sure to rescue her dog. I really enjoyed this film too. I was a little startled by how thin her arms were, but Angelina is a very convincing action hero.

The geeky husband was a nice touch. I love a little quirk

By: Malinda Lo

Malinda Lo — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:26:23 +0000

I think that heels and lipstick have long been markers of femininity. I mean, it’s hard to discuss what’s feminine without taking into consideration its opposite, masculine. I totally agree that we should be reclaiming femininity and imbuing it with new meanings more relevant to our lives in 2011, though (*shakes fist at Hollywood*)!

By: Malinda Lo

Malinda Lo — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:23:48 +0000

Thanks!

By: Jenn Hubbard

Jenn Hubbard — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:25:14 +0000

“It’s clear that a woman can’t just be a woman in this kind of movie, yet; she has to be more manly than the men.”

This point was occurring to me as I read along, and I’m glad you brought it up. Not that I’m a big fan of heels and lipstick, but it’s so interesting to me that they have become tokens of femininity.
Why couldn’t running fast or outwitting a spy be feminine? Since I’m a woman, why can’t anything that I do well (like solving algebra problems) be considered feminine? (I”m addressing Hollywood and Society with these questions,)

That said, it’s a relief to hear about a movie where the woman doesn’t have to show some leg and redden her lips in order to succeed.

By: Tori C.

Tori C. — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:44:21 +0000

This is a really compelling review. I have to admit I kept reading despite not yet seeing the movie.

I remember being PEED off when Gwyneth Paltrow ran in her heels in Iron Man, among many, many other such instances. It reminds me of a conversation I had with my anthro of gender prof last year, where she was asking if things like heels, foot-binding, and neck rings were signs of beauty or instruments of control. How do people not think of removing the shoes when necessary?!?! That’s what I would do if I seriously valued my life and/or were being chased by a violent man in an iron suit. But maybe that’s just me.

But I digress… A great and concise analysis!