I digress. Tonight, scrolling through Netflix (admittedly looking for Topher Grace movies) I noticed Mona Lisa Smile (2003). I knew nothing of what the movie was about. I guess I had assumed it was a heartwarming Lifetime-type movie, which I don't typically enjoy. However, this is what Netflix gave as the summary: "In 1953, the women of Wellesley College are measured by how well they marry -- until the arrival of a professor who threatens to upend the status quo."
Jokes aside though, the first woman is literally weeping about burning dinner. But her husband, the real hero of the story, is there to tell her that he still loves her and that she shouldn't worry because the beer is safe (yay). Second picture. I'm sorry but, what the hell is happening here??!! I don't know that I've seen very many more demeaning pictures than this one. She's over his knee, he has raised his hand to her... because of coffee. You have go to be shitting me. How was this seen and not looked at with hostility? I think the part that bothers me the most about this ad, is the fact that it's actually geared towards women. The previous two pictures (one for ties and another for beer), could arguably have been made for men with a masculine audience in mind. However, the copy at the top of this ad directs the ad at women (assuming the gay community wasn't exactly prominent in the 50's). And if there's any question left, there's even a line in the ad to connect the words to the obvious inevitable consequence.
What a world we live in.
What a world.
Thank God.
Thanks for reading :)
Em.
Ps. I know this was a longer one, and I hope the pictures helped! The movie just got me so fired up! Who knows, if I watch it again, there may be a sequel to this...