Compare and contrast at least three female characters from the American films that we watched in the second part of the course, and analyze issues of femininity and Italian American ethnicity that emerge from the corresponding films. Review the article by Laura Mulvey and look for examples where the female characters are either granted or denied a narrative power through the usage of POV shots, camera looks, sound, or other storytelling techniques discussed throughout the course."
This paper will show how the ideas of femininity and ethnicity shaped the way in which women were expected to behave in Italian-American movies of the 1980’s. It will consider their relationship with the prominent men in these movies, and how different expectations
…show more content…
They are at the center of both movies passively, but their active roles as people and characters are limited. Annette perhaps exemplifies this lack of control and importance the most, her repeated pleas for attention are consistently rebuffed, she even sais “Why do you hate me so much, all I did was love you” and obtains no response. Instead her feelings are taken advantage of by Tony’s friends who proceed to rape her. Stephanie has more control but runs the risk of being considered a “cunt”, rather than a “nice girl”. In other words a woman who is disliked by men and consequently ostracized in society. The manager of Tony’s dance studio warns him to this effect. Even though Tony is infatuated with her, he cannot until the very end accept that she is not attracted to him romantically. Karen had power in the beginning, her defiance and calling out of Henry’s behavior, “who the hell do you think you are”, is what gives her space initially. By the end she ends up being ignored and cast aside, as Henry grows less and less interested. Women play important roles in Italian-American movies, they are the objects of male desire, and their actions can have important consequences, Karen’s mistreatment by Bruce generates an entire new scene. However they are never able to attain independent characterhood, and their importance is defined by the attention lavished onto them by