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It occurred to me recently while watching the movie 50/50 that there is a disturbing (in my opinion) trend in the way friendships are portrayed in the media. Specifically, the difference between friendships between men vs. friendships between women and not in the way you would assume.
Despite the fact that women are cited as being "emotional" and sensitive - it is male friendships which are portrayed with depth and intrigue in movies. The relationships between women are portrayed as shallow and/or deceptive.
Can you think of a female equivalent for movies like The Shawshank Redemption? Is there any example of a female friendship that doesn't use being scorned by a lover as an emotional crutch?
This is particularly upsetting in an age when we have yet to succeed in having a say in our reproductive health (all-male panel speaking before Congress about birth control, anyone?). Friendships are crucial for emotional support and richness in life. Sincere friendships give a kind of freedom to the one in the relationship and the fact that women have so few examples or role models of this very important relationship is disturbing.
There are movies that boast a female-female lead. But the connection is often shallow and almost exclusively relies on the betrayl of a lover or romantic heartbreak to set the stage. The few examples of female-female led movies that were more substantial than the aforementioned theme were mostly flops at the box office.
Of course, I may be looking at this entire situation through gray-colored glasses as a bitter, female-friendless dame myself. What do you think?
