reviewed by Angeline Chew

A look at four movies that show the plights and triumphs of female leads.

Calendar Girls

Based on a true story, this 2003 film starring Helen Mirren is about a group of middle aged Yorkshire women who decide to raise funds to buy a sofa for the local hospital by posing nude for a calendar. Despite initial opposition from others, the calendar turns out to be a huge success, even receiving attention from Hollywood.

On one level, this movie addresses the social stereotype of what is commonly perceived to be acceptable. While many people expressed admiration for these women’s daring actions, it is telling how the movie portrays the way Hollywood reacts to them. Instead of lauding the women’s motives, Hollywood chooses to focus on the fact that they are willing to shed their clothes, thus debasing them. On another level, this motion picture tries to explore how such a venture brings out the tensions in their families. Unfortunately, not much time is devoted to this aspect. In my opinion, it would have been more satisfying if the movie had chosen to focus on the latter rather than the former.

The Blind Side

The Blind Side tells the real life story of how neglected teen Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) finds the ability to fulfill his potential after being given a helping hand by a kind family. Michael is befriended by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), who takes him under her wing and eventually adopts him. She encourages him to hone his talent in American football, spurring him on to receive a football scholarship from the University of Mississippi.

Bullock’s character is a strong, vocal woman unafraid of doing what is right. No doubt there is something from her that the movie wants us to learn. However, what really struck me about this movie is something my husband pointed out: the parallel between what the Tuohys do for Michael and what God does for us. Like Michael, there is nothing intrinsically deserving in us, but God takes us in, provides unconditional love, adopts us, and asks nothing in return. Somehow, when seen in this perspective, every other theme in the movie is dwarfed.

Julie and Julia

Based on two memoirs, this movie is about two women – chef Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and blogger Julie Powell (Amy Adams) – from two different generations bound by the same love for cooking. Julie is a young office worker unhappy with her job. She sets herself the task of cooking through <em>Mastering the Art of French Cooking</em>, written by Julia Child, and blogging about her culinary attempts. Meanwhile, the movie shows glimpses of Julia Child’s life between the late 1940s and 1950s: her journey in learning French cooking and finally publishing her cookbook.

Streep’s Julia Child is full of grit and a cheerful can do spirit. She wins approval from her male course mates in a culinary class for professional chefs and eventually becomes a “celebrity chef” in her own right (and generation). Adam’s Julie, however, is all saccharine cuteness. She tries her best but gives in to teary “meltdowns” when things get rough. I think the real Julie Powell is actually less sweet and a little rough around the edges, but that is beside the point. Perhaps what the movie tries to draw our attention to is how ultimately, both Julia and Julie are able to find themselves, one as a cook and the other as a writer, rewards for taking on the seemingly impossible.

200 Pounds Beauty

This is a Korean comedy about an overweight vocalist (Hanna, starring Kim Ah-jung) who undergoes full body plastic surgery in the pursuit of love and self confidence. Her life changes dramatically after her surgery but she ultimately realizes that beauty alone cannot bring fulfillment.

The premise of this movie is what makes it predictable, for from the moment Hanna seeks to change her looks, we can already guess at the moral the movie tries to impart and thus know how the story will turn out. An entertaining watch, as long as you do not expect any epiphanies.

Angeline Chew is formerly a civil servant and volunteer coordinator in a local hospice. She worships at Covenant Evangelical Free Church with her husband, Eric.