Gender In Films Movie Review Sample

Women and Gender Studies

1. The central theme of the film “Mulan” is about a daughter’s love for his father and how she wanted to give honor to the family. Mulan’s family expected her to follow the rules of society as young women her age were being trained to look for a suitable husband who will support the financial needs of the family. She was being forced to accept the gender role of a homemaker and a good wife. In the end, Mulan gave her family pride and honor when she joined the army in place of her father. The film is about women empowerment and equal opportunities for women.
2. The matchmaker describes a “perfect bride” as one who cooks in the house and cares for the children while the husband is away to work and earn a living for the family.
3. A woman develops her nurturing quality as time passes by. In the scene in the movie Mulan, the matchmaker expected Mulan to learn her wifely duties by heart. Mulan cheats the matchmaker by making cheat notes before she arrives. As a woman matures, she learns the role as to serve her husband and children. Mulan on the other hand, was not yet prepared to learn the duties of a good wife and mother.
4. In the movie, Mulan’s father explains that she is the only hope of the family to find a good husband who will be able to financially support the family. Mulan has to no other choice but to obey her father. The stereotype of women is the films is that they are women are being paired to a suitable husband who will provide her needs. And in return, the wife has to stay at home, care for the children and do household work. The women are not allowed to work and practice a profession but assume the role of a homemaker.
5. Mulan left her home when the matchmaker told her that she is a disgrace to her family and will not give honor to her parents because of her indiscretions. Mulan rebelled against her father when she cut her hair and joined the army in his place. Society looked down on Mulan when she did not obey her father’s wishes.
6. The song “Reflection” reinforces gender stereotypes because women are being taken for granted by society because of their seemingly fragile appearance. Women should not be judged by the way they look but by the strength of their character.
7. In the film, the social ideology of masculinity was portrayed when the army only allow the men to join the army, while the women are prohibited to enter the army. The women are also being groomed to find good husbands as shown by the training given to the women by the matchmaker in the film.
8. Mulan tried to disguise as a man by cutting her hair and excelled while she was training in the army. She tried her best to surpass all of the other trainees.
9. The film’s message is about women empowerment. They should not be underestimated because of their looks and vulnerability. Instead, they deserve respect for their capabilities and not to be stereotyped to do household work and care for the children. Women should be given equal opportunities to improve themselves since they can also do what men can do.