MovieChat Forums > Knight and Day (2010) Discussion > Undercurrent of misogyny

Undercurrent of misogyny


I agree with the one female critic who slammed this film as misogynistic. After watching it, I agree. I see it. Just look at Cameron Diaz's character, June Haven. It makes me wonder why Diaz signed on do this dumbed-down role? This film treats women like naive, docile, powerless creatures. Maybe she wanted to work with Tom Cruise again? I found it interesting when Roy says to another woman that June is a "nobody, just somebody I picked up along the way". Its so true I doubt Angelina Jolie would touch this role. It would've made sense if it were a tongue-in-cheek character, but its not.

There's nothing wrong with damsel-in-distress sort of characters, but if they lack intelligence and substance, they become irritating. The June character never uses her head. She's always clueless about everything. She doesn't know when she's being tricked, when danger is imminent(the scene before the shootout where she jumps the gun---no pun intended---before Roy counts the three) or what's happening around her(the airplane scene). Her character's head is perpetually in the clouds..."Where am I?"..."Who are you?"..."I don't know what is going on". She's always getting drugged, bound, controlled, etc. She relies too much on Roy to save her. She hardly does anything--except fire off a few rounds here and there--empowering.

I think part of the reason this film didn't work is because it takes itself very seriously. I could've worked as a spoof.

What's beef? Beef is when I see you, guaranteed to be in ICU --The Notorious B.I.G.

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What is wrong with showing women as helpless and dumb? That is exactly what many of them are (just as many men are so).

It is an accurate and truthful portrayal of reality. And it fits in well with their commercial needs for how the movie plot flows. So, what is the issue? The directors shouldn't be obliged to portray women as strong characters. This isn't a government film. They are profits seeking.

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What's wrong with showing men as their heroes? This world is so gynocentric as it is. Women need reasons to find men attractive after 40 years of trying to prop women up as the end all, be all of everything good and holy (which is total horsesh!t in and of itself).

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Undercurrent of misogyny

Typical "fire and forget" troll post. Put out a controversial post and then disappear. One more for the ignore list.

Dean: I am wearing sunglasses at night. You know who does that? No-talent douche bags!

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