MovieChat Forums > Vinyl (2016) Discussion > Women's depiction

Women's depiction

posted 9 years ago by rubirub
15 replies | jump to latest

I like this show. I think it's great, although I kind of enjoyed "Boardwalk Empire" more (just mentioning it because it has the same team, more or less). But my problem is that it's a sexist show like everything Scorsese does.

The depiction of women in each Martin Scorsese movie or TV show is lame. They are all at the service of the men: to have sex with them, to be the wife that takes care of the children, to be the secretary who is easy to take to bed, etc.

I don't think this show has strong and deep female characters and it's a great weakness in my opinion. The only female character that stands out from the rest is Andrea Zito (played by Annie Parisse), she is the only one whose career doesn't seem to be in the hands of the men who run the music business.

[–] death-to-neds 9 years ago

Dunno about that. I think It's reflective of the time period.

[–] Snarkier 9 years ago

Indeed. Celebrate it as a sign of how far women have come! Seriously.

Denying it would be way less reasonable, and (I imagine) would generate a ton of complaints. Would you have WWII stories depict pleasant "work camps" run by smiling Nazis?

[–] rubirub 9 years ago

I kind of agree, but look at "Halt and catch fire". It's a show about the personal computer revolution in the 80s with two strong female characters who are in charge of their own life and job, who don't use sex as a power tool, and who are amazingly portrayed and developed in the show.

Maybe Scorsese's movies about mafia are all about men, but the music business in the 70s? I'm not so sure about it. Even in "Mad Men" women were stronger and more developed, even a housewife had strong opinions and was a depth character in the show.

"Vinyl" is one of my favourite shows of the year, but I can't help but notice the low women's depiction.

[–] Kompressor_Fan 9 years ago

I'm old enough that I remember those times. It is an accurate depiction of the dynamics of the time that it is based upon. Nothing to get angry about here.

[–] lynnlady 8 years ago

You're right Kompressor. Towards the end of the series they're showing the beginning of women's dissatisfaction with their situation by showing Richie's wife walking out and choosing poverty over her suburban prison. We see her as she begins to find herself when she makes the move to photograph John Lennon. I was looking forward to next season. I'd hoped they would have her start a career and stay in the city.

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[–] jeaton-01751 9 years ago

Your comparison of Halt and catch and vinyl don't really match up. The home computer business of the 80's was a new industry created by young generation. While the music industry of the early 70's was a male dominated profession. There is 1 strong independent female charecter and about a dozen male charecters in this. That ratio is pretty accurate for the time. Strong females existed but were few and far between at this point in time in the industry.

[–] MrAlxT 9 years ago

Devon has strong influence over Ritchie. And probably the most important character Ritchie met after deciding not to sell the company was woman.
Men are also used for sex. Sex is equally awesome and necessary for both genders.

If you find solecism, typo or some error associated with spelling, please correct me. Contact me :)

[–] darknsouless 9 years ago

This show is kinda lame. And yeah, scorsese don't know *beep* about women characters.

[–] Spellbinder888 9 years ago

YEP this show is atrocious in its handling of women.

The women have all the depth of the old 70s flares and record players they wheel out from the prop department.

Scorsese is awful.

[–] rubirub 9 years ago

I started this topic and I have to say the show is great, but it doesn't do justice to women's depiction (like every Scorsese project).

There's a lot to improve in that area, but it's a good show. I hope they can develope a little more the female characters in season 2.

[–] docmananoff-885-218028 9 years ago

The depiction of women in each Martin Scorsese movie or TV show is lame. They are all at the service of the men: to have sex with them, to be the wife that takes care of the children, to be the secretary who is easy to take to bed, etc.

You must have been born in the 90s....

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] dl4060 9 years ago

I,like other posters, think it is a reflection of the time. I also don't believe in forcing strong female characters into a show or movie just so that people won't feel it is sexist. If there is a place for a female executive, great. If not don't write one in.

I read the same stuff about the big short, that there needed to be more development of the female characters. For the record I have not seen it, but I read the book. The book did not focus seriously on any women. Why should Michael Lewis have focused on women just so there were women in the book? That would have been absurd. They mention one of the women who predicted the housing crash, can't remember her name, but she is not a major character in the book so it would have been stupid just to put her in the movie to have a woman in it. If someone wants to write a book about her that is their business, but that is not what is happening here. Lewis was trying to write the best book he could and he did that. Writing about women just to have them in the book makes no sense. The important characters in the story should be examined whether or not they are men or women.

I will add that Olivia Wilde's character in Vinyl is certainly strong and certainly deep. Her development over the years is certainly examined. How could the OP miss this? Which is more likely for the time, a strong housewife or a strong female executive? If they had forced in a female executive it would have felt forced and weakened the show. Realism is more important than making sure both sexes are equally represented.

[–] sethman-50117 8 years ago

As much as the libertarians would like to, you can't rewrite history.

I don't think most people would have a problem with the show actually showing a how it was back then.

Says more about you than the Scorsese i reckon