Connecting with Confused Women
Written by Chantel Kienitz
Graphics by Sofia Moncayo
Powerful characters throughout cinema are often regarded as the superheroes who save the day in one fell swoop or commanding businessmen who take over the attention of the scene when they walk in. In elementary school, kids would have comic book heroes on their lunch boxes and even as they grew up, those characters remained their symbols of strength. While there is no harm in looking up to characters with superhuman powers or fantastical prowess, it may be harder to find any semblance of an emotional connection when the role is only surface level. 2022 has provided audiences with various movies that exhibit one of the most relatable yet unexpected types of character: the confused, young girl.
Turning Red is a Pixar movie that shows Mei, a successful young student, dealing with the trials of growing up and discovering herself under the close watch of a parent. Her struggles are complex and nuanced for what the average viewer might consider to be a “children’s movie”. The genre of “children’s movie” insinuates that an adult could not connect with the message at its core (something that the Oscars presenters heavily implied regarding all animated movies this year). This is proven wrong as the arc of the movie shows Mei coming to understand her inner dialogue, something that can be foreign, as it is a narrative that is rarely provided to young people as well as adults. An aspect that makes the character so relevant to most individuals is the uncertainty that is so prevalent in her narrative. Her arc defends the conclusion that discovering oneself is an endless journey and not a measurable entity that comes easily.
Rather than suppress her emotions, Mei finds that the best way to deal with hard situations is to be confident and openly emotional, which is a skill that can be a difficult feat for most adults. The character of the mother, Ming Lee, shows the counterpart to Mei’s growth; Ming Lee is an adult, but she still struggles to understand how to control her emotions, especially when it comes to parenting. She and her daughter unexpectedly secure their bond once they can both understand that they are trying their best, even if their methods are different.
Mei’s friend group exudes comfort and warmth for her and provides the support she needs through the obstacles in her life. This is a common theme in the 2022 movie, The Fallout, where the confused heroine motif is exemplified further as Vada navigates the trauma of her circumstances through her connections to her peers. The Fallout displays the waxing and waning of friendship in such a real way. People always change, not often by choice, but instead, by force. Monumental moments can inspire one person and discourage another until they are two opposite sides of an ever-changing spectrum. Vada finds herself drifting away from people she was once close with when she realizes they cannot identify with her in the same way anymore, as she has changed considerably.
The Fallout shows an open look into the world of a teenage girl dealing with the trauma associated with experiencing a school shooting. While the character is not physically harmed directly by it, she continues to deal with its implications for the rest of the movie. Earlier, she was so sure of herself; she thought she knew who she was. Things change when she goes through complications that she was not prepared to deal with. Her manner shifts, she befriends new people and loses connections with others, and she struggles to work up the courage to return to school. Vada goes between desiring romantic relationships or platonic relationships with the people in her life, which can be an authentic experience for young people. Relationships can be complicated, and feelings can often alternate between an amiable connection with a friend and a more passionate love. It can be a terrifying thing to decipher early feelings, and even more so when there is a rush of stress jumbled in with affections of the heart. Vada walks the line between romance and friendship with two of her new connections in the movie, and the ultimate decision is not choosing between one friend or the other. She makes the choice to ensure that she is valuing her mental stability before developing a romantic relationship. It is an informed judgment that allows her to reflect before she is stuck in a bad situation. This character development exhibits more tremendous power than the average action movie star.
It can be difficult for the average viewer to identify with someone with no flaws or insecurities, which is what the narrative of “strong female characters” in film seems to be pushing. Films can give us these Wonder Woman-esque characters who have super strength and perfect hair, as a replacement for the damsels in distress, when the goal should not be perfection. The goal of making a character that young women can see themselves in is to give them depth, allowing them a sense of uncertainty about their own goals or sentiments. This is the reality for most people, young and old, and any desire for one-dimensional characters that are completely devoid of human experience has already been fulfilled. Movies are a form of escape, but escape cannot conventionally be found in the impending expectation of perfection. The affirmation that being unsure in relationships and emotions is not something to be ashamed of, but instead, something that can be embraced as a step to self-discovery is what makes these stories so reassuring. Viewers are looking for vulnerability and indecision because it reminds them of themselves, which is what Vada and Mei have done for me.
