I'd love to say there are countless strong female roles in Hollywood movies and television, but that's like saying there are enough Cinnabon locations in the tri-county area - point is, there can never be enough.
But, just like with cinnamon buns, we should rejoice when we have access to them, all the while hoping and working towards more.
Here are 10 strong-willed, powerful, take-no-shit kick ass women from the big screen - and that's worth celebrating.
Harry Potter
Anyone with a heartbeat and a DVD player knows Hermoine Granger would make such a list. With brains enough for several A students, Hermoine takes no shit from no one, and knows that although books trump weapons, sometimes a little muscle is called for to win a battle. And besides, that jerkface Malfoy had it coming.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Exam Time / Job Interview Prep
Image Source: Flickr
The Lord of the Rings
Arwen is ethereal and delicate, but don't be fooled by her Elven demeanour. This woman knows her place and that place is at head of the pack. Sure, she's soft-spoken, but she can ride a horse better and faster than any man (or witch king) and when she takes Frodo to saftey, telling Aragorn in Lord of the Rings "I'm the faster rider - I'll take him." she's right, and she does.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Running late for a City & Colour concert and you've got a flat? Keep Arwen on speed-dial
Image Source: New Line Cinema
Jackie Brown
Woman working as a flight attendant just wants to get her paycheque and maybe not lose her shit on a plane full of crying babies. It's be a similar story told a hundred times except Jackie Brown somehow ends up making the most of several crappy situations, all while dodging a few bullets. She doesn't need a man - or woman - to help her, thankyouverymuch, and by movie's end she emerges (mostly) unscathed and doing quite well for herself after ousmarting just about everyone in her path.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Tax time help/Dodging dude-bros at the club
Image Source: A Band Apart
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The newest in the Star Wars franchise opens with a scavenger, gathering pieces of scrap to eek out a meager existence. We don't know it's a woman until she removes her helmet and we see her feminine features and build, but more importantly, we don't care because she owns this role. I didn't hear a peep from any of the boys (or men) who sat in our row; they simply didn't care that the primary protagonist and one of the toughest, most able female characters we've seen in years was now in the spotlight in a movie historically considered "male domain." Sure, some men online threw a fit, but whatever. Let's handle that the way Rey herself would: walk away- you don't need that shit in your life.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Moving a couch (or body)
Image Source: Lucasfilm/Bad Robot Productions
The Heat
Shannon Mullins is a loud, angry, crass, and most decidedly "unlady-like" police officer in Boston. Also? She is right about almost everything. She rebuffs past one-night stands with a cold detachment normally reserved for those male roles, and sure, the conflation of typical gender roles is done for comic effect and some shock value, but regardless, it's fun to see a woman "get away" with behaviour so rarely (if ever) tolerated by movie producers and audiences. That she is never "redeemed" is the best gift of this movie.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Someone took your lunch from staff room fridge AGAIN
Image Source: 20th Century Fox
Thelma and Louise
If I don't include these two I have 48 hours to turn in my Feminist Card and Diva cup. Not a risk I'm taking.
All these years later I still wonder why Louise wouldn't go through Texas.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Road trips
Image Source: MGM
Fried Green Tomatoes
Idgie Threadgoode is the sort of woman we all need in our lives. She was a protector of the abused, the marginalized, and the voiceless. She ran her life and her business with the fierce determination and independence considered unbecoming for a woman but Idgie? Idgie no curr.
Plus, she wore PANTS.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Potluck Community Block Party BBQ Organization
Image Source Universal
Mad Max: Fury Road
Furiosa is not as physically strong as her male counterparts, but she doesn't have to be. As the true hero of Fury Road, Furiosa makes us understand immediately that her strength comes from her almost wanton disregard for her own personal safety. Instead she uses her courage and intelligence to free the downtrodden and broken. She's not going to stand for any more of your bullshit, Immortan Joe, and just you try to stop her. This movie is all Charlize Theron's and her Furiosa will not be forgotten any time soon.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Breaking out of jail and/or a really boring staff meeting
Image Source: Warner Bros
The Color Purple
I read The Color Purple when I was in grade 10 and it was for pleasure, not homework. I have never forgotten the story and the movie cemented the powerful themes in my young mind because it was one of the first times I sat and thought about my own privilege.
Sofia is one of a group of strong but marginalized black women in the American south - free, but not. They are kept - first by their fathers, then by their husbands. Sofia fights back against the system of systemic and entrenched racism and it costs her everything she has except for her steadfast spirit.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Anytime you need a serious reality check
Image Source: Warner Bros
Juno
Juno is the teenager we all a.) did not want to be; b. so badly wanted to be. She's the centre of a sweet story about not-so-great circumstances and despite her young age, she is often the smartest person on screen. She makes incredibly adult decisions with maturity and humour and perspective and she doesn't allow those who have made missteps to be villified - but she won't suffer fools or assholes gladly, either.
We need a sequel.
Ideal Friend Scenario: Bad breakup cheer-ups / Karaoke partner
Image Source: Fox Searchlight
Jeni Marinucci is YMC's Creative Director. She has a guilty conscience, a love for humour, and a questionable home-haircut. After her children were old enough to make their own sandwiches, she returned to University to complete her B.A. in English Literature—a designation which has provided her with an extensive library and crushing student loans. When no teaching college wanted her, she had to choose between taking orders through a drive-thru window or from an editor. She chose the latter.
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