I am going to be somewhat cliche and analyze the movie Mean Girls. It has been on about five times that I can think of in the last month or so! The interesting thing is that I don't think I have ever seen the whole movie all at once sitting down. I am way too ADD and just cannot sit still for that long when it comes to many movies (no matter how much I may enjoy them).
Mean Girls would definitely be a defining movie of my childhood to teenhood, and I suppose even up to my young adulthood. The quotes from that movie never end, whether friends mention them in passing, they show up in memes on Facebook, or the plot is used in a skit that everyone can relate to. I feel like the movie contains such an elaborate plot that is able to reach out to pretty much any viewer in some sort of way.
Whether you are in middle school, or have graduated college and have been out of school for many years, everyone (even guys) can relate to the cliquey drama that unfolds in the hallways of a high school. We all know we have seen of or heard of an inappropriate relationship between a coach and student. We all know of that one "popular girl" who tends to stir up drama in every group, even if she isn't a part of it. We all know that the "new girl" in high school always seems to get attention because there is a question of what group she will become a part of since they have all already independently developed. It is always hard to be smart (especially at math)and not come off as nerdy. Girls "bitchy" claws come out when it comes to guys they are interested in, And lastly, as Halloween is coming up, we all know that the costume goal for young girls is to be as skanky as possible while still looking like some sort of character.
Tina Fey as a producer did a wonderful job of collaborating all of these little aspects into one big hilarious plot. The quotes from this movie seem to never die, and I think it is safe to say that it is a widespread opinion that that the movie is a defining one for our generation.
I have seriously seen this movie on T.V. about four times in the last two weeks, so I think it's great that you decided to analyze it. I like how you point out the popularity of this movie, and the fact that the quotes seem to pop up all over the place in different media outlets and domains. I think the reason this movie was such a success and is so likeable is because it is such an exaggeration of what high school is really like, and is almost a parody of what most teenage girls aspire to be like. It elaborates on the materialistic and shallow nature of most high school students,while at the same time providing plenty of situations that high school students can relate to, which you have pointed out in your analysis. I think this movie creates a light hearted feel for a lot of the drama and tough situations that many high school students go through, and can be seen as some what informative as to what happens if you're not careful about your priorities in high school.
ReplyDeleteAnother person also decided to analyze Mean Girls for their "Free About Film" blog post, so I'm guessing I'm one of the sad few who hasn't actually seen the whole movie. I know a lot of people seem to like it for its quotes and insight on the high school culture. In high school especially, I remember a lot of people would compare certain cliques and groups to the Plastics, and of course, drama would ensue. The characters seem exaggerated for me at least, but hey, Hollywood is always exaggerated. Also from the trailers I finished watching, the movie does seem light-hearted and friendly. It feels sincere even though what's its really doing is mocking the high experience most of us went through.
ReplyDeleteIn the past week I have seen this movie everywhere from twitter to television to my friends quoting it as well. I think this was a good film to analyze for your blog because, as you said, everyone can relate to this. It's just the perfect movie to describe high school all around. I like how you included that, and that even guys can see this drama going on around them.
ReplyDeleteHollywood seriously overemphasizes EVERYTHING! I think if they would make movies realistic, they'd sell just as much... give people something we can really relate to. But, I must admit, I am Mean Girl addict. Incorporating comedy makes overemphasizing "legal." I like the point you make about how Cady Heron (main character of mean girls) is really good at math, but fakes it in order to not be nerdy... or to get the hot guys help. This movie gives the audience (teenagers) ideas on what it could take to be popular, even though they are extremely far fetched.
ReplyDeleteI never knew Tina Fey was the producer. Thats makes sense since alot of the lines are something I could see her saying. Also you were right on with how evryone can relate to at least one of the characters in the movie.
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