Activity 3.14 - Stereotypes in film.

 Activity 3.14- Stereotypes in film.

Definition of stereotype: “A simplified representation of individuals and groups of people which rely on exaggerated characteristics and traits.”

As media evolves and audience choices shift from genre to genre, one aspect that has seemed to stay constant during the history of film is stereotypes. Whether they pertain to stereotypes for certain occupations, or certain cultural identifies, creating a character that seems recognizable and relatable for the audience that has been a widely used technique to gain viewership in the film industry.

-A film that portrays the social group of “dumb blonde” and uses the gender stereotype is the 2001 film Legally Blonde. The story line follows a young woman named Elle Woods who is a stereotypical “dumb blonde.” She is initially focused on her appearance and popularity more than anything else, but when her boyfriend breaks up with her for a law student, she enrolls in Harvard Law school and becomes one. She defines gender stereotypes for young women, yet also challenges those stereotypes, societal expectations and provides her worth as a woman.

Another film that portrays the group of “women in the workplace” includes the 2016 film Hidden Figures which tells the story of African American female mathematicians working at NASA. It sheds light on the racial and gender stereotypes while males had on working women of all races at that time.

-A film that portrays the social group of “gangsters,” Is the 2006 film The Departed. The story follows the main character, an undercover cop, Billy Costigan. Who takes the role of an undercover gang member to infiltrate the organization of a gang in Boston. The film illustrates the stereotypes of a gang member such as law and criminality, loyalty to other members, betrayal, and the consequences of it. It also highlights the manipulative nature of gangs, and the violence associated with gangsters. 

-A film storyline that utilizes the “Housewife” social group is the 2002 film The Hours. A film that interweaves the stories of three women from different time periods all connected by a novel “Mrs. Dalloway.” One of the characters Laura Brown, embodies the housewife stereotypes in the set of the 1950’s dealing with feelings of emptiness in an unhappy marriage. She longs for something more fulfilling than her domestic responsibilities as a housewife. The stereotypes of women’s work expectations for only her family and home are portrayed.

-Movies that utilize the “Evil stepmother” social group, stereotype, usually create conflict to the storyline. One film that is an example of this is the 1998 film the Parent Trap. The evil stepmother, Meredith, is portrayed as a gold-digging wife who is only with her husband for a luxurious lifestyle. She dislikes her husband's children’s because she feels as if they take time and money away from her. This form of stereotype is displayed in many different storylines in many films.

-A film that portrays the social group of” Jocks/athletes” is the 2000 movie Remember the Titans. This film tells the story of a racially divided high school football team during the 1970’s. The stereotypes that the movie illustrates are the clashes between jock athletes with different backgrounds and racial ethnicities, as well as the issues with toxic. Masculinity, aggressive behaviors, and the competitive nature of jocks and athletes.

-A film that portrays the many stereotypes that come with different “race” groups is the 2002 film Better Luck Tomorrow, which follows the lives of a group of Asian American high school students who are academically successful but become involved in bad activities while navigating the complexities of personal ambitions. The movie explores the issues of identify stereotypes, alone with the pressures faced by Asian American students to meet expectations of academic excellence.