The last seduction
- Film noir and new neo-noir.
- Focus areas - macro elements, last seduction (the lead film in your essay)
Note: All of these areas should 'drive' your essay forward in the exam.
- Both Phyllis and Bridget are femme fatale characters within both film narratives.
- Both these characters are strong, sexually confident women.
- The use of mise-en-scene in particular is used to emphasise this type of character - tight clothing, high heels, make-up, long hair, long finger nails are the main visual codes for this character type.
- Note that Bridget is a far more stronger, dangerous and seductive 'femme fatale' than Phyllis.
- Bridget is a representation of the way in which women had become stronger (1990s).
- NO HAY'S CODE - The last seduction is more explicit.
- Both women are representations of strong women seen in western society during the 20th century but at a given time - both are challenging existing ideas about gender roles in relation to women unlike Phyllis who represents a new type of woman that emerged during and after world war 2.
- Bridget repersents a strong post-feminist type of woman that emerged during the 1980s and 1990's - one who is very strong almost masculine in their character traits and values.
- Both of these women go against traditional values of love and monogamy.
- Bridget leaves her husband unlike Phyllis who because of the time did not have that option - both of these women enjoy sex not love.
- Both of these women are very much against family life as seen when Bridget puts out her 'cig' in the homemade apple pie from Mike's granny.
- They also seem to be in conflict and feel trapped in suburban, middle class America.
- Bridget in particular seems to 'mock' this type of lifestyle which exists in Beston.
- In one scene she takes refuge in her jeep (to hide from the overly optimistic surroudings).
- Within the narrative both women are motivated by three main themes in this genre - sex / lust , murder and money !!
- One big difference between the narratives is that Bridget gets away with her crime - however Phyllis does not and has to pay for her crime. (note - the hay's code would not have allowed Phyllis to get away with her crime.
- In terms of male characters - Mike represents a post-modern man in terms of wanting love and a relationship - he challenges stereotypes.
- Men are seen as weak often in these films and are usually passive as opposed to being active.
- These films allow for a strong female protagonist which is a role still rare in Hollywood.
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