Greta Gerwig’s portrayal of womanhood provides representation
Representation in movies is something everyone seeks, yet is often lacking. Just because a movie has a “strong female lead” or passes the Bechdel test does not mean that it accurately encapsulates the full scope of femininity in the way that countless other topics have been. So rarely does the female mind get the care and attention powerful enough to portray it on the big screen, but director Greta Gerwig does just that.
Making her directorial debut in 2008, Gerwig had the quiet, humble entrance of a true genius, creating award-winning masterpieces for women across the world. Some of her most notable works include 2023 summer blockbuster “Barbie,” the gut-wrenching “Lady Bird,” and the perfected classic “Little Women.” All three explore different themes of womanhood and have captured the hearts of girls across the world.
“Barbie” needs no introduction. As the movie that had everyone wearing pink to theaters last year, the film swept the nation with sparkly fury. Generations of women sat in theaters, brought to tears, clutching the hands of their sisters in celebration of such a beautiful conveyance of girlhood. Sadly, due to its immense popularity, criticisms of “Barbie” hit the media just as rapidly as its praises, sparking debates about the true definition of feminism and the level to which sexism is institutional. At its core, “Barbie” is meant to remind female viewers of their innate power and to address the long-standing patriarchal values that have and continue to play a substantial role in our society.
“Lady Bird” is another award-winning Gerwig movie that has left countless women in tears from the heartbreaking mother-daughter relationship it depicts. “Lady Bird” has had a profound impact on the lives of multiple generations of women, imploring them to evaluate their relationships with the male gaze, themselves and the women in their lives, specifically their mothers and daughters.
“Little Women,” Gerwig’s adaptation of the 1868 novel, gives yet another crucially important depiction of womanhood. “Little Women” focuses on the potential of young women and why it is so important for society to foster and allow them to flourish as people, not just as commodities to men. Gerwig has a knack for bringing women to tears with her painfully in-depth portrayal of the female experience, and her ability to put the things so many women feel into words. Jo March’s ever-loved monologue is delivered beautifully, expressing that women have the capacity for so much more than just love. She proclaims to audiences, “Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts,” a statement that continues to resonate with women generation after generation.
Accurate depictions of womanhood and the lives and experiences girls lead is something so highly sought after but still found so little. Gerwig’s gut-wrenchingly accurate depictions of femininity are something that have changed the lives of women from all generations, giving them the representation so desired in the media.
