It’s great to note that modern cinema has gifted us with so many wonderful female lead characters. Women are no longer the arm candy of heroes supporting them with their stellar acts. But they have the power to light up the screens with their powerhouse talent. Many dynamic young ladies are now leading the movement of independent filmmaking as well. They also write, direct and act, making us part of stories that are not only relatable but thoroughly entertaining.
It is not only about holding their own in commercial cinema, but women’s powerful screen presence and diversified talent are ensuring they keep their audiences glued to the screens and win over the critics and earn critical accolades. So, here are some movies about women who flaunt their best foot forward, be it as careerists, fearless lovers, relentless adventurers, and much more. The project they are sassy to serious selves and present a gamut of emotions combined with oxymorons.
Obvious Child
It is equal parts hilarious and heart-breaking. Obvious Child is everything you would want to see on the screen. Here, Jenny Slate, an aspiring comedienne, sets the stage on fire with her bold and slice-of-life jokes or commentary on life.
This unapologetic young lady discovers the niceties of life when her life transcends and is on the cusp of a big change. Adulting is not easy. She finds out, but she discovers the different aspects of adulting and the vagaries of the world, providing us with plentiful laughs. The funny and light-hearted take on life, in general, makes for an endearing watch. It is certainly a film that turns conventions on its head and walks the not so frequently-trodden path. Yes, it is cool and fun, and you have got all the reasons to watch and rewatch it.
Tiny Furniture
The star of Girls, Lena Dunham, plays Aura, a fresh graduate from the film school who plans to return home to her mother. Her mother is a successful photographer strutting her stuff in the Big Apple. Aura lacks her mother’s grit initially and is aimless.
She also believes that her degree too won’t fetch her dividends. Soon, she plans to get out in the real world and goes through many trials and tribulations, going through various unsuccessful jobs and romances. How she manages to sort out her messy life, whether she is successful or not, forms the story’s crux. It is an engaging watch for sure.
Wild
Reese Witherspoon goes on a rampage at the loss of her mother and the crumbling away of her marriage. Cheryl Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) takes control over her life and decides to go on a life-altering, journey of empowerment. She goes on a quest along the Pacific Crest Trail.
All she has with her is her grit and with no previous outdoor experience. She displays courage as she sets out alone to go on a hike to one of the longest and toughest trails in America. Yes, there are secondary roles in that film jostling for space. But Wild is primarily Witherspoon’s film. Her eyes speaking a thousand messages and a determined chin help her mark her journey on the toughest trails ever. The journey is arduous but nothing that you can’t conquer with that steely determination that Reese shows. And this is throughout the entire course of the film.
The Sapphires
The Sapphires is a movie that most women should watch. Set in 1968, this is a story of four aboriginal girls who are their best selves under the hilarious Chris O’Dowd’s managerial skills. They set out to find their soul peppered with humorous instances fraught with danger as they get their first big break performing for the US troops in Vietnam.
What is incredible is that it is a true story. The story of these four brave women who set out to conquer the world with their prowess is in itself an intriguing premise. Not only do the four women are brilliant at what they do, but the film also has an excellent soundtrack with croon-worthy songs by Marvin Gaye and the Jackson 5, among the other songs.
Sit back with your women friends, grab a popcorn tub, and watch these fearless beauties doing their thing in their inimitable way.