Getaway trailer: Ethan Hawke is fast; I’m furious

by MaryAnn Johanson

Thu, Aug 22, 2013

4 comments

Man drives fast! Woman is kidnapped, so man must drive fast some more!

Seriously?

This bullshit narrative trope that imperils a woman to motivate a man has got to stop. It’s lazy, cheap, and offensive.

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LaurieMann

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 10:41am

Yet another movie to avoid.

OnceJolly

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 2:22pm

Speaking of the portrayal of women in movies, are you planning on reviewing Elysium?

MaryAnn Johanson

reply to OnceJolly

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 3:15pm

I only just saw it yesterday, but yes, I plan to review.

RogerBW

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 8:38am

Bozhe moi, she doesn’t even get a name. It’s just “your wife”/”my wife”. And two separate people point out that she’s beautiful, because goodness, she wouldn’t be worth fighting for otherwise.

And when did street robbers start using the services of professional hairstylists?

I think I can see the thought process that leads to films like this, though. Basic concept: someone going up against the world, including the cops. He (of course it’s he, female protagonists are Weird and Different so if we had one of those it wouldn’t be a generic actioner any more) has got to be a sympathetic character, and having a protagonist who’s a criminal is a bit hit and miss, so he needs to be a good guy with a motivation that’s stronger than his fondness for law and order. So we’ll kidnap his wife. Yup, this is what comes of always making the easiest creative choice.