zsadat+Paul+Harvey+Rough+Draft

Zohra Sadat ECI 430 Paul Harvey Rough Draft

Vain. Conceited. Cougars. Clueless. Heartless. Humorless. [|[C1]] These are all adjectives that describe women in romantic comedies. To an innocent bystander (or movie-goer), romantic comedies seem pretty harmless; it has the usual story of a boy and a girl falling in love but not without some conveniently comedic drama that eventually results in them living happily ever [|[C2]]. I used to be one of those naïve girls that found these movies to be purely innocent and entertaining. That was until I closely watched how women were portrayed in these films and my naïveté slowly [|[MN3]].

Romantic comedies are supposed to be funny, hence the name of the genre, but women in these movies are not [|[C4]]  it’s more like “hahaha, that woman’s insecurities make her so funny.”  [|[C5]] [|[MN6]]  It is always the male characters in these films that get the most laughs. These guys are witty, happy-go-lucky fellows that are so lovable that one can’t help not laughing at their jokes. [|[MN7]] [|[C8]], but they also make sure to never laugh or understand the male characters’ jokes. To them, the jokes are disgusting, sexist, or just plain unfunny.

// Knocked Up // is a film about a poor //schlub// having a one night stand with the girl of his dreams. The poor //schlub// is basically the hero of this film, while the pretty girl is the complete opposite. The men in this movie are hilarious, while of course, the women were lacking in this department. The male characters were likable, relatable humans, whereas the females were cold-hearted robots (//Knocked Up,// 2007). Therefore, women in this movie are depicted as uptight, humorless, no-feeling zombies. The guys on the other hand, are funny, witty, down-to-earth characters.

// Sex and the City // is a movie based off the popular series by the same name that features four forty-something year olds trying to find love and happiness in New York City. I enjoyed watching the series because it encouraged women to be independent and ignored the traditional female roles. [|[MN9]]. Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s great for women to find their “Prince Charming [|[C10]]  but why is it that women can only feel fulfilled and satisfied when they have a man in their life  [|[C11]]  Take Carrie for example. She’s a successful columnist and fashionista and has great girlfriends that she can always rely on. But now all of sudden, she feels that she has to get married, even though she was opposed to it before. Speaking of her friends, one of them is an oversexed cougar who is sabotaging her own relationship, the other is a Step-ford wife, and the red-head is a workaholic, who doesn’t even notice her own marriage is falling apart (//Sex and the City,// 2008). [|[MN12]] This movie knocks out about 4 stereotypes within just 2 hours.

// He’s Just Not That Into You // is another film that depicts women in unflattering ways. The main female character is Gigi, a clueless, desperate woman willing to be with any guy. She wants Mr. Right, but she’s getting guys that are Mr. Right-Now. Her friend, Janine, is a woman who is too preoccupied with her new house that her husband finds solace with another woman. Janine’s friend, Beth is adamant about marriage, even though her boyfriend is not too keen to walk down the aisle. So what does she do? She breaks up with him, but then figures she will change her whole mentality just to get her man back (//He’s Just Not That Into You,// 2009). This [|[MN13]].

// But now for the rest of the story… // [|[MN14]] to watch romantic comedies because of the entertainment factor. But it could actually be very detrimental to them. [|[C15]] According to some researchers, romantic comedies can give women “unrealistic and potentially unhealthy expectations about real life relationships  [|[C16]]  (The Notting Hill Effect, 2009). The problem is that after watching these movies, many women [|[MN17]]  in predestined love and perfect relationships. To them, there shouldn’t be work involved in making a relationship work. People are more influenced by the media than they know it. They need to be more critical about the messages that are being depicted in the films in order to not set themselves up for disappointment (The Notting Hill Effect, 2009).

Women make up the majority audience for romantic comedies, even though these movies portray them in a negative fashion, but that doesn’t seem to stop them. Why would women endorse these films even though they are butchering the entire female gender? We as in women need to stand up for our rights and stop this discrimination against us. It is basically reinforcing negative stereotypes and teaching our youth that this type of behavior from women is acceptable, when in reality it is not. Romantic comedies make it seem that it is either the shoes or the man that define women. [|[C18]] women should be able to define themselves. [|[C19]]

Zohra, as I have noted in my comments, I like where you are going with this piece. I do think, however, that you need to add to your early discussion. Consider including how Sex and the City served as a model for women everywhere.. (i.e. shoes, clothing, cosmpolitans…) Then when you switch to the irony, (which is that women are emulating these seemingly innocent role models when in reality it is these very movies that are harming the self-esteem and independency of women. Also, I think that you might want to narrow your perspective and only include women in the US…just something to think about…

 **__ Works Cited __** Derbyshire, David.2009. //The Notting Hill Effect: How romantic comedies can harm your love life.//DailyMail. [] Greg Berendht.//He’s just not that into you//.DVD.Directed by Ken Kwapis.Baltimore, Maryland: New Line Cinemas,2009. Judd Apatow.//Knocked Up.//DVD.Directed by Judd Apatow.Los Angeles, California: Universal Pictures, 2007. Michael Patrick King.//Sex and the City.//DVD.Directed by Michael Patrick King.New York, New York: Warner Bros Pictures,2008.

[|[C1]] Great introduction! I love the way you started this paragraph off.

[|[C2]] This statement is so true!

[|[MN3]] Great introduction

[|[C4]] I think the semi-colon goes inside the quotation mark

[|[C5]] I would try re-wording this sentence. Maybe say that women aren’t funny because of their sense of humor, but are funny because of how insecure they are.

[|[MN6]] Consider changing the word “funny” and then deleting this sentence. I think that it distracts from what you are trying to say

[|[MN7]] I completely get what you are saying here, and I agree, but I think that it is a little harsh and may “put off” your reader. Maybe say “too often”

[|[C8]] Double negative – try rewording the beginning of this sentence, if possible

[|[MN9]] Very astute observation

[|[C10]] Comma should go inside the quotation mark

[|[C11]] Should be a question mark

[|[MN12]] This seems to be a bit of a jump; try to transition more into this point

[|[MN13]] I appreciate and certainly agree with much of what you have said; work, however, on your transitions between topics and try to instead of critiquing the films, really maintain the focus that women watch these films and try to emulate these women so that when you move to the irony, it will be clearer and more credible.

[|[MN14]] Consider changing to “many women watch romantic…”

[|[C15]] I’d combine these two sentences

[|[C16]] Make sure you close your quote

[|[MN17]] Change to present tense

[|[C18]] I would take out the word “but”… it seems to make a greater statement to me.

[|[C19]] Overall, I think you did a great job with your rough draft! I love watching romantic comedies, but never stopped to think about how they were really portraying women. You make a lot of great points and I can definitely see the ironic twist in your story. Nice job!

Chelsea