Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.
A plain looking woman escapes near-poverty when she meets the man of her dreams. But first she must prove she’s more worthy of his love than a far more beautiful, but intellectual vacant, competitor.
The “Cinderella” story plays out anew in the rom-com “Just Wright,” opening nationwide May 14.
Sure, this retelling has a hip-hop spin given its casting choices – Queen Latifah plays the plain Jane heroine and Common is her Prince Charming.
But why does this story template endure in 2010? Doesn’t a woman need a man like a fish needs a bicycle?
We live in a grrl power culture, one which constantly tells us women don’t require a partner to find happiness – or a fatter bank account. So movies like “Just Wright” need to walk a fine line between old fashioned wish fulfillment and self-empowerment.
And who better than Queen Latifah, an actress who exudes a healthy sense of her own self worth, to embody such a yarn?
But remnants of the Cinderella story still speak to women, the chance to not only meet their dream man but instantly climb up the social ladder.
That’s a hard angle for even feminist audience members to resist.
(Photo: Common and Queen Latifah star in “Just Wright” - Fox Searchlight Pictures/Photo by David Lee)
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I submit that Hollywood – both TV and film – do not subscribe fully to that “grrl power” premise. There are v. few mainstream features that have a female not in the supporting, romantic co-lead role or ISO a male.
D.