This morning my husband decided to watch a oldie, but a goodie–Jaws. I remember watching this movie when I was a kid. I was terrified and mesmerized all at the same time. It was great, and still is. What is not so great, and I realize this as an adult, is the character of Ellen Brody. She simply irritates me.
My dislike of her character prompted me to think about other female characters I probably should like, but due to the way they are portrayed, I really don’t care for. So I decided to make a list.
Starting with:
5) Io from Clash of the Titans. I hated the way she spoke. No one speaks like that, even if they are ethereal. The voice teacher in me wanted to scream "use your diaphragm!" I actaully applauded when she got killed. What does that say about her? Aw, who am I kidding? That whole movie was bad. I would have applauded if Perseus got killed.
4) Ellen Brody from Jaws. Of course she has to be on the list, she’s the one who started it. I can’t really put my finger on why she irritates me, she just does.
3) Arwen from the Lord of the Rings as portrayed by Liv Tyler. Please refer #5 since she irritates me for the same reason. Unfortunately, unlike Io, Arwen kept speaking.
Numbers 1 & 2 are hard, because for me, they are a toss up. However, just as in Highlander: there can be only one.
2) (I will get flack for this one.) Mimi from La Boheme. I am a fan of opera, and have seen La Boheme more times than I can count. I know that Mimi is dying of consumption, but that does not mean a singer should sacrifice vocal quality to play her. That happens more times than not, and the only term I can think of when it comes to most portrayals of her is milquetoast.
And now
1) I may get flack for this one too, but it is Annie Camden from the television show 7th Heaven. This show wasn’t one I would record or plan my night around, but I would watch it occasionally, and each and every time I would think: “man, for a preachers wife that woman is selfish, whiny and just not very likable.” Then again, in this case, it could be the actor since I pretty much thought the same thing when she played Dr. Gillian Taylor in Star Trek IV.
Oh, and there should be one Honorable Mention. Kate Winselt as Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility.
Ok, there it is. My list of female characters that irritate me. Will I ever watch these movies or opera again? Of course I will. Overall, I like them. Well, everything except Clash of the Titans, there was just no help for that one.
