A good heroine can make a movie feel like a snapshot from a moment in your own life. Think of the time when you almost got the guy, when you gave that rousing speech, or how you felt when you misspelled the word "exercise" at your local spelling bee during the final round of competition. (That was me, 3rd grade.) Movie heroines can inspire us, make us laugh, and help us recover from any number of wounds that life may dole out. Here are a few of my favorites.
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Katharine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine "The Lion in Winter."
"It's 1183 and we're barbarians."
Oh, Kate. I could watch her for hours. Even when her voice started to shake and she was a caricature of herself, I loved her. This movie, in my opinion, is her penultimate achievement; the only other movie close to surpassing it during her career was "The Philadelphia Story." She delivers her famous monologue with a fervor and passion that makes me want to smack a table or something. Hard. As the estranged and imprisoned Queen, she shows us a dignified and conflicted figure that has been broken, rejected, yet still remains regal. That's what we all want to be after a breakup, ladies.
Elizabeth Taylor as "Cleopatra"
This movie is ridiculous. From the hoards of warring Romans and the decadent excess and pageantry of ancient Egypt, this movie is a cinematic Titanic that almost sank 20th Century Fox. This is the most expensive movie ever made. And then there is Liz. The chemistry between she and Richard Burton makes Brad and Angelina look like kindergarten sweethearts. The sight of her creamy skin, black hair, and flashing eyes as she lounges about in pure seduction-mode would bring the strongest man to his knees. Well...actually it did, if you check your history books,(as well as the tabloids, in Liz's case). Ladies, you are lying to yourselves if you don't want to be that for your man. Remarkably accurate, this is one of the best, and longest, films I have ever seen.
Thora Birch as Enid, "Ghost World."
"I just hate all these extroverted, obnoxious, pseudo-bohemian losers."
In complete contrast to la Liz, we have fragile and socially awkward Enid. She can be thorny - her attitude is her protection in a world where she feels like an outsider. This was me; so much so that when I first saw this movie, I wanted to do a little sprint through my living room and high-five myself. Finally, someone got me, us; all of us sarcastic, creative, shy and quirky girls. From her love of vintage clothing (before it was cool), blues records, old movies, and self-deprecation, Enid is a jaded Gen-X girl to her core. Sensitively and ironically, she is allowed to develop and explore within her movie world. I wanted to find Steve Buscemi a date and jump on a bus to anywhere, too. If you were a homecoming queen, you'll probably think Enid's a raging bitch.
Anne Bancroft, Mrs. Robinson, "The Graduate."
"May I ask you a question? What do you think of me?" Ah, Mrs. Robinson: the original cougar. Anne Bancroft is luminous, as well as hilarious in this movie. Plus her hair, her clothes, her throaty laugh...perfection. She explores the dichotomy between confidence and the vulnerability of being an aging beauty. Oh, and Dustin Hoffman is adorably awkward. Every woman still wants to know they've got it; even if they have a lifetime membership to Betty Ford.
Audrey Hepburn, Princess Ann, "Roman Holiday."
While most of her fans love "Breakfast at Tiffany's", this is my favorite Audrey film. It is the sterotypical girly movie, with sweet clothes, romantic strolls, and scooters. Scooters and Italy go hand in hand, no? I love the scene when she takes her shoes off during the ball. Gregory Peck is a perfect gentleman in this movie, and sweeps Ann off her feet. This is an all-around feel good chick flick for those days when you're PMS-ing and want to be transported by chocolate, carbs, and frothy cappuccinos.
Cate Blanchett, Queen Elizabeth, "Elizabeth", and "Elizabeth:The Golden Age."
Wow. These movies are epic. True, there are some liberties taken, but both movies are tastefully done, and I believe they honor the greatest Queen in world history. Elizabeth's story was always my favorite; the daughter of a misogynist King and his unfortunate paramour, she rose from a civil war, near-execution, and assassination attempts to become England's most respected ruler. This woman was feminism incarnate - way back in the 16th century, when most women couldn't even read. Ms. Blanchett is spectacular. The scene in the second movie where she rallies her troops in full armor is breathtaking. You'll want a sword and a steed. This movie is a must-see for every woman, and as a redhead, Elizabeth is our unequivocal mascot.
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