Hello, Clarice
September 6, 2011 11:32 AM Subscribe
Other than Silence of the Lambs and True Grit, which movies are aimed for a heavily male audience, and are centered around a female lead character who is not overtly sexy?
Aliens springs to mind.
posted by lriG rorriM at 11:35 AM on September 6, 2011 [9 favorites]
posted by lriG rorriM at 11:35 AM on September 6, 2011 [9 favorites]
Leon/The Professional
posted by EndsOfInvention at 11:36 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 11:36 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
This earlier AskMe, "Seeking 40-plus female film kick-assness" has some great examples.
posted by argonauta at 11:41 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by argonauta at 11:41 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Some guys (not me) think Hillary Swank is ugly; therefore, to some guys, at least, Million Dollar Baby fits the bill.
posted by dfriedman at 11:44 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by dfriedman at 11:44 AM on September 6, 2011
I understand your "overtly sexy" filter, but it leaves out some movies that fit what I think your looking for, such as Linda Fiorentino in The Last Seduction. Though, thinking about it, she was also in Dogma.
posted by rtimmel at 11:44 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by rtimmel at 11:44 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I guess also there's a difference between "overtly sexy" and Swank's character in Million Dollar Baby...so maybe it fits regardless of one's opinion of her pulchritude or lack thereof.
posted by dfriedman at 11:45 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by dfriedman at 11:45 AM on September 6, 2011
Terminator 2: Sarah Conner is incredibly tough and in shape, but ultimately a mom.
posted by 2bucksplus at 11:46 AM on September 6, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 11:46 AM on September 6, 2011 [6 favorites]
Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2. Uma Thurman is naturally attractive but the films don't make a big deal out of this and it's not considered a major trait of her character (similar to Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs)
posted by castlebravo at 11:48 AM on September 6, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by castlebravo at 11:48 AM on September 6, 2011 [5 favorites]
I'm pretty sure plenty of people find Linda Hamilton damn attractive, but I'd posit that Terminator 2 has quite a lot of Sarah Connor and at no time is she posing or preening or dressed in a metal bikini.
posted by Tomorrowful at 11:48 AM on September 6, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by Tomorrowful at 11:48 AM on September 6, 2011 [6 favorites]
Uma Thurman is naturally attractive but the films don't make a big deal out of this and it's not considered a major trait of her character
Tarantino is known to have a thing for Thurman's feet (see Pulp Fiction) and the camera luxuriates on her feet in Kill Bill a lot. So, no, this does not fit the OP's criteria.
posted by dfriedman at 11:50 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Tarantino is known to have a thing for Thurman's feet (see Pulp Fiction) and the camera luxuriates on her feet in Kill Bill a lot. So, no, this does not fit the OP's criteria.
posted by dfriedman at 11:50 AM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Little Miss Sunshine perhaps? :)
(Good suggestion, but IMO Million Dollar Baby is disqualified here because Swank's character is ridiculously attractive, yes, overtly sexy; Flush, sweating, muscled, and brutally elegant? Yes, that's being overt. Those guys who claim they find her "ugly" are simply afraid of her awesomely androgynous looks.)
posted by krilli at 11:51 AM on September 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
(Good suggestion, but IMO Million Dollar Baby is disqualified here because Swank's character is ridiculously attractive, yes, overtly sexy; Flush, sweating, muscled, and brutally elegant? Yes, that's being overt. Those guys who claim they find her "ugly" are simply afraid of her awesomely androgynous looks.)
posted by krilli at 11:51 AM on September 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2. Uma Thurman is naturally attractive but the films don't make a big deal out of this and it's not considered a major trait of her character (similar to Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs)
Tarantino in particular is a good place to go:
Jackie Brown. In spades.
Inglorious Basterds, sort-of? It's a semi-ensemble but Shoshana's a major part of it and is not, I think, "overtly sexy."
Death Proof (okay, they're attractive - and the movie knows this and mentions it - but my god it is not the same as simply being "overtly sexy.")
posted by Tomorrowful at 11:51 AM on September 6, 2011
Tarantino in particular is a good place to go:
Jackie Brown. In spades.
Inglorious Basterds, sort-of? It's a semi-ensemble but Shoshana's a major part of it and is not, I think, "overtly sexy."
Death Proof (okay, they're attractive - and the movie knows this and mentions it - but my god it is not the same as simply being "overtly sexy.")
posted by Tomorrowful at 11:51 AM on September 6, 2011
I guess it depends on what you think is "sexy". How about Monster?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 11:54 AM on September 6, 2011
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 11:54 AM on September 6, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you for all the answers so far!!!
Also, just to clarify what I'm looking for,
I understand your "overtly sexy" filter, but it leaves out some movies that fit what I think your looking for, such as Linda Fiorentino in The Last Seduction.
I really am looking for the "not overtly sexy" thing even if that leaves out other movies that have other kinds of good or unusual female leads. I haven't seen The Last Seduction, but if Linda Fiorentino is seducing anyone in it, that's not the kind of character I'm looking for.
posted by Ashley801 at 11:57 AM on September 6, 2011
Also, just to clarify what I'm looking for,
I understand your "overtly sexy" filter, but it leaves out some movies that fit what I think your looking for, such as Linda Fiorentino in The Last Seduction.
I really am looking for the "not overtly sexy" thing even if that leaves out other movies that have other kinds of good or unusual female leads. I haven't seen The Last Seduction, but if Linda Fiorentino is seducing anyone in it, that's not the kind of character I'm looking for.
posted by Ashley801 at 11:57 AM on September 6, 2011
I haven't seen The Last Seduction, but if Linda Fiorentino is seducing anyone in it, that's not the kind of character I'm looking for.
That's ALL she does.
posted by dfriedman at 12:01 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
That's ALL she does.
posted by dfriedman at 12:01 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
It looks like the Lisbeth Salander films which are all getting the Hollywood remake treatment right now might fit this category.
posted by cazoo at 12:03 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by cazoo at 12:03 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Stephen King's Misery?
posted by whatzit at 12:05 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by whatzit at 12:05 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Descent.
Doomsday.
She's in a supporting role, but Joan Allen in the Bourne movies.
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:07 PM on September 6, 2011
Doomsday.
She's in a supporting role, but Joan Allen in the Bourne movies.
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:07 PM on September 6, 2011
Frances McDormand in Burn After Reading.
posted by jimmythefish at 12:11 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jimmythefish at 12:11 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Dead Man Walking - Susan Sarandon is a nun; she's not seducing anyone.
Leon the Professional - Natalie Portman is, like, 12.
Misery - I love me some Kathy Bates, but again...not exactly seductive, here.
Slums of Beverly Hills - Natasha Lyonne plays an awkward high schooler.
posted by phunniemee at 12:13 PM on September 6, 2011
Leon the Professional - Natalie Portman is, like, 12.
Misery - I love me some Kathy Bates, but again...not exactly seductive, here.
Slums of Beverly Hills - Natasha Lyonne plays an awkward high schooler.
posted by phunniemee at 12:13 PM on September 6, 2011
How about Jodie Foster in "Contact"?
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 12:16 PM on September 6, 2011 [8 favorites]
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 12:16 PM on September 6, 2011 [8 favorites]
Ellen Page in Juno.
posted by jimmythefish at 12:16 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by jimmythefish at 12:16 PM on September 6, 2011
Unsure where the line is on "aimed for a heavily male audience" but what about Contact?
Run Lola Run?
Franka Potente? You shut your mouth.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:17 PM on September 6, 2011
Run Lola Run?
Franka Potente? You shut your mouth.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:17 PM on September 6, 2011
I really am looking for the "not overtly sexy" thing even if that leaves out other movies that have other kinds of good or unusual female leads.
Sorry, my mistake for reading the wrong thing in. But Dogma still works.
posted by rtimmel at 12:18 PM on September 6, 2011
Sorry, my mistake for reading the wrong thing in. But Dogma still works.
posted by rtimmel at 12:18 PM on September 6, 2011
Strange Days. It's an SF flick. Angela Basset is a good-looking woman, but she plays a striaght working woman role.
posted by bonehead at 12:18 PM on September 6, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 12:18 PM on September 6, 2011 [6 favorites]
Sigourney Weaver in the Alien movies.
posted by jimmythefish at 12:20 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by jimmythefish at 12:20 PM on September 6, 2011
Franka Potente? You shut your mouth.
It's not about whether or not the character is attractive. It's about whether the character is overtly sexy. Franka Potente is obviously a beautiful woman, but her character doesn't really do (or dress as) anything particularly "sexy" in that movie, other than exist.
On the other hand, the suggestions for Leon are a bit weird for me. Natalie Portman's character is very sexualized for her age. This is dealt with more in the director's cut.
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:21 PM on September 6, 2011 [4 favorites]
It's not about whether or not the character is attractive. It's about whether the character is overtly sexy. Franka Potente is obviously a beautiful woman, but her character doesn't really do (or dress as) anything particularly "sexy" in that movie, other than exist.
On the other hand, the suggestions for Leon are a bit weird for me. Natalie Portman's character is very sexualized for her age. This is dealt with more in the director's cut.
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:21 PM on September 6, 2011 [4 favorites]
Chicken Run.
posted by Gentlemanhog at 12:22 PM on September 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Gentlemanhog at 12:22 PM on September 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Angelina Jolie in The Bone Collector. I know it's Angeline Jolie, but I don't recall any sexytimes in that movie.
posted by Gator at 12:22 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Gator at 12:22 PM on September 6, 2011
The first two Underworld films? I suppose they fail on your "female lead character who is not overtly sexy" stipulation, though.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:23 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Thorzdad at 12:23 PM on September 6, 2011
Fair point, Sticherbeast.
Mirrormask? I think I'm still getting caught on this "targeted at males" issue.
Pan's Labyrinth? Let The Right One In?
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:33 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Mirrormask? I think I'm still getting caught on this "targeted at males" issue.
Pan's Labyrinth? Let The Right One In?
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:33 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Mommie Dearest?
posted by General Malaise at 12:44 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by General Malaise at 12:44 PM on September 6, 2011
Ringu?
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:48 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:48 PM on September 6, 2011
A bunch of detective movies and thrillers would fall into this category. Gone Baby Gone, Twelve Monkeys, Catherine Zeta-Jones in Traffic, Possession, The Town. ( ok, The Town has an overtly sexual female character but she's not the lead.) Also a lot of offbeat comedies like Raising Arizona or Being John Malkovich.
Older movies tend to be less sexualized. If you watch Sleepless in Seattle for example, its striking how clothed Meg Ryan is compared to modern actresses. Not one shot of her in her underwear to be found.
posted by fshgrl at 12:48 PM on September 6, 2011
Older movies tend to be less sexualized. If you watch Sleepless in Seattle for example, its striking how clothed Meg Ryan is compared to modern actresses. Not one shot of her in her underwear to be found.
posted by fshgrl at 12:48 PM on September 6, 2011
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:51 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:51 PM on September 6, 2011
Winter's Bone
posted by firei at 12:53 PM on September 6, 2011 [12 favorites]
posted by firei at 12:53 PM on September 6, 2011 [12 favorites]
GI Jane
V for Vendetta
The Kind and I
The Manchurian Candidate (Angela Lansbury is amazing in this)
Sophie's Choice (maybe?)
posted by Philemon at 1:00 PM on September 6, 2011
V for Vendetta
The Kind and I
The Manchurian Candidate (Angela Lansbury is amazing in this)
Sophie's Choice (maybe?)
posted by Philemon at 1:00 PM on September 6, 2011
The Birds (1963)
La Femme Nikita (1990)
Halloween (1978)
The Howling (1981)
Monster (2003)
posted by dgeiser13 at 1:04 PM on September 6, 2011
La Femme Nikita (1990)
Halloween (1978)
The Howling (1981)
Monster (2003)
posted by dgeiser13 at 1:04 PM on September 6, 2011
I wouldn't put The Birds in there. Tippi Hedren, was only there to seduce Rod Taylor, well at least that was the Maguffin.
posted by Gungho at 1:14 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Gungho at 1:14 PM on September 6, 2011
Ripley not sexy? O_o I demand satisfaction, suh! *glove slap*
Seconding The Manchurian Candidate.
The landlady in Kung Fu Hustle?
The Bourne Identity? Franke Potente's is a supporting role, but is in like 80% of the film.
posted by xedrik at 1:18 PM on September 6, 2011
Seconding The Manchurian Candidate.
The landlady in Kung Fu Hustle?
The Bourne Identity? Franke Potente's is a supporting role, but is in like 80% of the film.
posted by xedrik at 1:18 PM on September 6, 2011
The Shining
Rosemary's Baby
Is horror aimed for a male audience?
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 1:23 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Rosemary's Baby
Is horror aimed for a male audience?
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 1:23 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
The African Queen and The Lion In Winter. Katharine Hepburn.
posted by Leon at 1:23 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Leon at 1:23 PM on September 6, 2011
I'm unclear on how one would know which gender a film is made for, but here are a few that might fit your criteria:
Cassavetes had a rep for making manly movies for manny manny men, but he made some lovely ones starring his wife Gena Rowlands: Gloria, Opening Night, A Woman Under the Influence, and Minnie and Moskowitz. He also wrote She's So Lovely for her, but it was made after his death by his son instead (with a lot of help from costar Sean Penn) with Robin Wright in the lead. It's one of my favorite performances ever.
There are several films each by Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock, John Waters, Sam Raimi, and Stephen King that may work.
Some other possibilities:
Smilla's Sense of Snow
Silkwood
Dead Man Walking
Dancer in the Dark
posted by heatvision at 1:29 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Cassavetes had a rep for making manly movies for manny manny men, but he made some lovely ones starring his wife Gena Rowlands: Gloria, Opening Night, A Woman Under the Influence, and Minnie and Moskowitz. He also wrote She's So Lovely for her, but it was made after his death by his son instead (with a lot of help from costar Sean Penn) with Robin Wright in the lead. It's one of my favorite performances ever.
There are several films each by Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock, John Waters, Sam Raimi, and Stephen King that may work.
Some other possibilities:
Smilla's Sense of Snow
Silkwood
Dead Man Walking
Dancer in the Dark
posted by heatvision at 1:29 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
All three of George Romero's original Living Dead films (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and Day of the Dead,) have female leads who are not overly sexy.
Depending on your definition of overtly sexy, you might also count Tina Turner in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.
posted by chrisulonic at 2:23 PM on September 6, 2011
Depending on your definition of overtly sexy, you might also count Tina Turner in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.
posted by chrisulonic at 2:23 PM on September 6, 2011
On the other hand, the suggestions for Leon are a bit weird for me. Natalie Portman's character is very sexualized for her age. This is dealt with more in the director's cut.
Sexualised =/= sexy.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:24 PM on September 6, 2011
Sexualised =/= sexy.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:24 PM on September 6, 2011
Blue Steel: Jamie Lee Curtis in an action role a few years before True Lies.
posted by phrits at 3:08 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by phrits at 3:08 PM on September 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Are you looking for movies where the woman is clearly the lead character, or can she be just one of multiple lead characters?
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 3:37 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 3:37 PM on September 6, 2011
Oh yeah, you mentioned True Grit, so I assume the latter. At least, based on what I know of it/them.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 3:43 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 3:43 PM on September 6, 2011
Response by poster: Ideally, *the* lead character, but one of multiple lead characters definitely works too.
posted by Ashley801 at 3:54 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Ashley801 at 3:54 PM on September 6, 2011
The current movie The Debt - starring Jessica Chastain and Helen Mirren as lead character at different ages - i centered around a female character who is definitely considered attractive by the other characters, but she isn't overtly sexy and her character is about much more than her sex appeal.
posted by Kololo at 6:44 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by Kololo at 6:44 PM on September 6, 2011
The Queen?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 7:16 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 7:16 PM on September 6, 2011
Jackie Brown?
posted by daisystomper at 7:21 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by daisystomper at 7:21 PM on September 6, 2011
Helping to rehabilitate those who have contracted polio is aimed at both genders...but: Sister Kenny
Does not overtly sexy mean not depicted having a love relationship?
posted by brujita at 9:23 PM on September 6, 2011
Does not overtly sexy mean not depicted having a love relationship?
posted by brujita at 9:23 PM on September 6, 2011
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? (Thinking Nurse Ratched... shudder)
posted by mark7570 at 9:25 PM on September 6, 2011
posted by mark7570 at 9:25 PM on September 6, 2011
Maybe Super 8. The main female character is not the lead but her character and story are considerably more interesting than the male protagonist.
Vera Drake?
Sure, she's not overtly sexy and is the female lead, but how is this movie aimed for a heavily male audience? It's a great movie but it's a quiet period piece.
posted by 6550 at 10:47 PM on September 6, 2011
Vera Drake?
Sure, she's not overtly sexy and is the female lead, but how is this movie aimed for a heavily male audience? It's a great movie but it's a quiet period piece.
posted by 6550 at 10:47 PM on September 6, 2011
Maybe Ghost World - a film of a graphic novel, starring a teen who has no interest in conforming to what's thought of as sexy.
posted by mippy at 5:24 AM on September 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mippy at 5:24 AM on September 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
It's not out yet, but the upcoming movie The Hunger Games (based on the book series) focuses heavily on a female character, who, by her own description, does not see herself as sexy or beautiful (she ultimately becomes the object of two men's affections, but you get the gist).
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 7:56 AM on September 7, 2011
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 7:56 AM on September 7, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by muddgirl at 11:34 AM on September 6, 2011 [15 favorites]