I love Goldie Hawn. That’s it. That’s the post.
Fine. I watched some movies…
Private Benjamin (1980), dir. Howard Zieff
„She always did what she was told…” is one of the first things we hear about Goldie Hawn’s character in Private Benjamin. She also always wanted to be a wife, so it seems like a good thing that we meet her on her wedding day. Too bad that during wedding nice, the new husband suddenly dies. Naturally, Goldie joins the army. What we get is a „fish out of water” comedy, Goldie just does not fit in the army regimen. Until she does…
(It’s very Mulan).
As soon as I saw Goldie Hawn’s wonderfully expressive face I knew I would enjoy watching Private Benjamin. And I wasn’t entirely wrong! There are some funny moments and some enjoyable moments of female camaraderie. The first half of the movie is a very solid. But then my problems with the movie begin.
I really don’t like that the stories that introduce women to „traditionally male” (ugh) settings always have to eventually start focusing on sex. But fine, I could let it go – but I’m having a hard time with the [SPOILER] sexual assault situation from the film. „Benjamin” is almost raped by a superior which is awful but, sadly, all too common. But the way the film frames this plot line is almost as if the assault ended up being good for her because it allows her to make the army transfer her to France so that she can be with her boyfriend. I was disappointed.
But it’s also entirely possible I’m just overreacting and biased because… I don’t know, I guess I’m just not that into army being shown as an ultimately mostly fun thing. But hey! [SPOILER] At least in the end she seems to be liberated and in charge of herself!
The First Wives’ Club (1996), dir. Hugh Wilson
Maybe Private Benjamin ended up being a disappointment for me, but at least I have The First Wives’ Club. How could a movie with Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, and Bette Midler not be the best? It’s as if it was tailor-made to all my interests. Plus, Goldie’s character and performance is insane. I loved it.
Side-note: I’m really dumb and for years I thought the movie was about First Wives, as in First Ladies. So weird.*
*It’s actually about three college friends, thirty years later, whose husbands left them and when their fourth friend commits suicide, right after her husband marries a younger woman, they decide to get back together and get revenge on their exes. But I guess you knew that because I’m the last person in the world to see this movie.
Swingin' at the Seance 