21 Perfect Galentine’s Day Movies
By Tina Wargo
Screengrab via Annapurna Pictures.
20th Century Women
This is the most wholly realized and expansive movie about a woman I’ve ever seen, and definitely the best film I saw in the entirety of the 2016 season. Though we get the detes of her entire life laid out for us as the movie progresses, the majority of this film takes place in 1979 Santa Barbara, where our main 20th century woman, Dorothea, is raising her teenaged son, Jamie, alone. And she’s struggling, to say the least. As a progressive woman with a fierce nature but easygoing sensibilities, Dorothea worries that her son won’t be able to thrive in the world as a man. She enlists the tenants of her home, 20-something Abbie and teenaged Julie, to educate and essentially help raise him.
Though getting to know these characters is a delight, and understanding the way they function within both the society they live and the culture they’ve created in their home is endlessly intriguing, the real magic is in the exploration of teaching feminism. Especially teaching feminism to boys. This movie is like if Boyhood were made not just to showcase cool directorial gimmicks, but instead to really delve into what it means to be a good man, and where that meaning comes from. The women who surround Jamie each impart their own brand of empowerment, and though they don’t always agree on what’s appropriate or effective, their individual strengths serve to bolster Jamie’s confidence, sense of self, and comprehension of empathy, love, respect, humility, and humanity. This movie is perfect for any 20th or 21st century woman (or man) to experience, especially on a day set aside for celebrating ladyhood. Plus we should all remember to be celebrating Annette Bening at every opportunity we can.
Best lady moment: At one of Dorothea’s dinner parties, Abbie goes on a mini-tirade that ends in her forcing everyone at the table to reclaim, celebrate, and repeat very loudly the word “menstruation.” It’s a rollicking good time, as is every event heavily featuring that very word!