Would Hollywood ever make "He's Out of My League?"
We think not.
I loved Fredrika Thelandersson’s post at Ms. Blog on She’s Out of My League, the latest male comedy/fantasy flick. No, I haven’t seen it. Along with so many other films, this one will have to go straight into my Netflix que. That’s mommyhood, people. Mommyhood=Netflix.
But, honestly, I don’t think viewing it is a prerequisite to this particuar post.
To start off on a positive note, Thelandersson blogs about the film’s surprising exploration of contemporary masculinity despite the “standard guyfest” advertising. I love that. According to Thelandersson’s post, the film explores male insecurity, male friendship and a gender change-up that has the female hottie earning more money, holding more power and, obviously, being more attractive than her goofy male love interest. Good enough.
But, its the last part of this post that interests me:
Reading the narrative in these ways turns the movie into a rather refreshing piece of pop culture, carrying the message that strong women can continue to be strong rather than weakening themselves to fit traditional gender roles. On the other hand, have we not seen enough big-screen male losers being desired by perfect women by now? The chances for the roles to be reversed–the “loser†being a woman who nabs the successful guy–are slim to none (unless, of course, she’s a prostitute!).
It’s precisely this male fantasy of the geeky, awkward, less attractive male pursuing and snagging the hot, possibly successful, female hottie without losing said geek status and awkwardness. This is a perfect example about the feminist complaint and critique of representations of men and women in the mass media: the double-standard. We see it all the time. It was one of many reasons I couldn’t stand 2005’s Hitch. I mean, really, Kevin James and Amber Valletta? That pissed me off. You’re telling me you can be short, stout, overweight and missing a neck and still hook up with a friggin’ supermodel based on charm and wit alone? Well, in the real world that might happen if you’re carrying a thick wallet and/or have an impressive stock portfolio.
But, in films or real life, the reverse scenario would never happen nor would it be considered as the basis for a film, even a comedy. If some variation is offered, the woman always transforms into a more culturally pleasing version of her former self. You know the drill: the glasses come off, the hair comes down and her wardrobe shrinks from overalls to teeny skirts and tops. Said transformation is not a requirement for the male geek, even those missing a neck.
Girls and women have to be hot to land the hot guy. End of story. We’re constantly bombarded with endless images and messages reminding us that without flawless skin, toned abs, thighs, legs and butts, and large breasts that stay perky no matter their size or age, we are not going to land the hot guy. Shoot, we probably won’t land the no-neck, awkward geek. The ultimate message remains that we must embody the culture’s beauty standard or we will lose value and eventually become invisible (and we’ll definitely remain single).
So, yeah, I dig the exploration of contemporary masculinity. It’s important. It truly is. But I’d like to see Hollywood tackle the “beauty and the geek” scenario honestly and accurately without turning the awkward, “unattractive” female character into a caricature. Will we get that story? Hmmm. I doubt that it will happen any time soon and that sucks.
[…] for only dating “hot women. ” There’s a big, fat double-standard when it comes to physical attractiveness and gender. I mean, really, when do men “date down”? Why should Kim have to […]
Pingback by George Clooney Is a Bachelor, Kim Kardashian Is a Spinster : Ms Magazine Blog — September 24, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
Wow, well done. Never thought of it like that and you are completely right. Interesting how they fool us by thinking that they give women a ” powerful, sexy” role in movies. Which in reality they mean that that is the only way we can be powerful, by being sexy and pretty. If we are not, we have to change. Even more things for us to worry about. Great!
Comment by Tandis Shams Fard — October 10, 2011 @ 3:02 pm
I actually think a movie plot such as this one may be possible in the future. I just don’t think it will be realistic because of the way society expects males and females to behave. The film would not play out very well, which would make the film very unsuccessful. Other than that, I can agree with you. It seems like the number one trait an attractive woman must have is looks, whereas the number one traits for men is personality (or am I wrong?).
Comment by Bridget Tang — October 17, 2011 @ 11:40 pm
I actually never realized this, but this article is completely true. We always see scenarios where the geek gets the girl, for example the present day show “The Big Bang Theory.” But we have never seen a scenario in which the unattractive girl gets the hot guy. This fact plays even more into the media’s normative standard of beauty, even when going after a geek someone less attractive, who makes less money, women have to be hot and sexy, but men don’t. Another example of this are those horrid axe ads. The guys in those ads are UGLY, but yet somehow they always get a “sexy” girl to take her clothes off for him.
Comment by Chloe Shenassa (women studies 10 scholars) — December 6, 2011 @ 6:01 pm
Does personality even have an impact anymore? I have never seen a scenario on television where a hunk goes for an average looking girl. The media has such high standards of what a beautiful woman is supposed to look like. Tall, sexy, skinny, flawless skin, toned, colgate smile, big boobs and butt, etc. It is true that looks attract a person to another, but where does personality kick in? Some men would go for a hot, but stupid woman rather than an average but intellectual, intelligent one. Why is that? Men want the best of the best. Some men will go for a woman based on her looks entirely. Maybe that is because all he wants is sex.. On the other hand, women go for the sweet, caring, compassionate guys, who will treat her well, and if it happens to be a nerd, she will go for him, as we see in the movies.
Comment by Mary H. — January 13, 2012 @ 4:45 pm
I personally don’t believe that Hollywood would ever make a movie about a geeky girl getting a sexy and successful man because moviegoers want to see attractive women on the big screen. In order for a woman to be a successful character and get with a decent guy in a film they need to be visually appealing. This is not true for men. Even the fat ugly guys end up getting the pretty looking models, however this is not true for ugly girls. It is disappointing to know that are society only accepts women who are beautiful and only the beautiful are expected to be in relationships. These views contribute to the low self-esteem of young girls, hurting their self-confidence and encouraging them to do what ever they can to be beautiful.
Comment by Sandy A — January 14, 2012 @ 1:07 pm
I know that in movies or the real world if you don’t have the success, pearly whites and the bod then you’re nowhere close to being starred as the “girl I would like to f***.” But really? I had a discussion over this course with my boyfriend and Bell Hooks says that if boys were raised and developed in a more healthy self- esteem run place with more feminist politics involved they won’t grow up to feel like they don’t have someplace to stand in society. But how can they not if they actually don’t have the quite breathtaking portfolios of their stocks or fat wallets? What if he had a missing neck as well? It’s true that development is crucial, but no matter what the circumstance is the society is always a competition for men to have the “perfect gal.” Men are constantly competing to be the head of CEO because once some other guy takes it from him he’s lost the battle.
It’s sad to see how women are only portrayed as the “star” of movie when in real life they’re really not and only wanted for sex because this society is a male dominant society.
It’s even more desirable for me to see that women such as myself and women who are active in working towards this battle has already won the losing battle.
Comment by Crystina K — January 16, 2012 @ 4:25 pm
I think that this is a very interesting point on where the pop culture ideas of men and women lie today. In any movie, if the female is geeky, awkward, or anything that is not perfect, the ONLY way that she is going to nab the guy in the end is with a complete make-over. Oh, she’ll already have “charmed” him, but only as a friend, that’s as far as it can go while she still has her glasses on, but as she soon as she has make-over, well, then all the sudden she is seen in a totally new light, NOW he can date (there are of course exceptions, such as some kind of wonderful, but that’s the point, they are exceptions, not rules). This is opposed to movies where the guy is the awkward geeky one, and he gets to find a woman who accepts for everything that he is, for not wanting him to change a bit. And that double standard is everywhere, if a man gains a bit of weight, well, it’s cute, he’s cuddly, or just more masculine. If a woman gains a little more weight, well all hell is going to break loose, drop the buns and head for the gym, otherwise say good-bye to love m’dear, is the message the media sends us. While there are more movies out there that are portraying, well, real life, Hollywood still has a long way to go before they can claim to be gender unbiased.
Comment by Nisha CM — January 18, 2012 @ 7:11 pm
This really makes the view of masculinity and femininity in our culture more interesting when you think of it this way. MOst women are only noticed when they are seen as beautiful or sexy women, especially in films. However, most women are trying to look for guys. But as for guys, it is easier for them to find their women. In films, girls are only seen if they do a make over which is significantly different and noticeable from her prior looks. It rarely is guys needing to look better because they normally can’t change significantly like women can. It really conveys how much women need to look sexy in order to be seen. Guys don’t need to change at all to be liked because women usually find it somewhere in their hearts to accept a man for who he is and not what he looks like. The film industry really has influenced our culture and society on how women and men should think in the dating world.
Comment by Alexandria S — January 23, 2012 @ 11:16 pm
I dont think the media will ever make a movie opposite of this one. Even television shows now a day show similar characteristics shown in the movies. Weird awkward geeky kid always trying to to get with a really hot girl that doesnt even notice him and if she does notice him he’s only considered to be a really good friend and nothing more. They make women seem shallow and make it seem that we only want someone for their good looks or are wealthy. Sure the guy my change his personality for a while but then realizes that its not worth it and then that hot girl ends up falling for him. This just proves that guys dont really have to put in as much effort to change them because no matter how they look they’ll somehow find a way to score the hot chick.
Comment by Guadalupe Y — January 28, 2012 @ 2:02 pm
I think there have been movies where the geeky/normal looking girl got the hot guy. For example, one of my favorite movies is Some Kind of Wonderful, Watts who is a tomboy is in love with her best friend Keith but he is in love with the beautiful Amanda. In the end Watts and Keith end up together. Another movie is The Truth About Cats and Dogs. This one is actually a better example. How about She’s All That, Bridget Jones Diary, and Hair Spray? I get what is article is trying to say but I am not sure I completely agree. I feel like I have seen movies like this but I can’t think of any more. I do think that there are definitely more movies about the not so hot guy getting the hot girl.
Comment by Jessica — January 31, 2012 @ 8:01 pm
Wow. Right after reading this article I instantly thought of the show “Beauty and the Geek” – a show where of a group of “Beauties” (young women who have relied primarily on their looks) and a group of “Geeks” (young men who have relied primarily on intellect rather than social skill or looks) are paired up to compete as couples. After reading this article I realized I could not think of any show or movie where the scenario is switched. And society will not create media buzz around that idea because it would not be the norm. This shows how media has influenced our culture and society on the normative dating ways.
Comment by Sahar S. — February 5, 2012 @ 9:21 pm
Wow I have never taken the time to actually think about this when watching a movie of these kinds. Yes it is true what this article says about movies, movies portray women as having to be sexy and good lucking in order to get a good looking man, and the funny parts it’s that they don’t even have to be smart. On the other hand yes it is true that a women would get a major role in a movie only if she is the sexy and hot looking women, because if she is ugly, fat or too skinny she would not be getting a main role in the film and there is no way she would get apart in the movie in which the hot man falls in love with her. It is sad to see that only if a woman is hot, sexy and rich she would get a good looking man. I believe this is a very negative influence for society because many of the times films do have a great influence on people and they are use against us the women. For example if two women are applying for the same job position let’s say a secretary position and they both go to the interview but one of them is good looking meaning pretty face, hair, and slim body. The second girl is not too good looking and does not have a great body but she is very smart, well many of the time employers would rather choose the prettiest looking one because they believe it would give the company a better “look,†regardless of how smart the other girl was. So in other words it puts many intelligent women in disadvantage. It is also true that you will never see in a film a nerdy and smart girl trying to get a good looking and rich men. It is always the nerdy guy trying to get the hot looking women.
Comment by Maria N — February 14, 2012 @ 3:28 pm
To be honest, I don’t think I have ever really noticed that certain double-standard in Hollywood movies before and I think that is so because it is so “normal†to see Hollywood make these types of movies. It is common to see movies about the man (no matter what he looks like) win the model looking girl. Even in movies that were supposed to show the man picking the not so popular girl over the popular girl, there is still a transformation happening. For example, in the movie “She’s all that†the popular guy only starts to take her seriously once she walks down those flights of stairs wearing a short red dress, makeup done, glasses off and hair let loose from that ponytail. The only movie I can think of that honestly has the man picking a not so model like woman and accepting what she naturally looks like is in the movie “Shallow Hallâ€, but the major point of that movie was how he typically would never go for a woman who wasn’t shaped like a coke bottle. He only chooses this overweight woman after imaging her to be a size two beauty to later find out she is nowhere near that size but chooses to stay with her anyways. I can now pick so many movie examples that show this double standard that we’re talking about. It is true; Hollywood would never make a movie about a good looking man going for an “ugly†woman. This reinforces the idea that women need to focus on their appearance and beauty to be wanted, loved, and accepted by the men in our society. A successful woman needs to be intelligent, strong, independent, witty, nurturing and loving all the while being “smoking hotâ€. This idea isn’t fair and it adds so much pressure to women.-D.O
Comment by Destiny O — February 21, 2012 @ 7:02 pm
This is a very interesting comment on the state of our media and films in particular. The whole idea of the geek who gets the model is very intriguing in that it seems as if it almost flips the normal gender hierarchy. Males in our patriarchal society are typically dominant and in control of the female, while in this case, the female is more successful/attractive/etc. than the male. Like you mentioned in the review by Thelandersson, this story at first glance seems like a fascinating exploration into male masculinity. But then the question arises of whether or not this scenario could happen in reverse. And that’s where the problem is.
In my opinion, we probably won’t see a reversal of this movie for some time to come. Our society simply is not accepting of women who don’t live up to the unreal standard for beauty. As a result, many women will never be able to grab the attention of the super successful, attractive man (except in cases where they change their physical appearance to become more accepted). The reason for this is that the film industry is still male dominated, and as a result, the movies will depict male fantasy. I would guess that in order to see the opposite of this scenario, we will need to start seeing a larger female presence in the industry to represent the female side of things.
Comment by Logan S. — February 24, 2012 @ 4:19 pm
I have never seen She’s Out of my League, but quite surprised that it would show a female on the top of a career ladder making more money than the male. While the male is average, not that handsome and has very little self-esteem, helps to make me want to watch the movie. If the popular media companies would come together and make movies all about the average looking women that doesn’t have abs, and may have a double chin, and works just as hard as the husband, but a funny twist to it, may enlighten all these amateur companies to stop making movies about teenage kids trying to get into the popular girls pants, we might see some change in the way society looks at women and children for that matter. Media has a big impact on how women, men, and children feel about themselves, after all it’s what we see when we turn on that television.
Comment by Salina G — February 26, 2012 @ 3:03 pm
If the media isn’t knocking women down in what they do for work, the lack of money their paid compared to men and how they don’t look perfect enough for men to date. Then the situation is changed to have some amazingly sexy woman fall in love with some dork, because only the men in the movie business who are dorks, dream of this all the time. They are the ones who makes these stories many men who are self absorbed due to their insecurities, dream of a gorgeous woman wanting them, but the reality is to that she won’t. Unless you have a phat wallet and even then she won’t want to be seen with you in person. I just think its funny for those men who really place them selves high when it comes to standards and claim women to be theirs because of how they look and have such high expectations and it all blows up in their face and they never think twice about lowering their standards, or why it all blew up in their face, because in their minds women are judged and based on looks and self image.
Comment by Lindsey Segura — February 27, 2012 @ 10:41 am
I have not seen either of the movies mentioned but I have an idea of what they are about. I had never really thought about this before how “hot sexy ladies” end up with geeky nerdy guys in some movies. In real life I don’t think this happens often,if it does it probably means the nerdy guy is some what wealthy. Another interesting point I found while reading this is how the “hot sexy guy” rarely ever falls in love with the nerdy girl, and if he does she is transformed and made look into this beautiful young lady. For example in the movies Princess Diaries they had to give a make over to Mia before she became the princess. They didn’t just leave her as she was because it is not socially accepted. In this movie the character was completely happy with the way she looked and she was even embarrassed to show her face after the make over. They then expected her to date the handsome prince although that is not what she wanted, and the princess would of not been interested if it wouldn’t of been for her make over.
In most cases very attractive males or females will not end up with an ugly nerdy partner, unless there is some kind of financial reward or something.
Comment by Angelica E. — February 28, 2012 @ 3:15 pm
The fact that movies where the average girl gets the ‘hot’ guy aren’t being made is sad. In every movie that I’ve seen where the girl starts out awkward and wants to catch the attractive boys attention, she has had to change herself. These movies are giving terrible ideas to our little girls and are reinforcing the strongly patriarchal society in which we live. ‘Men are allowed to be awkward and unattractive, but they’ll still end up with the pretty girl simply because their men’ seems to be the message. While girls MUST change themselves no matter what. Take the movie Grease for example. Sandy is only worthy of Danny’s attention after she completely changes her style of dressing and acting in order to please him. This is a horrible message to send to vulnerable little girls, who are most likely already struggling with their body image and self-esteem because of the types of women and body types that advertising and media praises. As long as the idea of a ‘plain and awkward’ woman snagging the ‘hot guy’ without changing herself seem impossible, we will still be expected to conform to the stereotypical female standard or remain single forever. I don’t understand what’s so wrong for women to be themselves, whether that’s tall, attractive, and charming or short and awkward. Women are diverse and this should be more appreciated. I do praise the movie She’s Out of My League for exploring a different side or masculinity, but we still have a long way to go.
Comment by Adrienne S — March 3, 2012 @ 12:15 am
This is an interesting topic when it comes to hollywood. I defiantly think that films will definitely will evolve. We see more and more female directors and writers. In the current state, I totally agree with the above theme. In terms of shows, The Big Band Theory displays this them. An ugly nerdy guy goes after the pretty girl or in Chuck. Chuck is this nerdy computer geek at the local “Buy More,” after being implanted with super secret CIA information. He is assigned a “super hot” handler name Sara. Int he end they live happily ever after.
I think that int he news future we will see women portrayed more and more in a positive form. At least that is my hope. All that to say, this article is on tract with the on going theme as mentioned above.
Comment by Brian C — March 3, 2012 @ 11:45 am
This is an interesting topic when it comes to hollywood. I defiantly think that films will definitely will evolve. We see more and more female directors and writers. In the current state, I totally agree with the above theme. In terms of shows, The Big Band Theory displays this them. An ugly nerdy guy goes after the pretty girl or in Chuck. Chuck is this nerdy computer geek at the local “Buy More,” after being implanted with super secret CIA information. He is assigned a “super hot” handler name Sara. Int he end they live happily ever after.
I think that int he news future we will see women portrayed more and more in a positive form. At least that is my hope. All that to say, this article is on tract with the on going theme as mentioned above.
Comment by Brian C. — March 3, 2012 @ 11:47 am
I see this issue all the time, it could go both ways. I have seen stocky, chubby, no neck women with handsome tall men holding hands. I wonder if she’s either too confident that he loves it or does he lack self-confidence. When it comes to matters of the heart it’s another story. Some say love is blind, but how blind can it be? I believe that couples with the same kind of beauty hook up because they are probably full of themselves, they only want the best and the better looking. These types of people are narcisist. There are others that look further than that and see compatibility, nevertheless no woman wants to end up marrying a geek looking guy, because you will be the number one talk among your friends. You want to show people that you can do better because beauty is important especially when you live in the Capital of plastic surgery and flawless’ville.
Comment by G. Trigueros — March 3, 2012 @ 3:06 pm
I agree with the article. I doubt anytime soon there will be a film where the female geek remains a geek (glasses, skinny, sloppy dressed) and still win the hunk in the film. Its sad to say that are society doesn’t believe in charming others with our personality that we (females) must win others with our beauty and sex appeal. I’ve never seen the film “She’s Out of My Leagueâ€; yet, I can only predict the unlimited images and dialogue that depict women as a sex object and more then likely nothing more. Our society in whole is to blame. Yes there are those who in higher positions that fund movies like “She’s Out of My League” and various products/images that are hurtful to our society, but consumers are also to blame. Consumers are the ones ultimately funding these heinous gender stereotypes and are also at fault for the numerous depictions of women being sexual objects to men. To say one group is at fault or another is ridiculous. At the end of the day I believe in order for change to accrue it would have to be participation on all levels and to be honest I never see that happening.
Comment by Venezia R — March 5, 2012 @ 12:04 pm
This article is dead on and I love it. It couldn’t be more true, for the fact that Hollywood would never make a movie that the girl stays geeky. When I was reading the article the movie with Freddie Prinze Jr called “She’s All That” popped into my head which the girl starts out as the geek and it is a joke that he has to take her to the dance, but then she becomes beautiful. I thought to myself would the rating have even come close if she stayed with the geeky look… and my answer was probably not! It makes me down right sad at the media. I can be the first to admit though that I love those movies listed above and have seen them all and possibly own them all. So I guess technically I support this gender stereotyping and the mass media. Oh no!
Comment by CandiceG — March 14, 2012 @ 3:01 pm
This article really got me thinking – has there ever been a movie in which the geeky girl wins the love of the heart throb, who still maintains her geeky look? No, I have not. The fact that there has always been a transformation of the appearance of the geeky girl gives me the impression that girls who watch these films are left feeling that they are never good enough. Girls must live up to the standards of unattainable beauty in order to win the guy over – however, if a geeky guy wanted to win over the hot girl, it’s totally do-able. A great example of this is Penny and Leonard from The Big Bang Theory. Penny is a curvaceous, bubbly, blonde who lives next door to Leonard, who is a glasses-wearing, stout, nerd living with his other nerd friends in the same apartment. Penny and Leonard are dating off and on through out the television series, reinforcing this idea of geeky boy lands hot girl.
Comment by Jasmine Y. — March 22, 2012 @ 9:48 pm
I totally agree with this article. It presents some very valid information. A hot guy will never go for the ugly girl, even if she is the wittiest woman with the best personality. It’s just not going to happen. But a hot girl will definitely go for the ugly guy. If he has charm and wit, oh yea it is going down. This is how it is presented in a lot of feature films and i feel like this is true in our society as well. Women will go for an ugly guy because they feel more secure about the situation. The man is always dubbed the “player†and if he has found a gorgeous girl, why would he ever cheat on her? Now this may be what women think but it is completely false because me will cheat regardless if you are a dashing diva or a peculiar pickle. Men are a little less concerned with this because they feel they can have the hot girl, if they charm her well enough, or the lesser than hot girl, just because she would go for anyone. This double standard is very sad but unfortunately true within society.
Comment by Alina Bergelson — March 23, 2012 @ 10:36 am
I doubt that I will ever see an honest “beauty and the geek†movie in my lifetime. Its strange because in a way when I first saw the commercials of the movie I didn’t realize this message, in my mind, I was thinking something more mainstream “oh another movie about a guy trying to get a girl.†But now that I think about it, in movies like these the female character is always the one who changes for the guy, the male character never changes. Instead the female character “see’s him for who he really is under those nerdy glasses.†There are some movies in which the guy falls in love with his “geeky best friend†but the girl always seems to change in the end.
Comment by Melody A. — March 24, 2012 @ 10:23 am
Very interesting perspective. This reminded me of an experience I had as a teenager…I remember likening myself to Ally Sheedy’s character in The Breakfast Club and feeling SO disappointed by the ending. I thought her character was beautiful and funny and was *me*; I was happy to see that my personality type and style was being represented in a movie. I liked her, and it made me like myself more. But when she brushes her hair out of her face and put on a pink shirt, I felt like the movie succumbed to popular belief on what it was to be pretty and, more importantly, attractive to men.
Comment by Noel L. — March 24, 2012 @ 11:05 am
I think that this theme of the nerd getting the model in films is outrageous. It’s just something that would never happen in real life. On the same note, I did not realize that the converse doesn’t happen for females in films. What I have noticed is the constant occurrence of a women evolving from a caterpillar into a butterfly. The sad part is that the girl usually gets no respect or acknowledgment before the makeover. Furthermore, females watching these films must get the notion that they aren’t “worthy†of attention if they aren’t pretty, which really is sad. The media is truly responsible for making people worry about non-essentials such as beauty and disregarding essential traits that make us better human beings. This constant habit that Hollywood has of judging people by their exterior really needs to end, but as long as we consumers keep investing in their movies by watching them I don’t think it will.
Comment by Ben B — March 25, 2012 @ 2:00 pm
well written article!! I totally see things differently now! but yeah, major kudos to the screen writer of she’s out of my league. it makes me happy to see a woman have control of the situation for once. she is not only the better looking one, she is DOMINANT in the situation because she makes a lot of money and is high in social status, where the man is just an awkward looking and acting geek.
Comment by Chantelle A — March 29, 2012 @ 2:54 pm
I did see this movie and it was quite funny and heartwarming. However, what are “the chances for the roles to be reversed–the “loser†being a woman who nabs the successful guy… slim to none� Almost every Disney movie ever made fits this situation. I think the “loser†nabbing the “perfect catch†is an enigma society is obsessed with regardless of gender. It’s a romantic fantasy, a situation everyone finds themselves imagining at one point or another. I don’t think it really matters which one is the male or female, and I really believe there are plenty of examples that illustrate both sides of the coin. Twilight anyone?
Comment by Kayla — April 2, 2012 @ 3:00 pm
There are several movies like that where the female in control lowers her “standards†to land a nice yet short chubby geeky guy however, this article also reminded me of†The Proposal†where Sandra Bullock is the one who runs the show, is in control except for the minor issue where she is from Canada and is being deported so she has to marry her assistant, what a surprise. Even in real life I see friends of mine who are in control of their lives, independent but little flaws here and there have guys thinking they are better than them. Women now have the need to go through surgery to make themselves feel better risking their body because we have all heard about the horror stories with the surgeries. I can also see it going vice versa with the male being educated responsible with a great job choosing the bimbo who knows about all the designers and styles over the educated less fashion savvy female. There is the film†From Prada to Nada†as well with the young girl who is always in casual clothing who aspires to be a lawyer and has her sister painted as the gold digger who ends up falling for the honest but lower class individual. Stereotypes are being created in these films having women aspire for more individually yet having to lower their standards figuratively speaking.
Jesica N
Comment by Jessica — April 3, 2012 @ 10:49 am
This article is great and so true! And it does suck! Since childhood Disney movies girls always have to be pretty to get the guy. Even in Beauty and the Beast, Belle falls for the Beast because of his personality but he loves her because she is so kind and beautiful. If she was unattractive or just not perfect would the story be the same? Probably not. The Beast had a lot more compassion for Belle then her father who he locked in a tower. Would an unattractive Belle be considered a “guest” or be locked in the tower too. It is not fair how women are always favored if they are attractive and young. I loved the movie She’s Out of My League, but the message holds true. Even the main female’s best friend and sister in the movie are less desired, because they are not AS sexy and beautiful as the main actress who is labeled as a “10.” It is sending an unfair message that then translates in society as acceptable. Oh out of a group of young women the most attractive should be the most fortunate. It’s the alpha of women socialization.
Comment by S.Lockey — April 6, 2012 @ 10:17 am
I honestly believe the bookworm can win a hottie. I for one did and he loves me to distraction. It all depends on the person. Some people… men and women can look beyond glasses, the nerdy look or the weight and see the person within. Not everyone is blind to the imagine to of being skinny and beautiful. What one sees as beautiful another might not. It just depends on what people find attractive. It doesn’t neccessarly have to be the skinny popular person. The one the dresses stylish or wears a size zero and dresses like a tramp. It could be the nerdy or akward person everyone bypasses.
Comment by Eternity Holloway — April 10, 2012 @ 9:51 am
This blog is relatable on so many levels. It is BEYOND true that women must also transform from geek to beauty in order to land an attractive guy. When it comes to “catching a guyâ€, women truly have to work with what they’ve got. Daniel Tosh has a joke that says, “being an ugly woman is like being a dude, you’re going to have to workâ€. While this sad, it is also true. Society has trained women to believe that you must look a certain way to obtain love. I feel like women do not get to picky when it comes to their choices and men will break up with a woman because her second toe is longer than her big toe (Shallow Hal). It is ridiculous! In Miss Congeniality, Sandra Bullock had to go from a tough, no non-sense, independent woman to a soft, feminine, girly-girl. It was not until her transformation that she was noticed by the guy. I agree with this post, that the roles could never be reversed when it comes to media. People ultimately don’t buy it.
Comment by Catie Smith — April 14, 2012 @ 3:01 pm
I found this article to be very interesting. There are many movies out there showing the geeky or non-attractive guy getting the beautiful girl, when in reality I don’t think that would really happen, unless like the article mentioned their wallet if full. Girls unfortunately are reminded everyday from a young age all the way through life; they must be a certain way to be considered beautiful. But for men, there really isn’t a standard that is set up for them, somehow they always get women. The Shallow Hal movie demonstrates how men choose women for good looks and the name Shallow Hal is the perfect title as he’s shallow the whole movie. We as women are shown that we must fit into the standards of beauty that society has set in order to do anything in the world, people who aren’t as good looking or in shape, get treated differently than others who are. I don’t think that there will ever be a show or movie where the good looking guy gets the nerdy or not so pretty girl. There have been many movies as mentioned in the article where the good looking guy goes for the nerdy girl, but in the end she changes into that person that society accepts, the beautiful girl who blooms into a butterfly so to say. In the end, women and men are represented differently in the media eye, which is a double standard unfortunately. As of now I’d have to say that unfortunately I don’t believe there will be a movie that shows the opposite of what we already see and until society recognizes the messages that we are being fed, then we will continue on getting movies like this.
Comment by CandaceR — April 15, 2012 @ 7:04 pm
It’s sad because movies always depict the man getting the girl, whether he is a geek or not. For some reason, this article made me think of the movie that came out in 1999 titled, “She’s All That.” This movie is about a popular guy who makes a bet with his friend, to turn a geeky girl into the beautiful prom queen. She starts off as the nerd that everyone ignores and then she suddenly transforms into the girl that all the guys desire. In the end, what started off as a joke, turns into true love. My problem is, even if it is so called true love, why did she have to become physically beautiful before anyone paid attention to her? This is so cliche and unfortunately, since it is, I personally feel that if there is a movie where the nerdy girl wins the man, it will be because of a specific purpose. I don’t think that there will be a movie that shows a man loving the so called, non-sexy woman unconditionally or right from the start. If there is a movie, I see it being an independent film that won’t make it to the big screen.
Comment by Chynnassa — April 17, 2012 @ 12:29 pm
Movies have been like this since i could remember. Its sad movies are like this, but this is what people find entertainment. When women are depicted as the center of the story it either deals with them being sexy, or dealing with certain theme like “The Help.” Like in advertising, studios are going to keep pushing movies like this to make money.
Comment by Kevin Moore — April 19, 2012 @ 9:27 am
As I was reading this blog, I kept thinking that usually, yes, movies are the hot girl and the geeky guy but there are some movies that are the opposite. There is “She’s the one”, “My Big fat Greek Wedding” and “A Walk to Remember.” There is also the TV shows like “Ugly Betty.” Then I read the part that says, “If some variation is offered, the woman always transforms into a more culturally pleasing version of her former self. You know the drill: the glasses come off, the hair comes down and her wardrobe shrinks from overalls to teeny skirts and tops.” and then I realized that this is true. The woman usually has to change who she is for the guy she wants. (Still the exeption is “A Walk to Remember.”) It’s unfortunate that the media tells us women have to be sexy to get what we want. I do however, have to disagree with: “You’re telling me you can be short, stout, overweight and missing a neck and still hook up with a friggin’ supermodel based on charm and wit alone? Well, in the real world that might happen if you’re carrying a thick wallet and/or have an impressive stock portfolio.” I’ve seen plenty of couples were I think the girl is gorgeous and she is with a frumpy looking guy or a handsome man with a wallpaper looking girl. So it does happen in reality, and at least that’s a bright spot.
Comment by FabiolaP — April 22, 2012 @ 2:25 pm
Women have always been looked at as objects. Women are supposed to look like trophies and thats how we would “win” anything. If women were to look “ugly” or unattractive but have tons of money or being smart, we would probably never win over a guy. Society looks at us as an object and we are supposed to be skinny, big breasted, flawless skinned etc. This movie totally shows how a “5” guy can get a “10/good looking woman even if he’s dorky, has a weird family/friends. If this were the opposite, it would never work out in real life. There are so many movies out there today with the women having to look and be perfect while men can still be fat/ugly/poor. These movies include Shallow Hal, American Pie (where the main character thinks the band geek is too dorky for him) etc. Society perceives things in male dominance.
Comment by Linda Piyawadhanachai — April 23, 2012 @ 6:33 pm
In Hollywood a “geeky” man can get a “sexy” girl and on the other hand a “geek” female will have to transform herself and change her complete wardrobe to get that hot guy she wants. Unless the “geek” man has a thick wallet full of money then he can get any girl he wants. I think it’s distasteful that society judges people by their looks and appearances rather than the inner person. But social media influences people to judge others by their looks and so people start doing the same thing.
Comment by Yuliana R — April 25, 2012 @ 11:48 am
In this day and age it is not uncommon to see a woman at 40 still dying her hair blonde (even if she’s not a natural blonde), going to workout daily at the local gym and sporting a bra size that fits double D’s. It is a sad culture when we basically make women fight amongst each other for the admiration of men. We get this message sent to us daily about how youth is beauty and we have to compete with 20 year olds due to the scarcity of men. Is it the same for men? Not at all. Men can look and age however they want to so long as they have enough green in their wallet to support the shopping appetite of their latest conquest (a 19 year old girl). The messages are supported through movies like the 1980’s movie “Can’t Buy Me Love” in which the geeky main character has enough money to help out the young popular cheerleader. She get’s bought by the lead character in exchange for popularity. She learns a great lesson in the end of course and that is their is inner beauty in all of us. Is that true for men? In the 1999 film she’s all that the main character finds that inner beauty does mean something that is of course only after Rachel Leigh Cook’s character has transformed from this nerdy art girl into this beautiful swan who wears heels, middrifts and makeup.
Comment by Nancy Rodriguez — April 25, 2012 @ 12:03 pm
How can a 10 go for a 5? Well those 5 (geeks) are wealthy educated men who are now married or dating top models. The men who are geeks don’t have to do much renovation to get the 10 (girl). However, the 5 (female) has to transform from an ugly duckling to the hot temptress. Her intelligence isn’t attractive but the man’s intelligence is cute. These movies are hurting the young adolescents who think I rather be the cool kid at school then the smart kid who will go somewhere in life. Popularity and physical perfection is more important in today’s youth. There should be more movies that endorse education and the gifts that an higher education can give. It should be written by James Franco. He’s an educated man and very popular. The kids love him.
Comment by Yadira DiSiena — April 25, 2012 @ 10:45 pm
To my surprise, I have had friends that got influenced by this movie. I have friend who is successfully working for a real estate and is going on with this guy who works at a fast food restaurant. She has been dating this guy for almost two years. What she said she likes about him is that he is caring, which I doubt because he always finds ways to bring her down. She says that their relationship reminds her of the movie She’s Out of My League, I told her she needs a reality check, but she keeps insisting that he is perfect for her. I personally think that if you are going out with a jerk like that, then maybe it is because you don’t value yourself like you should.
Comment by Tania — April 26, 2012 @ 9:43 am
Wow, these types of films are the ones theaters need to start showing in order for patriarchy to end. Men need to see the crossover of gender roles so they know how we females feel about society giving all the props to men. Men are always the ones coming out in the business suits, with the expensive cars, and the CEO’s of companies. Men need to see there are also women who are as successful as them and they can also the ones who men are falling for. Men need to accept they have insecurities as well as how the media portray woman’s insecurities if she looks too fat, if she is too ugly, and if she will ever score a ten. It is clear this movie is changing the view of gender roles so society doesn’t stigmatize women to being housewives as their life’s destiny. With many women enrolled in school maybe this movie is looking into the future of how single women with degrees are being chased by the loser guys who can’t even afford a bouquet of flowers. Movies need to stop devaluing women and making them look so desperate for attention. They also need to stop making the males be the main actors. This just puts pressure in women to think they need to look hot and sexy to get the perfect guy. In other words, movies like these state that if you look ugly you will acquire an ugly partner. But then again, movie producers know a movie where the hot successful actor is being chased will not cell at the ticket booth.
Comment by Jovanna G — April 26, 2012 @ 1:27 pm
It’s interesting that we find the geeky and awkward men attractive but the thought of a geeky and awkward woman is gross. Even when going for a less attractive male the female must still be sexy and attractive. Its telling women that nothing else matters besides beauty. These movies make women think that women do get strong leading roles, but in reality its just saying sexy is most important. I don’t think we will see a reverse of this movie for a long time. This is where the problem is. Our society doesn’t accept anything but the intangible beauty we see in magazines. Unless a woman changes herself to look like the women in the magazines then she will never get the attractive and wealthy man. The reason there wont be a movie like this is because the film industry plays towards patriarchy.
Comment by Heather S. — April 26, 2012 @ 7:12 pm
Through crating a movie transverse of the plot that gendered norms have perpetuated throughout people’s lives. I feel that it would most definitely be possible in the very near future as it will rival people’s construction of reality and perhaps make them question how they have been mediated through cultivation to accept as their norms. Perhaps it will not go exactly that way, but to sway from the typical actually acquires attention and audiences as well, but it’s also up to the movie industry to allow the freedom of such a “different†view. If this film were to work out, it would most definitely have to dull down an already attractive female actor to which her character blossoms into her own at some point to be that acceptable “hot chick†in the process of attaining her love ideal. I guess that’s why there’s always indie films to break away from the norm of heteronormativity.
Comment by Byron — April 28, 2012 @ 12:04 pm
I never really thought about it too much, but it is true that you don’t see any movies in which a dorky/less-than-hot girl gets the hot guy without a MAJOR transformation. Quite honestly, being attractive is portrayed as being more important for women than it is for men. Women frequently go for geeky guys and find value in personality, wit, etc. (and the padded wallet doesn’t hurt, I’m sure). Women are portrayed as having next to nothing to offer besides their looks. I disagree with the comment about “Hitch,” because I think women are much more willing to look past looks in selecting a partner; women are MUCH more forgiving than men when it comes to that.
Comment by Kyle Rudell — April 29, 2012 @ 2:49 pm
The double standard in movies between men and women are very bothersome. The hot/beautiful girl paired with an unattractive fat slob has been produced in the media so many times that it has become normative. The media is constantly brainwashing its viewers into accepting this beauty and the geek scenario. I see this in everyday life wherever I go, hot girl, mediocre guy. This double standard puts pressure on women, and allows men to slack off when it comes to image. Women are already bombarded enough with images telling them that they are only worthy if they are beautiful… and now this? This expectation on women ultimately hurts self-confidence and self-worth. How are women supposed to live in a world where they are only accepted if they fit into the impossible image of beauty? Men have it so easy in comparison, especially now with the media backing them up. It would be interesting to watch a movie where the roles are reversed, but even then, people are already socialized to think a certain way. The movie wouldn’t be taken seriously, and would probably be comical to most.
Comment by Deirdre D. — April 29, 2012 @ 5:35 pm
In todays society and culture men are seen as not so attractive, but women should be beautiful at all times. A women should get ready and look attractive at all times. She should be hot, sexy, and with a sex appeal. Men are suppose to have money and a good job. In movies the sexy girls get the guys that have money and a good job.That only doesn’t happen in hollywood it also happens in Mexican sopoporas. The mexican sopoporas also portray the message that women are beautiful and men are dominant and they are the ones that take care of their family. I realy don’t think that will ever happen because that will be not following the gender norms. Men are suppose to act a certain way and women are suppose to act a different way.
Comment by Maira Pacheco — April 29, 2012 @ 5:37 pm
what happens in a movie and television shows is very unlikely to happen. There is so much of a double standard in today’s society that this would not happen. Women are supposed to be a certain way and if they aren’t then they don’t’ fit in. A person needs to be good looking in order to get a movie role, that’s just how it is. But how come we have let it get this far?
Comment by allison — April 30, 2012 @ 1:34 pm
I think the short, fat no neck guy could possibly get a hottie. It is said now in our magazines that most guys that are 5’s score the chick that is a 10, and that’s because he accepts her flaws and all. Rather than the 10 he needs and wants a perfect girl so when she cries him a river on something he doesn’t want to hear because he’s to entitle to his looks rather her feelings. Women didn’t start off at 10’s; women mold their self into it and would greatly appreciate a man that accepts her mentally, physically and emotionally. But other than that I do like this article and what its purpose was.
Comment by Kayla Ainsworth — April 30, 2012 @ 3:26 pm
Though this was an interesting article, I feel that this was taken a little out of context. To base reality off of a movie can be a little far fetched. It is true that it is statistically true that women are more accepting of a males physically flaws, the true is also said the other way. There are always certain standards that individuals have and abide by. Women can be just as harsh as males. For example in my own life experience, I wasn’t tall enough or I’m an Asian male. Though the article brings up many good points, males and females are both superficial and thus create barriers for each other.
Comment by PhilipW — April 30, 2012 @ 6:42 pm
I have the belief that in today’s society (at least in the U.S.) people are not really as shallow as it has been perceived to be. However, it’s not saying that the shallow ideals that revolve around men and women do not exist. The fact that movies such as “She’s Out of My League” are released come to show some of these stereotypes of how men and women play their roles based on social expectations/norms. Women must be skinny, sexy, have big breasts and big butts to be able to be socially accepted by their male counterparts. Like the relationship in the movie, the negative connotation that even the sexiest women won’t be able to obtain the man of their dreams does seem to show the underlying message that women must go to extremes to be accepted. Men, no matter how they look, seem to always land the hot chick, while that said hot chick is just forced to accept her fate with said man. I feel that though this stereotype between men and women do exist, it does not reflect the overall status of what real relationships are like in real life. Through my personal experiences, I have met couples where one is the average person in society (a little overweight, glasses, etc.) who is in a relationship with a seemingly “out-of-their-league” hottie, whether it be the man or woman in the relationship. The fact that the general stereotypes do exist in today’s society has twisted the facts that not everyone is like those seen in Hollywood movies and do in fact accept people for who they are, flaws and all. This issue is more of a realization that though negative messages are released through mass media and entertainment they in no way reflect the realities of what men or women are like and how they are suppose to look like to be accepted in society.
Comment by Jon K. — April 30, 2012 @ 10:08 pm
It’s sad our standard of beauty is what will give you power and make you desirable. Our society is so double standard because most things the media portrays doesn’t happen. This women in this film had power because she’s beautiful and expresses sexuality. It’s sad because that it what gives her value and desire by the male character. She should be valued for other characteristics.
Comment by Ally P — April 30, 2012 @ 11:52 pm
Society today has such a blatant double standard when it comes to men and women; the sad part is we don’t even try to hide that double standard anymore. Women are told to look beautiful and fit the standard media has set for “sexinessâ€. Men are however told it is possible to land the “hot chick†even if you aren’t sexy, because of course when it comes to men, anything is possible. This just highlights the double standards society has; patriarchy has come to define everything about society and media. It’s great that media tries to break the barriers that exist for men and masculinity, however the sad part is that media would never even attempt to break those barriers for women. Personality is nothing more than a perk, something that has been thrown to the back burner. For women, society has come to have the mentally that, “who cares if you have a great personality, just as long as your hotâ€! It seems that as times goes on, Hollywood has less and less regard for women.
Comment by Scarlett G — May 1, 2012 @ 10:57 am
I do see the argument in this article however I don’t believe in it entirely. Yes there are many valid yet ugly truths in there, however, not necessarily does the “geek†and the “hottie†scenario not happen. Hitch was an interesting concept to which tried to make people believe that love is not seen with our eyes but with our heart, because if it were for the eyes, then most of the guys would not get the girl due to being a nerd, or a loner etc… However, comparing it to shows such as “beauty and the geek†and other reality shows is nothing worth explaining or arguing. Those shows are a bunch of baloney, all they are is a bunch of “actresses†or “actors†trying to get their name out to Hollywood by doing some horribly scripted reality show in which everything is for show and the audience, not one bit of truth is put in to those shows. It is up to the actors to make it believable, and therein lies the who concept of how outlandish guys are getting the pretty girls and vice versa.
Comment by Kincaidw — May 1, 2012 @ 6:17 pm
The article definitely points out good arguments. It would be rare to see a geeky and unattractive woman nab a handsome professional without having to transform herself into a model first. A show like Ugly Betty is a perfect example of the typical scenarios that movie and TV show story lines follow. There is the movie Shallow Hal where through out the whole movie the lead who is under a spell saw his love interest as skinny and beautiful when in reality she was really overweight and unattractive. In the end he ended up accepting her for who she really was but it still shows that he desired someone who was attractive.
I’ve seen a lot of unattractive males with a really pretty girlfriend but if a really attractive male is dating a not so attractive girl then she usually has a really nice body. It seems that females are always willing to trade off and be satisfied with her partner’s personality while a man usually needs something visual to keep him there.
Comment by Michelle A. — May 1, 2012 @ 6:58 pm
I completely agree that Hollywood does not portray “the beauty and the geek” scenario honestly. Females are always being molded and shaped into something they aren’t just so that they can be good enough for a guy. Our societies definition of attractive is already so unattainable but what’s worse is that men, don’t necessarily have as high standards to uphold, to catch a girl. Apparently its possible for a very unattractive male to attain a “model like” girlfriend but a women, who does not fit societies definition of attractive, will never get a guy. This double standard is ridiculous!
Comment by Mitchelle Bareng — May 6, 2012 @ 7:12 pm
Being attractive and have the culture’s beauty is something the women should have because the womens inelligence is not enough. Women are seen as sex objects and of men as usuall as the dominant; therefore almost all the movies are focus on them. There is double standards on the movies because males are not to worry about their physical appearence because either way they get a hot girl. The also paint an image that only being young is sexy an atractive for females so in our society we see alot of women that are older that do anything that is possible to look “pretty”. With our society a women has to reach those high standards to get a guy and not stay single. But the media has created an image that is harder than ever to get that it is inrealistic.
Comment by Gladys S — May 7, 2012 @ 12:56 pm
I swear, every time I read one of these articles, it’s like having a therapy session for free! You don’t realize that some mindsets are ingrained in you until you have it spelled out in a blog post. I feel so bad for the girls who are looking for a guy just based off of his looks and because of their own superficiality, they end up hurting themselves and their own self image. By reflecting their own insecurities onto others, they are making life much more difficult on themselves. I honestly think that once girls stop going for the “hot guy” just because he’s hot, then they’ll realize that they could get anyone they want. I think this movie could be a reflection of the fact that girls these days are really great, but they still don’t think they’re “good enough” for the hot guy. In reality, the “hot guy” is impossible to have because… HE DOESN’T EXIST! Unfortunately, the odds are ever not in our favor.
Comment by Stephanie Farzam — May 7, 2012 @ 6:16 pm
This is so true, and actually something I’ve noticed prior to beginning this class. Why is the fat, gross guy always married to a hot wife?? I see it all the time in sitcoms and even cartoons! In The Simpsons and Family Guy, both of the dads are fat, lazy and stupid and married to a wife that is too good for them. I get offended that all I see are different types of men that are always with perfect women. What does that say about me and who I will be in a relationship with? This visually reinforces the idea that women are objects and regardless of how successful or attractive a man is he still has a chance to be with a hot woman. The show Mike & Molly is the only show I see right now that the fat man is married to an equally fat wife. But still, I do not think there would ever be a fat wife with a hot and athletic husband because the men directing and producing those shows do not want to show that. Realistic or not, only attractive women are in movies to be visually pleasing for other men.
Comment by Jessica C — May 7, 2012 @ 10:22 pm
This article does raise a good question in that would hollywood create a movie “he’s out of my league”. There are many cliches in media where the male who is depicted as a nerd gets the attractive woman as being a romantic heartfelt love story. It would be interesting to see a movie in which the roles were reversed.
Comment by AL P — May 8, 2012 @ 11:10 am
I really liked this article. A lot of times in movies if there is a geeky girl tryin to get the hot, popular guy, she has to go through this transformation if you will to become hot enough for the guy to notice her. What kind of message is that sending to girls? It’s like saying guys – no matter what their looks or status is in society, they can get the pretty, smart and wealthy woman. It’s not the same for women though. You have to be pretty to be with an attractive, wealthy man. The only sitcom that I can think of off the top of my head that attempts to bring in a hard working geey girl is Ugly Betty.
Comment by Kristin Singleton — May 9, 2012 @ 12:00 pm
I considered this for a while, trying to see if I could think up a movie like this. The only one I could think of was “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, where the somewhat-plain Nia Vardalos manages to hook John Corbett. While she does go through *some* physical changes –she learns to style her hair a bit and puts on a little lipstick– she doesn’t become a caricature of herself. Most of the changes are in her attitude; she decides to go back to school and get a better job, and with her newfound confidence she manages to find love.
However, this film is (A) more the exception than the rule, and (B) made by an independent studio. It’s the second-highest-grossing independent film of all time, though… perhaps studios could see their way clear to trying it again?
Comment by Renee H — May 9, 2012 @ 7:32 pm
I truly applaud the author of this article for expressing her views in an unabashed fashion. I completely agree with her points about the media’s double standard for the geek nabbing the beauty. The plot line of dorky, insecure male nerd ending up with the beauty with supermodel good looks is quickly becoming a cliché on the big screen. I have seen multiple films sharing this common plot line including She’s Out of my League. The female lead in this movie is strong, beautiful, and successful in comparison to her male love interest. He is employed at a lackluster job, average- looking, and quite scrawny. Personally, I would rate the male as better looking than just average, but nonetheless, the female actress is markedly more attractive on several dimensions. Hitch gave hope to all middle age, overweight men when Kevin James’s character ended up with the aesthetically gifted Amber Valleta. Would this love scenario play out in the real word? I highly doubt it. I welcome the newfound exploration of contemporary masculinity, but I believe that it will be awhile until be can expect to see the same theme with the roles reversed.
The hot girl is the only one who ends up with the gorgeous, financially well-off man. It is a fact of life on screen and in reality, with relatively few deviations from the norm. She’s All That, a teenage rom-com, is the epitome of how female transformation can get you the guy. The female lead, an introverted, artsy high school student name Lanie, is used as the source of a bet, which challenges the popular jock to turn the most unpopular girl into prom queen. The male lead, played by 90’s heartthrob Freddie Prince Jr., eventually falls for Lanie, but not until he sees her fully glamorized. She is stripped of her old attire and adorned with a short, tight-fitting dress; her face is embellished with makeup and her hair is cut into a stylish bob. Her radical transformation casts her in a new light, and she quickly becomes the most sought after girl in school. In the end, she somewhat reverts to her old style, but ends up with Freddie Prince Jr. and her newfound popularity remains intact. This exemplifies the point that the author of the article made: “Girls and women have to be hot to land the hot guy. End of story.†I hope that in the near future Hollywood makes a deliberate choice to negate this claim and produce films depicting the average women with the nice-looking, highly valued man.
Comment by Nicole Z. — May 9, 2012 @ 10:02 pm
You are completely right! Hollywood would never make a movie with the reverse being true. The message that the movie brings is that men can get women that are beautiful while not being good looking themselves. This basically states that looks mean very little to men whether it be that power is more important or status. It also states that women are required to be good looking to succeed in today’s society. The movie itself was pretty funny, but it does portray those problems that we currently have in society.
Comment by Matthew Smit — May 10, 2012 @ 10:19 am
The day an “ugly” girl lands a hot guy in the movies has about the chance of happening as an ice skating horse. It all boils down to biology and evolution where men seek the attractive women with symmetrical features because their beauty is an indication of healthy genes free of illness and pathogens that will produce viable offspring capable of surviving and reproducing his genes and therefore carrying his biological legacy to future generations. In terms of evolution, women, on the other hand, put less emphasis on men’s looks because they are looking for a man who will be a good provider and caring; characteristics that are beneficial to helping her and any children/ future children survive. This is very true even after billions of years of evolution the overall mentality has remained relatively consistent. Women are more forgiving in terms of looks and are willing to make more compromises about men’s appearances if the man has a good personality and shows signs of being a good father/partner. Men, however, do not make these compromises as much and if the man does not find you physically attractive then it most likely is not going to happen. It would be refreshing to see such a movie but I’m not getting my hopes up of seeing one anytime soon.
Comment by Melody Sabet — May 10, 2012 @ 1:32 pm
I honestly never thought about how in every movie that there is a geeky looking guy he can always score the hot attractive girl and not have to change himself. Many times he often tries to change himself but it ends up failing and ends up getting the girl by just being himself. This is so opposite for girls. Girls have to be hot no matter what. If the girl starts out geeky she then transforms into a super gorgeous girl as if it was hiding the entire time. You would never see a movie where the girl stays geeky and scores an amazingly hot guy. It is really interesting and I would love to see a movie like that be done. It would be so different and I’m sure many people would be shocked that the girl got to stay the way she was. I too believe that guys need to be comfortable with their skin and the way they are but we need girls to be the same way. If we can have guys stay geeks and get hot girls we really should have girls stay geeks and get hot guys. Also I have noticed if girls are playing geeks in shows they are never really geek looking they are still super pretty they only thing that might make them a geek is that they have glasses on. Movies should find actresses that can actually look the part and still get the guy. I would watch a movie like that!
Comment by Brittany P — May 10, 2012 @ 5:50 pm
Wow, very interesting. I actually never thought of it that way, and I think it would be very interesting to see a movie like that. We always see movies where the female actress is the one thats being chased after, or seen as “too good” or “out of league” for the male actor. It would be very cool to see a movie where the male is “out of her league” or where a girl is trying to get this boys attention. I dont think this would be very successful, solely because of the way society is set up. We live in a patriarchal society so the mere thought of a woman chasing after a man to that extent (movie context) would be unheard of. If movie producers really wanted to be avant garde with their work, they could work on a movie based on homosexuality and see how it faires in the box office.
Comment by Jason Guanlao — May 11, 2012 @ 3:08 am
This article really helps me view this film in a different way. I have seen “She’s Out Of My League” before and I have always thought that it gave women the power instead of the men for once. However, I see that this is not the case after being enlightened by this article. The said girl is supposedly out of the guy’s league because of her physical attributes -not because she is intelligent or financially successful. Therefore, this film sends the message that women can only be powerful through their looks. Basically, us women are meant to sit around, look pretty, and do nothing else. This is offensive because this message almost assumes that women do not have brains or don’t amount to much other than our physical attributes. It is strange how the creators of this film attempted to show the girl as the one in power, when she is actually being put on display for men to lust after.
Comment by Britjette M. — May 11, 2012 @ 10:43 pm
I really enjoyed this article because it made me reflect on many of the movies that I have seen. More importantly, it makes me think about what has happened, similarly, in “real life.†It always seems like the dorky girls, actually all kinds of girls, like the jocks. Or, the dorky guys like the hot cheerleaders. However, I can not think of anytime in “real life†where I have seen a dorky girl actually “get†to date the jock. It almost seems as if there is this idea that the jock is “better†or more important than the dorky girl.
I think this is really damaging to society because it shows children that it’s important to not be dorky and to be a jock. I, obviously, do not agree with this and think that children need to be taught that as long as your are a “good†person than that’s all that matters. Way too much trouble and emotions go in to attempting to create kids that are better and better than their peers. I think it is unhealthy and ultimately sets children up for a life of constant competition.
Comment by K — May 12, 2012 @ 12:01 am
Hollywood would never make a movie “He’s Out of My Leagueâ€. When you see movies were the women is this beautiful tall model, who ends up with the short unattractive guy, it is unreal in reality. In the real world in the society we live in, that will only be possible he had lots of money. When you see similar movies with reversed roles, the women tend to be a geeky woman who is in the end transformed into a hot attractive woman. You will never see a fat unattractive woman with a handsome guy. In order for her to be with attractive man she would have to alter herself. In the media, women are seen to only be beautiful and to have a man they have to either remain beautiful or make themselves beautiful. For a man being looked at in media he isn’t held up to the same standards. He can have an attractive woman and for him he may not be completely attractive or even measure up to the woman. The media she’s images that a guy doesn’t have to look that bad to get a women. It shows the complete opposite for women. To even be looked at by a man she has to have the total package of beauty.
Comment by Glynda Givens — May 12, 2012 @ 10:13 am
Hollywood would never make a movie “He’s Out of My Leagueâ€. When you see movies were the women is this beautiful tall model, who ends up with the short unattractive guy, it is unreal in reality. In the real world in the society we live in, that will only be possible he had lots of money. When you see similar movies with reversed roles, the women tend to be a geeky woman who is in the end transformed into a hot attractive woman. You will never see a fat unattractive woman with a handsome guy. In order for her to be with attractive man she would have to alter herself. In the media, women are seen to only be beautiful and to have a man they have to either remain beautiful or make themselves beautiful. For a man being looked at in media he isn’t held up to the same standards. He can have an attractive woman and for him he may not be completely attractive or even measure up to the woman. The media she’s images that a guy doesn’t have to look that bad to get a women. It shows the complete opposite for women. To even be looked at by a man she has to have the total package of beauty.
Comment by Glynda Givens — May 12, 2012 @ 10:13 am
Interesting question would Hollywood would ever make a “He’s out of my league?†I don’t believe so. It has become common place that every guy has grown up learning that if you are not born with chiseled good looks, as they say don’t worry, just make lots and lots of money. Because looks are not as important for a man as beauty is for a woman. A powerful man falling for a common plain “5†like the premise of this movie, unless she is cute, is not going to happen.
Comment by Albert Q — May 12, 2012 @ 11:14 pm
This blog gave me a new perspective to some Hollywood films. When I saw “Hitch”, the message I got was that maybe we should not be so focused on beauty. I never really considered the opposite of those films. The geeky girl getting the stud. She always has to transform into something else to fit into what the guy wants. The saddest part of this all is that I have been programmed so much by societal standards that I did not get the sexism behind these messages in films. I hate to say it, but I even accept that it is normal that you have to change for a guy. This is probably one of the reasons that I am so unhappy in the relationships that I choose to engage in. Have I been programmed by society so much that I have conflicts because of it? Makes me wonder….
Comment by J. Prock — May 13, 2012 @ 12:16 am
A movie plot such as this is possible to becoming reality in the future. I think this will be realistic because of the way society expects males and females to behave. The film actually plays out very well, which would make sense why hollywood decided to make this movie. Overall, It seems like the number one trait an attractive woman must have is looks, whereas the number one traits for men is personality
Comment by VicG — May 13, 2012 @ 4:46 pm
I found it very interesting that the topic of “double standard†was brought into this post. I never realized that the geeky, awkward guy would always land the attractive, “out of his league†girl in films. But now when I think about it, that scenerio has occurred in countless movies I have seen. However, it makes me wonder, “Have I ever watched a movie that the dorky girl lands the hot jock?â€. The answer is yes, however, it is an example of being double standard because when the geeky guy gets the girl, he charms her with his sense of humor and personality. He does not need to alter the way he dresses, his hair, or his body- he can stay ugly and dorky all he wants, just as long as he has that personality. But why is it that when the nerdy girl wants that popular guy at school, she needs to change the way she dresses into more “skimpy†looking clothes, change her hair and ditch the glasses to contacts. In my opinion, media has served as this basis for this “picture perfect†female who has to be skinny, tan and gorgeous to get the hot guy. This is the “picture perfect†example of inequality in our society.
Comment by MaryD — May 13, 2012 @ 6:13 pm
Women do have to be hot to land a hot guy, I totally agree. Also, women have been more pressured in keeping up their appearance because they want that handsome man who can take care of them and give them the perfect beautiful family. It’s not every day you see a beautiful woman with a unappealing looking man unless he is rich, and when you do see a couple such as that people assume that she is only with him because he’s taking care of her.
I think that it is the environment that you are in that tells you if you’re an eight you can be with someone who is a ten because in society that is above average. However, if you are a five don’t push your luck unless you’re financially secure. I’ve caught myself before asking what made him ask her out because clearly their physical appearnce did not match. This was a great read.
Comment by Simara Williams — May 13, 2012 @ 6:51 pm
Everyone says to not be so focused on beauty or looks BUT when it comes down to it, that is the first thing everyone judges. I’m sure every one of you has had a friend that he/she was dating that was less good looking than your friend. Everyone questioned the relationship, right?? It rings true regardless of Hollywood story lines. And hey, there is a movie where the geeky girl got the stud! Have you ever seen A Walk to Remember? Cheesy, I know but she was the geek that landed the stud. Yes, personality among other non-physical attributes are important, but c’mon people, a big part of a successful relationship is being physically attracted to the other person. As great as it would be to jump on the sexist train on this one, I can’t buy a ticket.
Comment by Avery G. — May 13, 2012 @ 7:36 pm
This was an interesting article. I never thought about the roles being reversed. It is true you always see some guy who society would not deem attractive, end up getting the girl in the end. I can not recall any film where the girl is not attractive and still get the attractive guy by being herself. Women have to go through all these troubles to change themselves in order to get the guy. However, for men, they usually change themselves, but end up being rejected and just stay the way they were. With this, they end up getting that attractive girl. I can recall a few movies where women try to change themselves, but end up stating the same. The problem is, however, that in those movies the women are already usually attractive. Those who are not, are the ones that must go out of their way to look like a model.
Comment by DannyM — May 13, 2012 @ 8:08 pm
I think this is really damaging to society because the weird awkward geeky male is always trying to get the attention of the really hot girl that doesn’t notice him and would only considered him being a friend and nothing more. I feel that these films make women seem shallow, materialistic and only looking for someone to take care them and by that I mean having money. I think this is very unfortunate for both males and females because it makes both genders feel that they have to meet this unrealistic expectation of how we should look and behave. I truly believe media will never make a movie opposite of this one.
Comment by Vanessa Ochoa — May 13, 2012 @ 8:13 pm
Seventy years ago, women were capturing major Hollywood roles just as easily as men were. An exception to this rested with the few action movies of this time, where women could not be found saving the day. Thirty years ago, it became quite evident that women could star in action films, but only if they were helpless, and of course drop-dead gorgeous. Also at this time, women’s roles as a total were on a downward spiral compared to the early days of film. In today’s Hollywood, we can see a combination of these two generations of Hollywood. Women are beginning to recapture more major roles, and if they are drop-dead gorgeous, they can star in an action film. The one major difference with today’s Hollywood is not only can women star in action films; they can have greatly empowering roles now too. This pattern is observed throughout the vast majority of Hollywood flicks over the past few years. There is an ongoing dispute over whether or not the changes that are occurring are encouraging for women, or if it is just a new idea from filmmakers to target a wider audience that will bring in more revenue. Nonetheless, we can see that although there is a clear inequality between men and women on the big screen, there have been great improvements by female actors to gain respect and equality in their roles, especially in action movies.
First off, the image that is created is the image that is ‘desired’ by society as a whole. The perfect body that is flaunted by every actress on camera makes the average woman feel inferior. These images create a sense of weakness from many females’ perspectives. The only negative stereotypes that are not portrayed in these films are that women must be keeping the house clean, cooking dinner every night, and taking good care of the children. This is only the case because it is difficult to incorporate those ideas into an action film. Stereotyping was especially evident in 1960’s, before the women’s liberations movement. The movement impacted stereotyping to a very small degree in Hollywood. Although it was reduced as a result of the movement, stereotyping continued to persist through the 1970’s, and even through today’s films.
Comment by Ani S — May 13, 2012 @ 9:09 pm
The culture beauty standard has played an important role in the way women feel about themselves and overall double standard in the way media portrays both men and women. This post does an excellent job at identifying the gender issues within media outlets and highlights the gender inequality imbedded within society. The fact that pretty and successful women fall for less attractive and socially awkward men in almost all major romance movies shows that this double standard is far from over.
Comment by Masis H — May 13, 2012 @ 9:18 pm
I think this was a great article. I agree with the author because I don’t think Hollywood would make a movie like this. Women are the ones that care most about their image. Women liked to be chased, and men like to chase women. It would be diffcult to make a movie that acturately showed a man changing his appearance becuase I dont think women care that much about a male’s appearance. I think women care more about a man’s money less about a man’s facial features.
Comment by Vincent McGhee — May 13, 2012 @ 9:32 pm
It’s pretty sad how in hollywood, there is no such thing as an ugly woman. Not that anyone is ugly, everyone is beautiful in their own way, but you wouldn’t see a movie in hollywood where a unattractive woman ends up with a hunk, and if she does, than she has been made over. In the movie “She’s all that” the dorky not so cute girl gets made over into a barbie just so she can be seen with the popular guy. Why didn’t the movie have her stay the way she is? Why couldn’t the guy fall in love with her as her remaining a dork with her ponytail and glasses? Because hollywood is hollywood and sex sells and because women will always remain to be the bombshells as long as hollywood remains alive and working! I really enjoyed the movie “She’s out of my league” but I didn’t like how they had to portray the girl to be so perfect. Of course they chose a gorgeous blonde hair blue eyed blonde, but why couldn’t they chose a simple brunette? The entire movie was based on the beauty of the girl and it was always emphasized how perfect she is, but that’s not what the movie was even about, but with the way it was structured, that’s how it seemed. The movie wasn’t a biography of the perfect blonde, but it was directed to be exactly that.
Comment by Anna Kleyman — May 17, 2012 @ 6:59 pm
Excellent article. I knew I didn’t like this movie or want to see it, thank you for giving me a better reason than thinking it was a very simple movie about a nerdy boy getting the hot girl. Excellent question raised about whether a nerdy girl would ever be portrayed in this role getting the hot guy? I would love to say yes, but I doubt many males would watch it. Actresses are already mercilessly judged by their looks, I can only imagine how hard a female would be judged if the girl was supposed to be average. It would probably end up being Adrian Lima or some Victoria’s Secret model in a fat suit and makeup, and she could spend weeks before the movie talking about how difficult it was to play ugly. I’d love to see a movie made for young girls to have someone to identify with. I meet so many wonderful and beautiful girls who know guys won’t like them based solely on their looks. I try to convince them otherwise because I do believe they are beautiful, but it is a challenge when mass media and the public shouts the exact opposite.
Comment by JaeYoon Chung — May 20, 2012 @ 7:45 pm
This article is so dead-on with media having the power to control human behavior. This article makes the point that media has the power to influence human decision making. I am tired of seeing movies with nerdy men always getting the hot girl in the end; when you never see a movie with the ugly girl getting the hot guy (unless she changes to his standards). It’s not fair that a woman has to live up to a man’s expectations, but the man doesn’t have to live up to the woman’s. This train of thought is what causes oppression and make women look inferior. Please ladies start recognizing this and stand up for yourselves. Stop allowing Hollywood and other forms of media to make you feel worthless.
Comment by Mary Marrone — May 30, 2012 @ 10:24 am
Damn, this article really made me think… and really made me mad, to be honest. It’s so shitty that people like Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen (who have since lost weight, I know) can become ultra famous and ultra popular simply because they are funny. Rarely was their appearance referenced. Overweight women who may act (they are few and far between, mind you) will find themselves at the butt of every fat joke and will be hard-pressed to find an instance when they are separated from their weight and simply viewed as talent. There is such a double standard, and while we all acknowledge it, no one takes significant steps to change it. For guys, I feel like any movie role is possible — stud, professional, psycho, troubled, rich guy, the possibilities are endless. For women, the roles are generally as follows: (hot) girlfriend, (hot) friend that the guy ends up wanting, (hot) sidekick to a male, or bitchy (but still hot) boss. Give or take another few feminine titles undoubtedly preceded by “hot”. It just sucks that women have to conform so narrowly to these beauty standards and men can get the hot girl and the job by not giving a shit what they look like.
Comment by Lyndsay A. — May 30, 2012 @ 2:06 pm
The theme of the “beast†getting the “beauty†in the end of every romantic movie or story is quite unrealistic. I have never noticed that romantic movies always make it that the women needs to change herself for the man, even if he is a nerd or a geek. Now I see that the type of message the film industry is sending women is that as long as you change yourself for the person you love, you will receive the same love in return. Women should be embracing who they are and they should find someone who will love them for what they are worth. It is not fair that this is the message being sent to women but not men. Of course I do not stand by this message, but I also do not think it is fair for females. Women already deal with a lot of insecurities and question their self worth, so the film industries should not be sending this message. It is the media’s fault for giving women the impression that they will find love if they change themselves, and to be honest, that is sad.
Comment by Pauline T — May 30, 2012 @ 5:01 pm
I can’t say that I have seen, “She’s Out of My League”, but it does sound funny and you made me interested to see the exploration of masculinity. The double standard between male and females are very annoying and are very common. It is sad to think about that females have this idea that we must be beauty to be worthy of something. Why does society want to put down women so much ? It is difficult to not let this culture’s beauty standard get to you because it surrounds us everything with all of these beautiful women in the media. I feel like I know who I am as a person but there is some momements I feel like I myself don’t fit the standards. I do eventually snap out of it but for some females it is a bit difficult for them . I can’t image feeling like that constantly.
Comment by Amanda A. — June 30, 2012 @ 4:23 pm
As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with this article 100%. Although we may hate it, the world does work like that. Unfortunately, I feel that there is nothing anyone can do about it because personally I a male, will probably never go out with a girl with a girl who weighs more than 150 lb. Although this may sound cruel, I won’t sugarcoat it because this is the way I am. I sympathize with overweight/ugly girls because even though people don’t treat them with the respect that they deserve, they are still considered people with feelings. Hopefully a time will come in our generation when unattractive women will be perceived as beautiful as attractive ones.
Comment by Alexander K (Wom.10 Scholars) — September 8, 2012 @ 11:11 am
Funny how this has never crossed my mind, especially when it is so common in movies today. While reading this article, a few movies instantly popped into my mind. Some of them being “The House Bunny,” “Mean Girls,” and “Never been Kissed.” A brand new made girl with a makeover is apparently the only way for a happy ending in movies these days. These movies show that looks and fitting in exceeds all, whether it be being kind or smart, etc. “She’s Out of my League” is the rare exception where a nice guy does indeed finish last. What sells in movies is the idea of the boys and girls you want to be. It’s refreshing to see actors make it simply because of their talent or humor. These movies are closer to reality and more relatable.
Comment by Nadia A — October 3, 2012 @ 3:04 pm
I highly doubt Hollywood would ever make “He’s Out of My League.” Hollywood simply would rather create other films similar to “She’s Out of My League” because it encourages men dominating not only over other men but women as well. This movie shows that unless a woman wants to be wanted by males, she must maintain this artificial standard of beauty created by society which in most cases in impossible to achieve. The hourglass figure, big boobs and butt, etc… are difficult for most women. This film only encourages these impossible expectations and sets up women in our society for failure and disappointment. Although I am a man, I still feel that this movie encourages me to focus on the looks of a woman rather than her personality. It is also unfair that a woman has to maintain expectations that men has set for her but the opposite isn’t true. Only in a society where we can create films that focus on creating empowerment for all genders can we move forward.
Comment by Nathan R — October 6, 2012 @ 2:13 pm
It’s an interesting concept to think about. Many romantic comedies all have the same underlying theme of a conquest. It’s either the guy tries to impress the girl and she falls for it or the girl changes herself completely to get the guy. Though both these conquests come from to different sides, they are still targeted to impress the guy. These movies may give off an illusion that the women in the story line have the power, they are in reality at the disposal of the men who their lives seem to center around.
Comment by Michelle G. — October 23, 2012 @ 10:39 pm
I have actually watched “She’s Out of My League” and loved the movie as well. There are so many movies in our culture today where you see the female-character changing to fit the needs and standards of the male-character. Therefore, it is nice to have a movie like this where the female-character remains the successful powerful character that she is instead of “dumming†herself down to serve the masculine needs of the male-character. I also enjoyed how their relationship is not ruined because of the fact that she has a better job than than he does and is more confident than he is.
Comment by JasminB — October 25, 2012 @ 10:00 am
I don’t think I have ever really noticed that certain double-standard in Hollywood movies before and I think that is so because it is so “normal†to see Hollywood make these types of movies. It is common to see movies about the man (no matter what he looks like) win the model looking girl. Even in movies that were supposed to show the man picking the not so popular girl over the popular girl, there is still a transformation happening. For example, in the movie “She’s all that†the popular guy only starts to take her seriously once she walks down those flights of stairs wearing a short red dress, makeup done, glasses off and hair let loose from that ponytail. The only movie I can think of that honestly has the man picking a not so model like woman and accepting what she naturally looks like is in the movie “Shallow Hallâ€, but the major point of that movie was how he typically would never go for a woman who wasn’t shaped like a coke bottle. He only chooses this overweight woman after imaging her to be a size two beauty to later find out she is nowhere near that size but chooses to stay with her anyways. I can now pick so many movie examples that show this double standard that we’re talking about. It is true; Hollywood would never make a movie about a good looking man going for an “ugly†woman. This reinforces the idea that women need to focus on their appearance and beauty to be wanted, loved, and accepted by the men in our society. A successful woman needs to be intelligent, strong, independent, witty, nurturing and loving all the while being “smoking hotâ€. This idea isn’t fair and it adds so much pressure to women.
Comment by PanteaP — October 27, 2012 @ 11:45 am
Interesting points made in this article, Hollywood does control our views and standards. Speaking of image and perception the movie Shallow Hal comes to mind. Love that film! The basis of the movie is that a shallow man Jack Black falls in love with an obese woman 300 pounds played by Gwyneth Paltrow purely based on her “inner beautyâ€. Not far from the truth as I have recently been told by men they welcome the idea of a woman showing her independence, while being naturally herself and aging the way nature intended. They expressed being attracted to natural beauty versus the done up, tucked and tweaked “can’t smile†girl. I think that people who truly want to find a partner for life are now walking away from the “typical†stereotypes of perfection and are genuinely seeking a person they can laugh, communicate and explore with. Yes, once a taboo: geeky guy getting the cheerleader or a successful “hottie†today I believe we are on to something great. It is not the mainstream, yet!
Comment by MilaB — November 7, 2012 @ 5:42 am
This is a typical Hollywood film, solely based on a mans life, a mans dreams of landing a more attractive woman regardless of his inadequate states to achieve it. The surprising part is society is so highly based on a mans view and their perception that a man and woman would be able to enjoy his film yet if it was switch as the female being the under dog and the male being prince charming it would never be watched by men. This is a clear example that a woman’s beauty is her primary value by far as a man might lack many things including looks but still have some inner value, yet with a women this idea does not exist. Due to the double standard in this patriarchy of a society we live in. The day when a geeky girl gets a guy with out going through enormous transformation or anything to be beautiful, a truly ugly get the guy that a film I would love to see.
Comment by Daniel S — November 10, 2012 @ 11:56 am
I think this is a very eye-opening opinion on movies and pop-culture today. We think that we’ve come so far in the beauty and the beast genre, where the more relate-able everyday goof gets themselves a beauty. But how relate-able are these movies when only the geeky males get the hottie, but the geeky females need to go through a whole Princess Diaries transformation to even get the attention of their man. It supports the negative message that every guy deserves their princess but a girl has to be physically desirable to deserve her prince.
Comment by Tiana R.Q — November 12, 2012 @ 11:13 pm
First I have to say loved the movie,really funny. This article really saids it all, the film is truely a big change from the usual women chanceing after a man routine. For once a movie puts the chanceing after the opposite sex in the male prospective; like the article saids it gives the woman the position of power, strength, desirbility, and education which is somethings movies always gave male roles.From what I’m understanding the article is saying that this movie really off sets in a way the feminist double standard for men and women that you usually see in the media. I loved the movie but to have it broken down they way this article does makes me watch movies in a whole new light including this one.
Comment by Carmel.D- Nov 26,2012 @5:42pm
Comment by Carmel — November 26, 2012 @ 5:44 pm
It seems that the only thing that is “attractive†anymore is the physical. Hollywood has a lot of work to do before we get to gender unbiased. Reading this article I realized that there has been countless times where I’ve seen a movie or tv show where the jock falls for the pretty girl. He never fell for the average looking girl. Nice boobs, firm butt, sexy, skinny, and tall are the high standards with what the media portrays women and beauty is suppose to look like. If you gain a little weight or get some acne on your face, you won’t get a guy (according to the media). But if the men gain a little weight, its cute, he’s manly, and he looks like a bear you wanna cuddle with. All the girls I know always go for the sweet guys, and on the other hand, some guys will go for a girl based on her physical because all he wants is sex.
Comment by Yael K — November 27, 2012 @ 3:55 pm
I agree, it’s always “nerd gets beauty†or some derivative thereof, such as in Superbad and Knocked Up. Some movies like Miss Congeniality require the girl to get a makeover so she looks like a supermodel. Arguably, Sandra Bullock’s character in Miss Congeniality was not happy about being transformed into a model, but clearly the message was that she became more desirable by undergoing the extreme makeover. I guess it’s more or less believable that Sandra Bullock and Benjamin Bratt could hook up, but I don’t think she’d need an extreme makeover for that. It really does reinforce the double standard, that women need to look a certain way to get the guy. That women are not desirable or valued unless they look like models. I read somewhere that the average woman is 5’4†and weighs 140; but the average model is 5’11†and weighs 115. That’s just ridiculous. I heard a comedian once who said that all women think they need an extreme makeover and all guys think they are 3 pushups away from dating a supermodel. That might not be true, but I think it’s the plot line that Hollywood continues to use. And as long as they do so, they perpetuate the myth that many girls and women fall prey to – the endless quest for unattainable, perfect beauty.
Comment by Sofia F — November 27, 2012 @ 6:51 pm
This was a very interesting blog post. Honestly I never thought of it this way. It is true that women are always needing to “dumb down” their power (whether that is being independent or actually acting not as intelligent) to get the guy. This is perpetuated in the movies as well as real life. Why do men have it easy? Why can they basically have nothing going for them in the movies and score the hottest girl? It just goes to show you the problem in our culture today. This double standard is something perpetuated in all kinds of media, and needs to be demolished. Of course it is easier said than done. Through advertising today, women are pushed in the exact opposite direction than recovery from these horrible ideals. We need to be aesthetically pleasing. We need to have the body, the skin, and the vulnerable personality in order to get the guy or even more than that be successful in any way possible. Because this “beauty” is unattainable, it becomes a never ending journey for women today, and therefore I believe we will never be able to break this chain. And this is also why I agree with the professor that “He’s Out of my League” will never be made.
Comment by SydneyO — December 2, 2012 @ 10:26 pm
This article clearly demonstrates how women have this double standard. Men will clearly never go for a woman only based on her personality or her charm. She must be attractive. However, women can seem to fall in love with any man. His looks are not of utmost importance. He may be charming and therefore she will fall for him. Women have these restrictions. They cannot age and they always have to be pretty, thin, and attractive. Unlike men who can score a woman who is a 10 by being ugly, short, and even “missing a neck.†It’s true, throughout most movies or television shows I have seen there has never been a good-looking man who goes out with an ugly girl. However the opposite always seems to be happening in the media. One specific example is in 90210, a TV series, that I watch all the time. Naomi Clark one of the main characters who is hot, sexy, and popular goes out with the nerd of her school, Max Miller. When I first saw this, I was kind of shocked. I never expected NAOMI CLARK to go out with the nerd. It was even funny when she was trying to pursue him, he had told her, “She is not his type.†I think the reason for this is that women don’t have as much of high standards of men because we are not continuously bombarded with how men should look like. Even if a man isn’t the best looking he is still accepted where a woman is not.
Comment by Shaina M — December 3, 2012 @ 4:36 pm
I actually seen the movie “She’s out of my league” it was very good, I believe something like that would happen, its realistic. But if the script was switched between the man and woman it would be very different. Seems like its the women who always gets hurt in the movies, rarely do you see a guy get hurt. Crazy how the entertainment industry is.
Comment by Oliver M — December 3, 2012 @ 11:37 pm
I actually saw “She’s Out Of My League†and really enjoyed it, I liked the cute story that a nerdy guy got this beautiful girl who’s clearly out of his “leagueâ€. But then after reading this article I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie where the nerdy or ugly girls get the hot, popular guy…unless she gets a makeover. Classic example would be Grease and She’s All That. Grease was about Sandra Dee this beautiful,sweet, innocent girl wanting the high school popular guy was a stud. And in the end how did she get him, by becoming a whore. Puffed up hair, cigs, makeup, and skin tight leather outfit, that’s how she got his attention and got him, by whoring up and getting a makeover. And She’s All That was a movie about a popular guy in high school making a bet with his friends to see if he can make the most unattractive girl in high school the prom queen. And he never even took a second look at her until his younger sister came in got rid of her glasses, put on some makeup, styled her hair and gave her a new wardrobe. You should have seen his face, his jaw dropped. I’m a movie fanatic and I think I would know if there was a movie about a girl getting a guy out her “league†and I know there isn’t. and to be honest I’m waiting till there is, and I bet you it’s going to be hell of a story and a movie.
Comment by Mita S. — December 4, 2012 @ 2:27 am
This is very accurate. I cannot recall a movie in which the ugly girl got the hot guy. It just wouldn’t sell in today’s society. Guys and even girls dont want to see ugly girls do well in their lives because it’s not what they are used to. I dont think this will change in the near future either. Even if someone takes a risk and tries it, the movie wont sell. So basically there is no way for this to happen. It’s the double standard that men can be whoever they want to be, but women have to be smart, sexy, and slutty to achieve anything.
Comment by ZaneM — December 4, 2012 @ 2:12 pm
I agree with the article because the fact is there will never be a movie where the girl won’t have to change her appearance in order to get the hot guy. The media will always portray the message that it’s a woman’s job to worry about beauty and not the guy. I believe it’s unfair because a woman shouldn’t be only see as something that’s always suppose to be beautiful. Every woman is more than just a pretty face on screen and off. A man should also be show to have a transformation in his looks to eventually end up with the hot girl because just like the hot guy ends up with a good looking women than the hot woman should also have a good looking man by her side.
Comment by Gisela D — December 4, 2012 @ 5:13 pm
The perfect movie that portrays this scenario is in The Princess Diaries. The main character who becomes the princess of Genovia in the movie was once the geek with puffy hair, glasses, and a nasty style. She had been crushing on the hottest guy at school for the longest time but was never noticed by him until she went through a transformation whilst becoming princess where her glasses came off, her hair went flat straight, and her style and physique upgraded. The difference between the roles of girls and women and the roles of boys and men perfectly shows the double standard women need to live against. It is 10x harder for a female to get a male’s attention instead of the male getting the female’s attention. At the end of the day, it really all has to do with the way the culture has raised its population and causes many problems to people in our every day lives in order to make others like them. Whether it be in a sexual way or not, nobody really pays attention to people who are not attractive.
Comment by Tiffany S. — December 4, 2012 @ 11:06 pm
I’ve never looked at movies from that perspective before. Every day my mind is opened up more and more to look at things from a new and different view. I think that the double standard employed in Hollywood is ridiculous. You’re right, a movie with a woman that is seen as less than beautiful will never snag a really handsome guy because of the double standard within Hollywood. We’re made to believe that men don’t have to worry about their looks, yet women do. All of the subliminal messages we are bombarded with in mainstream media impact us in ways that we aren’t even aware of.
Comment by Matthew H. — December 5, 2012 @ 5:03 am
It’s true that women are never normal geeks. Men always keep the same image and are able to keep the girl. It’s funny how the nerdy girl could never get the guy without a make over but the guy could get the girl in movies. The Hitch thing is so true. Guys have it easy in the industry, a lot easier then how men have it. I don’t there’s going to be a movie in which a geeky nerd gets an amazing guy who’s rich and power full for a while. It could happen one day if people in the industry cared.
Comment by Sean A. — December 5, 2012 @ 3:26 pm
This article nails it! There won’t ever be a “He’s Out of My League” because girls that are not “perfect” don’t have a chance to end up with the good-looking guys (patriarchy/media doesn’t want it to seem like they do). This makes sense because men really care about the looks and they’re not as emotional like girls. Although this might happen in reality but the media gives guys the message that they deserve the pretty girl that better than them. And she will “down grade” but this cant happen to them!!
Comment by Nazli C — December 5, 2012 @ 9:42 pm
This article really got me to realize how for once the woman did have the upper hand over the man, but that was solely based on her appearance. The film portrays complete shallowness in women and belittles them by making it seem that they’re futures are based on their appearance. I would love to see a film where the genders are switched and the nerdy girl gets the hot guy of her dreams WITHOUT having to go through some major beauty makeover for him to notice her for her true self and fall in love.
Comment by Segal M. — December 6, 2012 @ 12:59 am
I find it remarkable that as I read your articles I find myself reexamining my personal experiences with films and television programs from various generations spanning from mine to the early 1920s and although there is a noticeable change in our attitudes regarding romantic relationships and handling human relations, the notions of hierarchy of importance depending on gender really hasn’t changed. The dynamic professor Klein reflects on is prevalent in today’s day and age and even more so painfully unfair. The inability for us to overcome these notions even in the fantastical realm that is film, represents that our own interpretations of rightful, even entertaining, relationships are still narrowly tailored to classical draconian androcentric concepts. Soon I would love to see the dichotomy shift and see the gender binary collapse but for now any step forward must be positively accepted to hope for movement forward.
Comment by Hasunk — December 6, 2012 @ 2:36 am
I did watch “She’s Out of My League” and although the roles were switched and the female character was strong, dominant, hot and successful and the guy was the geek but still got the hot dominant girl, the movie also tried to show that even the hottest girls have imperfections and are not perfect. Yet, her imperfection was having “webbed toes,” (which is something that could be hidden). I believe that the movie still showed that in order to be successful and have power it’s going to be mostly based on your looks. And although the movie tried to portray the hot dominant girl having imperfections, it wasn’t something that was obvious it took more than half the movie to find out what it was which just shows and still contributes to how society is based on beauty and fitting the social norm. I would like to see a real movie where the girl can be a geek and a nerd or even an average woman in society and still get the “hot” guy while both are successful and no one goes through a drastic makeover.
Comment by Shannon Ha — January 21, 2013 @ 10:02 am
Spot on. We see plenty of less attractive guys dating the more attractive girls but never see it the other way around. Society has made it this way. The value of females are in beauty and beauty only while the value of males can be anything from wealth to personality. It actually got me thinking, are males more superficial because they tend to look at the physical traits while females look at someone’s wit, gentleness, energy, and etc? I came to the answer that that may exactly be the case. That is no shot at males in any way, however. Both men and women have been exposed to so much media that proclaims the perfect woman to be physically attractive. Both men and women think this way and that’s why the ugly girl dating the hot guy rarely happens in life and in the film. It doesn’t happen in the film because it’s simply not marketable. Why isn’t it marketable? Because people, both men and women, don’t find watching the story of an ugly girl dating a hot guy as too exciting.
Comment by Jun L. — January 23, 2013 @ 8:18 pm
I think the double standard that exists is complete bullshit and should definitely not exist. A fat, balding, old man like Jack Nicholson is currently dating a hot actress who is FIFTY years younger than him. Meaning his girlfriend is young enough to be his grandchild. However, a fat, balding, old woman would never, ever be able to even be looked at by a hot younger man, or even a hot man who is her age! I am truly disgusted by this double standard that exists. Why is a woman’s appearance all that matters? The worst part about this entire concept is that these rich, old men couldn’t care less if their hot young girlfriends are stupid. Knowledge is not a requirement for a man to be attracted to a woman in our society, unfortunately, all that matters is whether she has a hot body and face.
Comment by Shannon He — January 31, 2013 @ 12:01 pm
It’s weird knowing that this is one of those things that only works one way. No one really thinks about it but it really just doesn’t happen when the roles are reversed and the average girl gets the successful, good-looking guy. It may happen every now and then but its so few and far between that it practically doesn’t even matter. I think if hollywood were to do a film with the roles reversed it would generate so much controversy and negativity because of how different the film would be compared to what hollywood is churning out these days.
Comment by Alireza D. — February 3, 2013 @ 10:43 pm
This article reminded of the movie Ms. Congeniality. That movie was all about Sandra Bullock being this undesired invisible undercover police agent who has to transform herself into a sexy women to get the attention of her male colleagues and to be able to compete in the pageant. I have seen this movie and I agree that it is very refreshing and has a nice twist on what the public is generally used to seeing when we are seeing a “chick flick.†The only thing that still bothers me is that they still sexualized the leading woman in this movie too much. I think it would be nice to see actresses less sexualized even if they are the leading role.
Comment by Sam B. — February 3, 2013 @ 11:31 pm
It is increasingly frustrating to know that a woman has to go the “montage makeover in films in order to get the guy. I clearly remember watching “She’s All That with Freddie Prince Jr. and Rachel Leigh Cook as a young teenager and thinking that her character in the movie, was beautiful and creative just the way she was. I mean the only way she could get the guy was because of dare to by his friends to make her prom queen to make his queen bee ex-girlfriend jealous. Why???? I know the answer to that, because it’s proven and works. Why fix what’s broken. Hi Hollywood, It’s Women speaking can we please come with original roles and characters, with diverse and intricate characters. We are not asking for them to be portrayed as actual beings with thought, because that would be way too much to ask. We know, but maybe you could leave the makeover scene out this one time and see how it goes. Actually, you might not want to portray women in genuine realistic roles but here is a new inventive idea, makeover the guy. Take a risk; it worked for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. You reach an entire audience of chick flick loving women, who come for the eye candy
Comment by Jewel B — February 4, 2013 @ 10:33 pm
Does personality even have an impact anymore? I have never seen a scenario on television where a hunk goes for an average looking girl. The media has such high standards of what a beautiful woman is supposed to look like. Tall, sexy, skinny, flawless skin, toned, and big boobs. Worst part is that even those models on the magazine covers don’t look that good. therefore those standards are unattainable. Moreover, It is true that looks attract a person to another, but where does personality kick in? Some men would go for a hot, but stupid woman rather than an average but intellectual, intelligent one. Why is that? Men want the best of the best. Some men will go for a woman based on her looks entirely. Maybe that is because all he wants is sex.. On the other hand, women go for the sweet, caring, compassionate guys, who will treat her well, and if it happens to be a nerd, she will go for him, as we see in the movies. That’s exactly what double standard is, the hot women would go for the average looking or sometimes the less than average looking smart guy. But the opposite NEVER happens, not even in movies. The only way that would happen in movies is if the ugly women transforms, she takes her glasses off, braces off, she completely changes her wardrobe into a less conservative but more attractive one. That;s the way it has always been and most probably that;s the way it will stay.
Comment by Mariya A — February 5, 2013 @ 12:33 am
Unfortunately, I honestly to not believe that Hollywood would ever make a movie about a “geeky†girl who somehow manages to go out with a handsome and successful man. In pretty much every movie, the girl who is beautiful, popular, and “sexyâ€, is the lucky winner of a guy who is a “godâ€, seen as muscular, the “jockâ€, and obviously drives the nicest car. Men never end up getting ugly girls, the women are always gorgeous models. In addition, there is a continuous double standard between men and women, which I am completely against and dislike. While movies send messages to girls that they have to look a certain way to get a cute guy, it brings down their self-esteem and will think they are never good enough to have that “dream guyâ€.
Comment by Yasmin F — February 5, 2013 @ 2:57 pm
Every time I see movies like this, I get mad. I admit that I also enjoy some of them, but it still angers me that it is the woman who has to change. Maybe at first she starts off “ugly,” but she ends up changing her attitude and her appearance just to get a guy’s attention. What I don’t like about the “ugly” girl is that she is not ugly at all. They just give her a unique hairstyle and big glasses. She also doesn’t tend to wear make up. I don’t like this at all because it lets young girls think they are ugly and feel ugly even though they aren’t ugly at all. This is a reason why so many girls have such low self esteem. It would be great to see a guy truly and fully accept a so called unattractive and ugly girl without her having to change. Sadly, this will most likely never happen.
Comment by Judith S — February 6, 2013 @ 9:51 pm
She’s Out of My League “explores male insecurity, male friendship and a gender change-up that has the female hottie earning more money, holding more power and, obviously, being more attractive than her goofy male love interest†however, the subtext of the film will demonstrate that this friendly synopsis is far from the underlining message of the film; Women are the ultimate possession. Having seen this film, Kirk’s friends state that he does not have a chance of obtaining her because he is only a “5” and Molly is a “10”. Simply stating, Kirk is unattractive and cannot be with Molly because she is not “in his league†and yet, Kirk eventually “gets the girlâ€. This presents a double standard, as unattractive women in movies do not “get with†the attractive guy. However, the double standard existing in this film is not isolated to this form of art, for art is an expression of self and in this case, an expression of society. Therefore, those who state that this double standard is abhorrent are either completely ignorant of the fact that they too judge or that they are lying to themselves. I recognize that we judge because that is how we learn how to categorizes things to better understand them, yet in the case of physical attractiveness this path is not an efficient or sustainable one because that physical attraction will fade with time while attraction based on personality, as relevant to this film, does not. In the case of this film Molly is attracted to Kirk because she appreciates his sweet disposition. This could be due to that fact that other males have taken advantage of their attractiveness and have treated Molly as a second class citizen because they can move on to their next prize while Kirk has never experienced this “reward.†Yet again, this idea takes on the role of women as possessions that can be captured, controlled, and released when men receive what they require. Sure it’s a quirky film with “enjoyable†parts, but it perpetuates the idea that perfection always has to be on either side of the equation.
Comment by Darien a. — March 8, 2013 @ 8:26 pm
I actually agree with this blog. We rarely would see a movie with a geek getting a smoking hot girl, but I personally have seen a typical pretty girl dating a very nice, nerdy, guy. In my opinion, its not all about looks. Personality is a very important trait. Looks are just a bonus. This blog shows a lot of double standard. It seems as though appearance is the key factor to get into a relationship. I will have to disagree with this though. Men these days are looking for hot, fit, and pretty girls rather than smart educated ones. For example, Hugh Heffner is an old man that gets all the pretty, blonde, young, girls. I ask myself why they go for him? Obviously because he has a ton of money and can pay all the expenses for these ladies. Hugh Heffner is old enough to be a grandpa to these young play boy bunnies. It disgusts me how big of gold diggers some females can be. Unfortunately, we live in a society where looks and features are what gets you to date people.
Comment by Jnaziri — April 1, 2013 @ 12:12 pm
What really stood out to me upon reading this article is the idea that women have to fit into society’s ideal of a “beautiful woman”, thin, great hair and clothes to snag ANY guy. Nevermind having to be “hot” to get the attention the Channing Tatum esque man, now you have to look like Kate Upton to get with a Michael Cera look a like! (pardon all the celebrity references, I found it fitting). “Beauty and the Geek”, type movies to me show women that being traditionally attractive is the only way you can ever end up in a loving relationship, and if you’re a nerdy girl with glasses (like myself), you’re going to need to get a makeover even if all you want is to find another geeky mate.
Comment by Jessica P — April 2, 2013 @ 9:30 am
it just shows that power of patriarchy. Men don’t have to fit the ideal beauty standard, the can be loved for there personality, but women are held to such a uptight, harsh and strict standard of how to be and look, in order to feel self worth and importance. There wouldn’t be a ‘Hes out of my league’ because in this system of patriarch men are viewed at the ‘desirable’ and privileged. They dont have to necessarily fit the ideal, they create the ideal. Whereas, if women don’t fit, they are degraded and second class.
Comment by Rita C — May 16, 2013 @ 12:22 pm
I had never really thought about the fact that there are so many movies made about the geeky male working hard to get the hot, supermodel looking female and none with the reverse genders. Whether a women is trying to obtain the geek or the jock, she has to have the look of the ideal beauty image. In movies with the nerdy, unattractive female, she is always made up and “corrected”. We see this in countless movies such as “The Princess Diaries” and “The Breakfast Club.” This double standard does not only remain in the media, but flows into our society, creating an even larger obstacle for women. One cannot control the way they look and it is terrible that appearances play such a larger role in dating situations, rather than the content of a person. If a movie such as the one suggested were made, it would be interesting to see the amount of difference in viewers and appeal.
Comment by Jacklynn M — May 17, 2013 @ 9:28 pm
I find it extremely degrading to women how the media only presents women as powerful if they are ‘sexy’. An extremely intelligent woman who has a PH.D is not seen as powerful whereas a man who is smart is seen as dominant. I like the twist in this movie, where the woman is seen as the dominant figure. However, it is very rare to find a movie or television show in which a woman is dominant over the man. In fact, there is rarely any type of media that presents an ‘ugly’ woman as the controlling/ dominant figure. Males don’t need to change their physical appearance whatsoever in order to be liked because women seem to look at the emotional state of a man rather than physical appearance, whereas men look at a woman’s physical appearance far more than their personality. Overtime, media has greatly influenced the views of our culture and society.
Comment by Jacqueline A. — May 21, 2013 @ 11:50 pm
Wow, I couldn’t agree with this blog anymore. In all movies and actually in reality, many men who are categorized as geeky, nerdy, unattractive, short, bald, overweight, etc. have a complete successul chance with scoring tall flaming hot chicks. Shows like “Beauty and the Geek” and even Disney films like “Beauty and the Beast” (the title says it all) depict this idea. What is so messed up about this, is that you never see this vice versa. Out of all the television programs and movies I’ve watched, i have to say I have never ever come across with an average looking girl and a smoking six-packed “prince”.
Comment by RoxanaGM — May 24, 2013 @ 8:04 am
I actually have faith that Hollywood will one day make a film in which an unattractive female lead wins over the attractive male without undergoing a makeover to “unveil” her femininity/beauty. At the current time, most Hollywood producers are male, and therefore they cater to a largely male audience. There are many woman who wish to make such films, but from my understanding, there are few female producers, and so it is difficult for these kinds of films to get backing. But, I’m hoping that the popularity of films such as Bridesmaids, will demonstrate the presence of a female audience and therefore will lead to more films with “average” looking lead actresses.
Comment by Presley B — May 25, 2013 @ 2:41 pm
I truly praise this article for articulating everything I felt while watching that film. I agree with the article that I did appreciate how the stereotypical “man†was challenged. However, I kept thinking “this would never happen if the roles were reversed!â€. A woman can go for an ugly man, no problem. At the same time, a man could never go for an ugly woman, as that would be unthinkable. Even in daily life, when women are seen in relationships with less attractive men, it isn’t given a second glance. However, if a man is with a less attractive woman, there is constant comments of how he could do better, and that he is out of her league. This double standard is atrocious and continues to make beauty the primary value for women. I felt the main message of this movie, along with numerous others, was that men deserve acceptance and women do not. Men can be unattractive and unsuccessful, but still viable partners, but women cannot. Women have to have the whole package to be desirable. I find this double standard to be insane, and places unrealistic expectations on women. This articles shows how movies, and other forms of media still maintain our patriarchal system, and how men are constantly put head and shoulders above women. I’m still waiting on the day I see a movie where an ugly girl gets the hot guy, without any cliché makeover.
Comment by Kayla K — May 26, 2013 @ 1:42 pm
I do not think that Hollywood would make a movie about a geeky, ugly girl who will get a hot guy. Even though that would be great, media has disappointed us time after time and it is only getting worse. This article makes a really good point about how the only reason the girl in this movie is seen as a “10” is because she’s pretty and sexy. She is not educated or independent, which would be nice to see but of course they don’t portray women like that in movies. Its sad that we only see geeky and ugly boys getting the hot girl. This portrays that only guys are the ones who can get “lucky” even if they don’t have the best of looks. This is a complete double standard and should be critiqued. This actually also reminds me of beauty and the beast, which has a similar concept. I would love to one day see a film about the opposite, but the way the media is going right now, I doubt that will ever happen.
Comment by Ashley K. — May 27, 2013 @ 5:40 pm
This is so true. Hollywood is open to having the geeky guy get the hot girl, but never the other way around. I think that the biggest problem is that these geeky guy gets hot girl movies and TV shows (like the Big Bang Theory) are popular with the American public, as it fits their socially constructed idea of masculinity vs. femininity. Unfortunately, even if Hollywood did start churning out realistic movies, it wouldn’t be as financially successful as movies that fit with society’s sense of reality, and so they would stop making them. It doesn’t help that Hollywood makes these movies (or doesn’t make them), but I think the real problem is the socializing that occurs before little kids can walk.
Comment by Bryan S — May 27, 2013 @ 10:54 pm
Personally I absolutely love this movie because for once a women is shown as a succeful human being who does not dumb her self down to try and get a man. However, I believe this will never happen in real life. It is very common to see women with less attractive men with it being a huge deal. But the moment you see an attractive man with a less attractive, ugly, over wieght, and unsucessful woman it’s unthinkable.
Why? Because of double standards. Why do women have to be attractive, skinny, flawless, sweet and sexy to be desirable but a man can be short, fat, dark, unsucessful and still be seen as cute.The way mass media has socialize us into believeing us women have to be perfect to be considered attractive is sickening.
Comment by Johanna J — July 2, 2013 @ 9:23 am
Personally I absolutely love this movie because for once a women is shown as a successful human being who does not dumb her self down to try and get a man. However, I believe this will never happen in real life. It is very common to see women with less attractive men without it being a huge deal. But the moment you see an attractive man with a less attractive, ugly, over wieght, and unsucessful woman it’s shocking/crazy! Why? Because of double standards!!! Why do women have to be attractive, skinny, flawless, sweet and sexy to be desirable but a man can be short, fat, dark, unsucessful and still be though of as cute.The way mass media has socialized us into believeing US women have to be perfect to be considered attractive is sickening.
Comment by Johanna J — July 2, 2013 @ 9:26 am
That is a very interesting point that hadn’t come to my mind. Since I have lived with two women, my sister and mom, all my life I have seen several of the so-called chic flic movies. After reading this article, it was the first time that I noticed the illusion created by Hollywood. I was aware of the many techniques that Hollywood plays on its audience solely to increase capital. In this case they use capital feminism to attract a bigger female audience by deceiving them and making them think that “women are powerfulâ€. However, in reality that’s not their message. I didn’t realize this until the author suggested to think about a reverse of roles between the men and women in Hollywood movies. Unfortunately, I could not imagine a Hollywood movie being like that because it wouldn’t attract the profitable audience. Hollywood continuous to function as a patriarchal society, and there needs to be a stop to this deceiving of women power solely to attract a female audience.
Comment by Julian G. — July 7, 2013 @ 6:53 pm
Hollywood would never make a move “He’s Out Of My League,” and I emphasize on never. Why? There have been plenty of movies where women are not seen to be well known. For example, in Anita Sarkeesian, “The Bechdel Test for Women in Movies,” she describes the Bechedel Test: ” A simple way to gauge the active presence of female characters in Hollywood films and just how well rounded and complete those roles are.” Then she presents a whole bunch of movies that do not pass the test: The Dark Knight, District 9, Slumdog Millionaire, Terminator Salvation, GI Joe, Shrek, Watchmen, Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Identity, Transformers, Bruno, Hackers, Ghostbusters, The Big Lebowski, Wall-E, Wanted, Ocean’s Twelve, Clerks, Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2 and 3, Austin Powers 1, 2 and 3, Men in Black, Fight Club, The Fifth Element, The Princess Bride, Hellboy 2, Milk, The Wedding Singer, Shawshank Redemption, Reservoir Dogs, Point Break, Quantum of Solace 007, Indiana Jones, Alien 3, Lord of the Rings 1, 2 and 3, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Truman Show, From Dusk till Dawn, Trainspotting, Mission Impossible, Braveheart, Toy Story, Gladiator, X Men, Wolverine, When Harry Met Sally, Back to the Future 1, 2 and 3, Tomb Raider, Pulp Fiction, Interview with the Vampire, Seven, Home Alone, and Up.
If there are that many movies to tell us that women are realized in the movie world, what makes people think that they’ll ever come out with a movie based around a woman?
Comment by NatalieM — July 10, 2013 @ 7:54 pm
I think that media is over rated, they send out messages to boys/men for they women to look a certain way and it makes it harder on us girls to find attracted. Why? Because we think since our body isn’t right or we don’t have the perky breast or nice abs that we will never be able to get nice looking guy. We start blaming ourselves and chances of our self-esteem level drops. It show a major part of patriarchy even though it’s hard to believe, but what caught my eyes the most is seeing guys date girls and they don’t have to fit the “over rated standards†, but when it comes to girls dating boys, men over power and except so much!
Comment by Alexis C — July 24, 2013 @ 7:46 am
It’s pretty funny, I loved this movie! I still do even after reading and taking this article in. I agree wholeheartedly with this article though. I highly doubt we will see a movie about an “unattractive female” and a “man out of her league” in my lifetime. Maybe when I am much, much older. I think it would be interesting though because it is much less common. Why is it less common? Because women are portrayed as sex objects… what would a woman who is unattractive have to give to a man that is “out of her league?” According to patriarchy and our current society, not much. It’s unfortunate, but we watch these movies without even realizing what we’re watching. I wish it would change. I guess we will see.
Comment by Skye J. — July 24, 2013 @ 12:12 pm
Media like this is no surprise! This movie give a pretty good explanation when it comes into the definition of a double standard. Going into full detail people put themselves in the positions of maintaining physical attractiveness and gender. What always catches my attentions when men try so hard to try and get the “hot” girl. Ive never really seen a guy try so hard just to get into a relationship, but as to getting in a women’s pants a man will do anything!
In todays society you will never see a guy chasing a ugly fat women, she is just not the ideal picture for men. This can be described as a double standard.
Comment by JessicaH — July 24, 2013 @ 2:10 pm
The media continues to send out all these messages of what men should look like and that they should act a certain way. It makes women seem like they should look hot and if they don’t then they will never get a guy to be in a relationship with them. Because of this negative message that is being sent out we can see how many girls continue to try to get the body image that they show in the television. This creates low self esteem to many girls into thinking that they are ugly and makes them suffer into becoming those women shown in the television. Why cant society just accept that there are many different people in sizes and color. But not society has to change people to make them look in the way that they want to. This gets me mad because it is not what should be shown.
Comment by Kimberly C — July 24, 2013 @ 3:41 pm
After reading this article, I began to think of all the movies put out by Hollywood in which a geeky looking male figure has somehow managed to win the heart of an incredibly beautiful female character. There are so many of these movies out there and we don’t even think twice about the story. I then began to think about all the movies where a good looking jock somehow ended up with a geeky female character and I realized that almost always, the male character only ended up with her because he was dared to ask her out by some of his friends. Another thing I noticed was that in almost all cases, the male character would convince the geeky girl that she needed a makeover and when that had been completed, she would have guys swooning over her and sometimes fighting for the chance to make her theirs. I don’t think its fair that society thinks its okay for guys to just walk in looking however they please and be able to win over any girl in the room when a girl has to make herself look presentable and sometimes even dumb herself down to win the heart of a guy. This double standard is ridiculous.
Comment by Jasmine P — July 24, 2013 @ 4:23 pm
I’ve seen this movie multiple times and never analyzed it in the way this post does. I didn’t realize how much this movie displays sexism and just how accurately it portrays the society in which I live. Reading this post made me think about myself and the men in my life. I have an idea of what is attractive to me, but I have dated men in the past that were far from what I considered attractive. I do my hair and make-up everyday and do many other things to upkeep my appearance (hair color, nails, etc.). Many of the men I know do not spend that much time, money, or energy maintaining their appearance, nor is it expected of them. Women are practically defined by their appearance, but a man is not. That is why it is so common for a woman who is a “10” to be with a man rated anywhere from a 10 to a 0, but so uncommon to see the opposite occur. I would love to see a movie or show with an attractive man pursue a woman who wasn’t conventionally attractive without her having a makeover… I’m also curious about how people would react to a scenario like that.
Comment by CrystalY — July 24, 2013 @ 5:31 pm
This article is totally right. While there are a number of movies where the unattractive and clumsy guy gets the girl there are no movies where the unattractive girl gets the guy. Instead the girl must go through a transformation which mainly consists of changing her looks. For example, in The Ugly Truth, Katherine Heigl’s character is coached by Gerard Butler’s character to go through a transformation in order to have the attractive, smart, and successful Colin fall in love with her. This transformation includes not only bringing down her hair but also getting extensions because “guys want something to hold onto”. She also changes her wardrobe, wears tighter clothing, and takes off her glasses. However, Kirk does not change his looks, except in one scene in which he shaves with the help of his friend. The theme of the movie instead focuses on him simply needing confidence in order to get the sexy and successful girl. Therefore the media seems to suggest that men simply need confidence to get a girl but a girl must first and foremost have the “it” look, which as the article explains “it” includes “flawless skin, toned abs, thighs, legs and butts, and large breasts that stay perky”. Without the “it” look, it would not matter if the girl has confidence, brains, or success. She is doomed to be alone. Therefore, I do agree. There is definitely a double standard in society and instead of trying to change it, the media reinforces it by constantly repeating the concept until it becomes so embedded in our brains that we no longer see it unless it is pointed out to us by someone or something, like this article.
When I first started reading this article I thought that the director of this movie had taken a route not take by other directors. I thought he had actually presented women as something other than a trophy for men to grab. However, by the end of the article I realized that the director of this movie has just presented women in another way. The women could also be smart and confident in herself but she must still be attractive in order to not stay alone.
Comment by Ronita K — September 21, 2013 @ 7:50 pm
I honestly do not think that this film breaks any kind of gender norms, if anything it continues to push our societies gender binary. The film still hyper sexualize the white female body with the constant reminder through out the film that she is a perfect 10 the film. The film also shows that the only reason the “hot girl” was even interested in the “geeky guy” was because she was bored with the “hot guy”! She wanted to have an emotional connection with a man and again should that women will always be emotional creatures and it also shows that only little awkward, geeky boys are capable of providing that emotional support. The stereotypes of gender and sexuality only go deeper in this film and continue to be more binding. Hollywood will never make a film that doesn’t carry gender stereotypes because it is not in their interest to do so. Maybe it’s time we take down Hollywood and reconstruct it in to a tool that will push our society in to a more positive and open place.
Comment by Natalia T — September 26, 2013 @ 7:21 pm
I have viewed the movie shes out of my league and I enjoyed it very much it was refreshing view of the opposite side of the spectrum where the nerdy guy is able to land the perfect 10. But after reading this I am also wondering why dont they make a film where a geeky girl can get a perfect guy with compromising her appearance or morals. A movie like that would probably not sell unless it is written greatly and even then the concept is pretty far fetched but then again it is Hollywood and certain people might be interested in seeing such a film.
Comment by Andrew O — November 20, 2013 @ 7:17 pm
What is interesting to me is the obsession with physical appearance. We all look for possible partners that fit our ideal mold of perfection, but in most cases we are unsuccessful. In regards to the film being discussed, I believe that women holding power and resembling successful people in film is important. But what I can’t seem to wrap my head around is the consistent sexualization of the female body. Yes, the film breaks gender norms, but there is still a concentration of the body being an object. Also, I don’t believe women holding power in film holds any relevance to the real world. Women should take a stand in reality that believing in false activism on the screen. The obsession with the body in film is quite overwhelming, and there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel. Again, activism starts with the individual, and a little change in film doesn’t mean a change for society.
Comment by Zachary L — November 22, 2013 @ 2:15 pm
I completely agree with this article when it states that Hollywood will never (or not in the near future) produce a movie with the roles reversed. Although this movie in a sense did present something that diverts from the norm of the hot guy gets the hot girl it still brings up other gender stereotypes. Even though the girl shown in this movie is seen as more powerful than the man she still fits the “perfect” mold we have of women. She is a white female, blond hair, perfect body, etc… We have yet to see a movie where a not so attractive girl gets the good looking man. Women always have to be sexualized and in a sense perfect to even come close to getting a man to look at her. There has been countless amounts of movies that show an unattractive girl that of course has to “blossom” into a sexualized image of what she used to be. This concept is seen in movies that range from teenage films like “Princess Diaries” all the way to fils like “The Ugly Truth”. This concept is everywhere!
Comment by Maritza R — November 25, 2013 @ 2:49 pm
I found this interesting!I have seen the movie so many times and time after time I have enjoyed it;so, when I began to read this story I thought it surely would not change my opinion about the movie. Now that I have read it, I have got to admit that was a very compelling argument!It is true, the movie “She’s All That” holds as proof, that when the geek is the girl and the hottie, the man things change completely. The geek does loose the glasses and wears the tight, short red dress. The message is shocking, it is even more suprising that many people also fail to realize the message behind this.
Comment by Bonnie O. — November 25, 2013 @ 6:43 pm
“The ultimate message remains that we must embody the culture’s beauty standard or we will lose value and eventually become invisible (and we’ll definitely remain single).” This statement rings out in almost every girly romantic movie where the geeky girl tries to snag the popular and handsome guy. These movies are almost like step by step directions on how to get a guy. Actually, step by step directions on how to change yourself, pretty yourself up and succumb to the guy’s wants and needs. Even if they aren’t things you value. I’ve told a friend previously that movies She’s All That and Pretty Woman are just Cinderella stories mixed with in with cosmetic advertising elements. So I guess what we are supposed to buy into, other than the product placements of clothes and makeup, is the idea that if we were to just change ourselves completely, wear skimpy clothing and pile on the makeup we will get the guy of our dreams. If the tables are turned in movies we are still shown as the weaker sex for giving into the bad looking, less successful guy because…he makes he makes us laugh. I praise the day when an actual movie comes out that showcases a man with substance falls in love with a woman that won’t suppress her’s to gain him and keep him.
Comment by Serena R. — November 26, 2013 @ 3:20 pm
This really makes the view of masculinity and femininity in our culture more interesting when you think of it this way.I’ve never realized this, but this article is completely true. We always see scenarios where the geek gets the girl, for example the present day show “The Big Bang Theory.†But we have never seen a scenario in which the unattractive girl gets the hot guy. Most women are only noticed when they are seen as beautiful or sexy women, especially in films. However, most women are also trying to look for guys, as for guys, it is easier for them to find their women. In films, girls are only seen if they do a make over which is significantly different and noticeable from her prior looks. It rarely is guys needing to look better because they normally can’t change significantly like women can. It really conveys how much women need to look sexy in order to be seen. Guys don’t need to change at all to be liked because women usually find it somewhere in their hearts to accept a man for who he is and not what he looks like. The film industry really has influenced our culture and society on how women and men should think in the dating world
Comment by Cecilia R — November 26, 2013 @ 3:31 pm
I strongly agree with this article, this really makes the view of masculinity and femininity in our culture more interesting when you think of it this way. I’ve never realized this, but this article is completely true. We always see scenarios where the geek gets the girl, for example the present day show “The Big Bang Theory.†We have never seen a scene planned out in which the unattractive girl gets the hot guy. Most women usually are noticed when they are seen as beautiful or sexy women, especially in films. Most women are also trying to look for guys, as for guys, its easier for them to find their girl of their dreams. In films, girls are only seen if they do a make over in which is significantly different and yet noticeable from her prior looks. It rare when guys needing to look better because they normally can’t change significantly apposed to women. It really conveys how much women need to look sexy in order to be seen. Guys don’t need to change at all to be liked because women usually find it somewhere in their hearts to accept a man for who he is and not what he looks like. The film industry really has influenced our culture and society on how women and men should think in the dating world.
Comment by CeciliaR — November 26, 2013 @ 3:42 pm
This article really caught my eye, because realistically there are very limited movies in which the roles are reversed. I never really noticed that while I would watch these movies because I would never pay attention to that, but now that I think about it all these movies that we see and think are not affecting us in any ways really do affect us because it gives people the wrong believe of what our society really should act like. The only times you would see a geeky girl end up with a hot guy is when she gets a total transformation and become as hot as the guy himself. The sad part about this is in my opinion this is how our society is, it if really hard to find a really good-looking guy with a not so pretty girl. But at times you may find a pretty girl with a geeky guy, that is if he has money. I do not believe it is okay that our society is like this, why is it fair that the guys get to look however they want but if a girl is someone not attractive they will not think twice about her unless there’s something in it for him. After reading this article, I will now be more aware of the stories behind there movies and really examine what the director is trying to point out. Or I may n ot even watch it because I really do not support what they are doing in these movies.
Comment by Nicole R. — December 1, 2013 @ 2:50 pm
I engaged with this article because, as a filmmaker, I am there with you as displeased as the condescension towards the representation of women. Yes, I agree we won’t have a movie where the roles are reversed (well not now) but I feel that it’s just a part of a larger issue. The fascination with the “body image” is exemplified through these rom-coms that have women purely for the sake of a man’s gaze. Whether they change that ugly duckling into a beautiful women or if its a geeky man vying for the love of a “10”, the obsession with looks just perpetuates the depiction of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity. I agree that a film that subverts these notions is appreciated (which “She’s Out of My League” may very well do), it is ultimately still functioning in a system of looks. A film that reverses the roles would be very fascinating but I’d argue that a rom-com that doesn’t focus on image would be much more satisfying to watch.
Comment by Albert A. — December 1, 2013 @ 5:19 pm
This movie proves once more how looks and appeareance play an important role in our lives. It seems to me that Hollywood made this movie as a pass for an avarge guy, saying don’t worry there is a hot chick even for you. Somehow it is ok for somewhat attractive, average guy to have a beautiful girl beside him as a suvenier. Perhaps nice qualities and support are good enough reasons to date such a guy. Unfornutately it is not the same for a girl. It is very rare to see a handsome guy with “an ordinary” girl. Girls and young women are under a lot presuure to keep up with the beauty standards that society set for them. When in Russa I liked to watch a russian version of An Ugly Betty. The main character is not that attractive but sharp as a knife. A guy she is interested in is handsome and does not even notice her until she finally does something about her looks. Then when she is well-groomed, the guy learns that she has nice personality and is fun to be around. I think he would never even spoke to her unless she has done something to better her physical apppearence. It is rare to see a movie where a guy goes through a lot of trouble to physically attract their love interests. May be the last Iron Man movie may qualify for that a little bit. In the movie the evil character portrayed as a smart but unattractive guy that has romantic feelings towards Peltroy’s character. He is rejected due to his physical apperiance and weird behavior. I guess heart broken and revenge driven, he then transforms into something very attractive like the swan in the famous fairytale The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen. If its a female character, therefore, that movie or tv series would focus on her way and methods to get herself to the pefect image, while a male character is focused on something bigger and still achieves a good look as a side job ( The Iron Man example). It is funny how enterinment industry through its advertisments makes a big deal out of looks and creates an illusion of how real woman should look which puts a lot of pressure on them to keep up with the set of beauty standards, while gyus can just skip it and use this time productively. I wish we all stop judging a book by its cover and actually try to learn something first rather than assume it.
Comment by Olga M — December 2, 2013 @ 4:54 am
The whole idea of this film is that it is a comedy! Unexpected things happen in these movies, causing them to be seen as funny. The last time I saw a really attractive female with an ugly male was never. That only works if the guy has money giving the female an incentive in going after them. Because really, girls really want a luxurious lifestyle. This is actually one of my favorite movies because it has both the sense of a ‘romantic comedy’ and it was very interesting. Regardless, a woman actually holds a lot of power in this film. Sure she’s a very pretty girl, but at the same time she makes tons of money which she earns on her own, giving her that amazing apartment, along with her rich lifestyle.
Comment by Ilan G — December 2, 2013 @ 11:13 am
In almost all movies and television shows, men who are imperfect and unattractive can play various roles, but most women are in media because they are attractive and can be displayed as sexual objects. Women are treated in a manner that is not fair because they can only play a few roles. It is true that there won’t be a scenario in movies where the nerdy girl gets to be with the handsome guy, unless the girl has a transformation somewhere through the movie and becomes beautiful, like in the movie, The Princess Diaries. These movies are appealing to men who do not fit the standard of being tall, handsome, and muscular, because they show a situation in which a male who doesn’t have “masculine” qualities can still “acquire” a perfect woman.
Comment by Gabriel P — December 2, 2013 @ 4:49 pm
Our society today has maintained a stereotype of Hollywood in which women are rarely the protagonist/hero of the film. After watching MissRepresentation, it has come to my attention that only 16% of protagonists in Hollywood movies are female. Even in women shows, the lives of the women revolve around the men. If rarely a women plays the protagonist of a film, she is portrayed as a bitchy women who is put in power. Our society has become accustomed to men holding the most power and women always being second. This can be supported with the idea that in our culture, leadership roles tend to be masculine pursuits. Women comprise of only 17% of Congress. I believe that our society should become more accepting in having females with power in both Hollywood and politics.
Comment by Leor M — December 3, 2013 @ 12:15 am
I don’t think Hollywood would ever make a “he’s out of my league†only because it would not emasculate men like “she’s out of my leagueâ€. Think about it, she’s out of my league encourages men dominating other men, and women as well. “She’s out of my league†shows that unless a woman wants to be wanted by males she has to have this made up standard of beauty which is created by the media but contained in our society. Only 1 percent of all women would be able to have the hourglass figure, big boobs, and butt without any computer modifications or surgeries. I think this film gives hope of unlikely expectations and sets up women and men for disappointment. I being a man and seeing this movie can honestly say that I was focusing more on the woman’s beauty rather than her personality
Comment by Jason P — December 3, 2013 @ 1:35 pm
I have only seen the trailer of this movie, however I understand what its trying to portray in the feminism world. In this patriarchal society, males are dominant in every field and even relationship. In reality, attractiveness in both sex matters. You would rarely see an unattractive, unfit male dating an attractive woman, like the one in the movie. It is even more rare to see an attractive male in love with an ordinary or ugly woman, unless she changed her body completely with plastic surgery. The main message is that women are constantly and subconsciously told to have a requirement in order to be recognized as “beautiful” in Hollywood. That is probably why actresses are constantly using botox and other ridiculous procedures to have a gorgeous face and body. Body image is a big deal, and this unfortunately discourages women in the real world since its naturally unachievable. On the other hand, for guys, its obviously a pleasure to see beautiful ladies with perfect faces and bodies.
Comment by Hiro K — December 4, 2013 @ 5:46 pm
I feel that this article is completely accurate with the views of society. We watch movies like She’s Out of My League and become invested in the success of the underdog, the awkward guy, we find him sad and appealing all at the same time and root for his love quest to end successfully. However, with that being said, I feel as if the roles were reversed it would be a painful, awkward, yet slightly amusing movie. Although movies like, She’s All That (1999), have been semi-successful, no movie has been produced where the girl is not transformed to become more appealing. This fact alone shows not only the shallowness of society but the accuracy of how it is in the real world. Growing up under the microscope of modern society has proven to us that the “fairy tale” ending, as it is portrayed in movies, is not in the cards for everyone. It can be a let down to some, however everyone needs to have their own version of a fairy-tale and stop trying to beautify themselves up for the supposed “dream guy”.
Comment by Lindsay Grossman — April 6, 2014 @ 7:22 pm
This is interesting. I had actually made a note of this “set-up” before. I worked in TV commercials in the US and I did observe that a lot of castings called for the “geeky guy types” to be paired with the “hot girl” character. I never thought much more about it beyond noticing it. After reading this though of course I can see that there is a complete double standard and once again girls and women don’t exist for men unless they look a certain way. I realize that there are certain ideals of masculinity that men have to strive for too to be considered desirable but repeatedly women can only be portrayed as relevant if they look “hot!” We are just constantly bombarded in the media with messages about this. Short of lots of plastic surgery, it is unrealistic that most women can ever live up to this unattainable standard. Also. having to put that much focus on the way one looks does little for a person’s true personal growth and development. It is hard for women not to fall into the trap, though, of thinking that that’s what they have to do to be happy, fully accepted and desirable when that is what they repeatedly see. Another point is that when a female character is supposed to be a little “geeky,” then Hollywood will often hire an already “desirable” actress and “dress her down.” For example, Renee Zellweger in “Bridget Jones Diary” or Drew Barrymore in “Never Been Kissed.”
Comment by Lucy T — April 21, 2014 @ 9:46 pm
Like the way this article concluded, I also doubt Hollywood would make a “He’s Out of My League.†For a woman to be successful, she can make money through her intelligence to make her way and marry/live with a rich, successful handsome guy alone, right? Nope, there’s always a beauty that is packaged with success when it comes to a woman marrying a good-looking successful man. Hollywood is too focused on making women look better than they actually do in real life by digitally enhancing their appearances that you can hardly find a main character in a romance movie that isn’t attractive from her looks. Hollywood is too far from that idea right now, and seems to go farther as technology progresses to improve. For a guy, I concede I enjoyed the unrealistic plot and ploy Hollywood made for the hot, sexy, successful woman to pursue a mere nerd looking guy who works at airport security. Alice Eve is no longer out of my league.
Comment by Ariel M — May 19, 2014 @ 11:29 pm
Women are constantly reminded that it is necessary to be “attractive” in order to land the guy. even if he his goofy and “out of her league”. We see this is scenario in many movies and television shows, including The Big Bang Theory, 10 Things I Hate About You, even Titanic and The Notebook come close. A women’s self-worth is not based on male attention–yet the media focuses too much on “getting the guy” as if this is the only important goal in a women’s life. It is a great change in Hollywood to see that the male isn’t only focused on violence, but now it is time to change Hollywood’s perception of a women.
Comment by Vanessa R. — May 29, 2014 @ 12:04 am
I love that this article points this out, because it’s completely true. Take, for example, the popular show The Big Bang Theory. Leonard is short, geeky, and in no way conventionally attractive. He manages to somehow get his neighbor, Penny, to date him. Penny is a gorgeous, charming, easy to get along with aspiring actress that in any form of reality, would never settle for someone like Leonard. The couple has a friend, Amy, who is just as smart and geeky as Leonard. She, however, is portrayed as unattractive, annoying, and awkward. Her clothes are always not only modest, but frumpy-and on that note, the reason she’s always covered up is because the talented actress who plays her refuses to confine to conventional beauty standards by shaving her legs and underarms. Regardless, while Leonard gets to spend his night with the sexy and sensual Penny, his female equivalent, Amy, is paired with Leonard’s room mate, Sheldon, who is less than conventionally attractive, possibly asexual, shows signs of autism, and refuses to even kiss Amy. I would love to see their roles reversed! This is part of what makes “nice guys” feel so entitled to women’s bodies. They’ve been told by every goofy comedy and all of their favorite shows that they could seduce any girl by being persistent and making her fall in love with your personality- it’ll undoubtably lead to her worshiping you, or so these movies teach. This plot is overused and NEEDS to be thrown away. Let’s see nerdy boys getting rejected, and handling it well instead of by persistently stalking their love interest. Let’s see smart, popular, gorgeous girls calling nerd boys out on how disgusting this sort of “if I ask her enough times, she has to say yes!” mentality is. Let’s see nerdy girls in Star Trek shirts and glasses inviting the school jock to her game of Dungeons and Dragons, and him agreeing to come. Hopefully, this old script will die soon, and so will the message it sends.
Comment by Maya K — May 30, 2014 @ 4:17 pm
I honestly doubt that Hollywood would ever consider making a “He’s out of my league” film. Because we live in a patriarchal society and men basically dominate the media, women have always had to step up their game if they want to be with a handsome or successful man. The social norms that exist today, such as the fact that men must be the breadwinner in a relationship and women are meant to be beautiful all the time constrict our freedom to do what we please. Women are seen as “unworthy” matches for men unless they get tanned or workout. Men also have a standard to live by, such as going to the gym and making money but the pressure isn’t as intense as women. In “She’s out of my league”, the guy isn’t a bodybuilder and isn’t a millionaire. He is just a normal guy. It is completely ridiculous that our society functions in a way where one sex must impress the other. I know that some animals do that but are we no better than animals. Humans are praised for their intellect and emotions, yet we regress to animal-like actions. Why can’t we live in a world where our physical appearance comes second to what truly lies within our hearts? The media does a cruel yet efficient job in portraying the fact that women must have physical beauty to capture the heart of any man. Most women in the media have so much makeup on themselves and photo shopped that it is impossible to look like them in real life. We are constantly surrounded by the media so it is very difficult to ignore this aspect of life.
Comment by Arya A — May 31, 2014 @ 2:06 pm
I honestly doubt that Hollywood would ever consider making a “He’s out of my league†film. Because we live in a patriarchal society and men basically dominate the media, women have always had to step up their game if they want to be with a handsome or successful man. The social norms that exist today, such as the fact that men must be the breadwinner in a relationship and women are meant to be beautiful all the time constrict our freedom to do what we please. Women are seen as “unworthy†matches for men unless they get tanned or workout. Men also have a standard to live by, such as going to the gym and making money but the pressure isn’t as intense as women. In “She’s out of my leagueâ€, the guy isn’t a bodybuilder and isn’t a millionaire. He is just a normal guy. It is completely ridiculous that our society functions in a way where one sex must impress the other. I know that some animals do that but are we no better than animals. Humans are praised for their intellect and emotions, yet we regress to animal-like actions. Why can’t we live in a world where our physical appearance comes second to what truly lies within our hearts? The media does a cruel yet efficient job in portraying the fact that women must have physical beauty to capture the heart of any man. Most women in the media have so much makeup on themselves and photo shopped that it is impossible to look like them in real life. We are constantly surrounded by the media so it is very difficult to ignore this aspect of life.
Comment by Arya A — May 31, 2014 @ 2:42 pm
People focus on their flaws when looking in the mirror. They observe their different flaws, even sometimes one or more flaws, and then compare it to what they see in the media. As we know, the media is an agent of socialization. We are all heavily mediated and there are rare times that we are not mediated or “plugged in.†Images that we see now are far more important now in media than ever before. So now, beauty is harder to achieve because of photo shop and apps with filters—even movies are edited. The media delivers messages of images of mainstream beauty for masculinity and femininity. We are subjected to it more and exposed to it more, which means that it is valued more and that it is more unattainable because it is not real. We live in a mediated culture now. And it is constantly more repeated daily now than ever experienced before. The beauty standard was one-dimensional and photo shop makes our perception of beauty distorted. The prominent themes and images that are representing girls and women today show how women are inferior to men. It is very rare to see women that play star roles or even shown as independent, strong characters without the need or desire of a man. When it comes to physical traits, most women in media are white, skinny, young, flawless, and beautiful. I see these representations especially in television, movies, and advertisements (even without speaking, one can see these themes come to light). These representations are entirely inaccurate in representing women as a whole.
Comment by Michelle Omidi — June 1, 2014 @ 9:48 pm
This post is something that I have always thought about. I’m pretty sure that they would never come out with the movie “He’s Out of My League.” I feel like they come out with movies like, “She’s Out of My League” because it influences men to dominate other men and women. The main theme that occurs in this movie is that if a women wants to be wanted by a man she has to fall under certain standards of beauty that society has created. I think it is sad that we have never seen a scene where an unappealing girl gets the guy but we always happen to see the opposite. It’s sad that women only seem to get attention because of their looks and figure. Whatever happened to someone’s personality making them beautiful? This post reminded me of the Princess Diaries where she was always made fun of when she was herself and before she got her makeover. After she got her makeover she was finally asked out by the boy who she liked that never noticed her when she was “unattractive” to him. It’s sad to see that woman are always the first to notice someone for who they are and not by how they look. It sucks that a woman has to live up to certain expectation that men have put out there. I think we can only move forward if the film industry creates empowerment for both genders.
Comment by Jennifer P — June 2, 2014 @ 12:07 pm
Movies have all become the same, beautiful girl with a not so attractive guy and the handsome, popular guy forced to go after nerdy girl who ends up getting a makeover and is suddenly wanted by all the guys. Obviously men are seen dominating the media as always. Showing their ability to win over any girl when they have to put in no effort but the girl has to try so hard to be accepted and approved by the “in” crowd. The story has become so common that we do not take the time to examine how absurd it actually is. It is very rare to see the women being handed what she wants and having not to worry about her flaws or what may set her apart from others. It would be nice to see a change up in the norm here and there but in a patriarchal society such as ours, it is frowned upon to see women with any dominant powers.
Comment by Dorsa Mehrannia — June 2, 2014 @ 11:24 pm
Like most people that commented and like the person who wrote this article, I highly doubt that Hollywood would ever make “He’s Out of my League†into a movie. Hollywood isn’t trying to make films that people wouldn’t really watch and people more or less want to watch entertaining things. I don’t mean to say that this movie would not be entertaining, but I think that people in general would not watch this. Hollywood wont make anything that they don’t think will sell. This movie would actually demonstrate that men dominate not only other men but the women characters as well. Movies like this create an unrealistic standard for women to adhere to. It essentially places women in an unrealistic world and they are seen as ugly or failures if they do not look as good as the women in the movie too. I try not to judge a book by its cover but I often find myself judging girls off of their looks rather than personality and I feel that this movie does that right off the bat. One would hope that we can change the films Hollywood makes and one would hope that they would make influential movies that are good for standards.
Comment by Daniel Nikravesh — June 2, 2014 @ 11:27 pm
I have never seen She’s Out of My League and don’t plan to but I am surprised to see Hollywood making a film where the girl is ranked higher than the male. I think the double standard applies here as well and there is no way in hell Hollywood would make a movie with an ugly girl trying to charm a handsome successful man. Even if they did make such a movie, the girl would surely be given some sort of fashion do over to make her look more appealing. In reality the in you see a good looking gal with a mediocre guy its pretty safe to say its for his financial success and the size of his wallet as the article stated. The idea that being rich and driving a nice car will make up for your looks or other features is hurting our society because it further objectifies women. If men believe that money is all women want then they will se them as nothing more than an object and their property.
Comment by Daniel Y. — June 3, 2014 @ 2:28 am
As I watched this movie a while back, I was thinking, is that really possible? A completely loser guy getting the girl of his dreams? Hollywood loves to fool people into thinking that the things in their films can happen, and we certainly fall for that same crap over and over again. The authors point of view is great when she says if the roles were reversed, can the woman stay the same, or must she be transformed as always? Ugly Betty, a perfect example of someone who must be transformed to get the guy. Woman are always the ones who need to change, or else the story is not worth telling. While it truly does seem impossible for that to happen, a film like this is what the world needs. The female version of Hitch, where girls go after the guy, and don’t really have to change for him. This type of story would change views because of the standard that exists today. If a man is made to look more like the object or property, it would certainly draw criticism, but the same has happened to woman for decades, years, centuries. This does not mean that women need to retaliate this way, but it would definitely add some excitement to Hollywood.
Comment by Kevin Monterroso — July 30, 2014 @ 12:27 pm
I’ve always noticed this in movies. Why can men date women more attractive than they are but women can’t? Is it because men always get what they want or is it because women are trophies to be won. A fat guy can date a skinny girl but a skinny guy would never date a fat women. When they put normal looking girl in movies they always over exaggerated them. There always really crazy looking, they have huge glasses or messed up teeth and bad skin, why can’t we just portray them as they are. Why do women always need to be over sexualized.
Comment by adrianna heads — July 30, 2014 @ 12:53 pm
I have not watch this movie Beauty and Geek but what I understood from reading the article is in order for a women to get a good part in a movie she should be sexy and pretty. It is sad to think that pretty girls get a major role in movies or they’re the only ones who can get good looking men. It is hard to believe a nerdy and smart girl would try to get a rich and good-looking guy. This would have a negative influence in our society. I believe that Women being sexy and pretty should not be the only way to be powerful in life. Personality and intellect must be considered in our society.
Comment by Michael C. Henary — July 30, 2014 @ 6:52 pm