Angelina Jolie An Icon To Gay/lesbian Films?

During the rapid transition from silent films to audio enhanced pictures, Hollywood promoted entertainment in films over meaning in films that dealt with dramatic issues. This type of censored filmmaking continued into the late sixties. In reference to gays and lesbians, film studios were prohibited any “sympathetic” depictions of queers. As to avoid displaying any sympathetic portrayals, queer characters were often depicted as isolated, perverted, abnormal individuals. Also, it was not uncommon for queers to be subject to harsh punishment, torture or even death. Studios h

The sex life of Jolie may be considered bizarre. Besides Angelina’s admitted infatuation with death and the macabre, Jolie stance on sexuality is very open and she does not wish to conform to the rules of society. Aside from knife play during sex, Jolie has on many occasions admitted to being bisexual and has no qualms of having a relationship with a woman. Jolie’s openness and directness has shined through in her personal life as well as the queer roles she has played in her films.

Just Jack! The character of Jack is depicted as the total opposite of the boring Will. Jack is portrayed as self-absorbed, witty, and a sex obsessed queen. Although Jack’s character is no more fulfilling then Will’s, audiences react to Jack and his eccentric behavior and stereotyping. The obvious success of Will and Grace and other television shows such as Queer as Folk is their humor and outlandish portrayal of the gay and lesbian community.

Gays and lesbians are one of Hollywood’s most vulnerable stereotypes. Seemingly today in film and television, queers are always good for a laugh or a jib. Stereotyping is used so often for these characters that it is blatantly obvious to audience. With these types of depictions, characterizations of queer characters are often minimal if present at all. For example in Will and Grace, Will is handsome, a successful lawyer, well-mannered and of course well dressed. Although, his character might be perceived as a positive role model for the gay community, Will has a very underdeveloped character devoid of personality or depth. Will is viewed as non-threatening to the audience and American primetime. So, if Will isn’t keeping Will and Grace successful then what is?

An actress, a humanitarian, a mother, a sex symbol, Angelina Jolie is an amazing women with many facets composing her. As discussed before Jolie is a marvelous talent in Hollywood, her personal life is an interest to many people around world. With all this being said, Jolie is undeniably most noted for her beauty, dangerousness and her unbridled sexuality that seems to ebb from every pore of her being. This fact is not lost in her films or the gay and lesbian fan base that adores and admires Jolie.

As stated previously, Foxfire does touch on the issue of lesbianism between Maddy and Legs. Although the film never crosses the line of heterosexuality, there is a strong unspoken sexual tension between Maddy and Legs. With the group tattoo session, the obvious homoerotic relationship between Legs and Maddy and the numerous longing looks between the two girls, the reality of the situation is apparent to even the most oblivious viewer. Sadly however, the issue of lesbianism in never confronted or dwelled upon in this film. Although it is foreseen by all that Angelina’s character Legs is a lesbian.

The film Foxfire is based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates on female empowerment. The film opens up in a high school located in Portland, Oregon. The story begins with a perverse biology teacher played by John Diehl who is tormenting a young female student. Rita played by Jenny Lewis becomes a constant target of the pedophile teacher. Rita seemingly is assigned to detention because of her resistance to dissect a frog. It seems to be known by all that the biology teacher sexually molests girls during this time. Why no one does something about it is unbeknownst to us.

Some topics in this essay:
Angelina Jolie, Production Code, Ellen Grace, Elizabeth Mitchell, Queer Folk, Gia Linda, Gia Carangi, Hackers Jolie's, UNHCR UNHCR, Susanna Kaysen, angelina jolie, gay lesbian, gia carangi, queer characters, queer roles, jolie’s performance, film gia, girl interrupted, gays lesbians, gay lesbian community, character legs, angelina jolie amazing, angelina jolie’s impressive, girl interrupted jolie’s, gay lesbian characters,