Gender Diversity In The Film Bridesmaids

The 2011 film Bridesmaids is a female-dominated romantic comedy that exemplifies all of the themes of Margaret W. Matlin’s textbook titled The Psychology of Women. The movie has commonly been referred to as the female version of The Hangover, which is only the first of many gender stereotypes that this movie represents (Savage, 2011). While it might be considered a stereotypical “chick flick,” this movie is a realistic portrayal of the difficulties that many women face in their adult lives. For instance, these women experience the struggles of romantic relationships, the stress of wedding planning, and the challenges of friendship. It revolves around six women: Lillian, the bride, and her five bridesmaids--two of which spend most of the film

Bridesmaids is extremely lacking in diversity; out of the six main women, only one of them is not white. The text emphasizes that “women of color are both underrepresented and misrepresented by the media” (Matlin, 2012, p. 47). Unfortunately, for a movie that intends to bring women together, it is guilty of forgetting that women of all backgrounds deserve equal representation. Additionally, it is common for lower-class women to be shown in a negative light in the media, if they are represented at all. The text states that “it’s considered acceptable to include low-income women if they are promiscuous or if they come from dysfunctional families” (Matlin, 2012, p. 47). Annie is not only made to be the target of the jokes against single women, but her lack of income is a primary source of humor throughout the film as well. For instance, when the bridesmaids take a plane to Las Vegas, Annie is the only one who cannot afford a first class ticket, so she is seated in coach by herself. Furthermore, when Annie feels as if she has hit rock bottom, she explains to Megan: “I can't get off the couch. I got fired from my job, I got kicked out of my apartment, I can't pay any of my bills, my car is a piece of shit, I don't have any friends” (Apatow, 2011). Like many women in the media, Annie is shown in an unfavorable way because of her lower-class status, and she is left feeling sorry for herself until Megan helps pick her up off her