Madame Pandora
Deliciously Aware of Impending Sins
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2000
- Posts
- 1,627
So Gone With The Wind was on not too long ago and yeah…I still watch it…and yeah…I still love it. Afterwards we got to talking about clichés and characters and really, although there are obvious exaggerations, I find that I know women who are like Scarlett and ones who are like Melanie.
One of the tings about GWTW that I have always loved it is that the filmmakers, through all their trials and tribulations, managed to keep intact the nuances of the friendship between Melanie and Scarlett. Yes, on the surface, it is easy to call them caricatures, but they are each very real in their own ways.
Scarlett – I know her ilk well. They are the women who get things done. Who bear bruises for others. Who stand up. They don’t spend a great deal of time scouting for sympathy because they’re too busy weaving in and out of the rules to forge their own path. They are – warts and all – the type of women I most admire and aspire to be. And they are all the more fascinating to know because usually beneath the rawhide shell, there lies the soul of a very warm creature.
Melanie – I know these women, too. The sweet-natured, non-judgmental meek (not to be confused with the hoards of JUDGEMENTAL meek). They always seem to have a tenderness born of tragedy. They ones I’m always saying “Why is it always HER?” about. The ones we are so prone to protect and be jealous of for their casual femininity and unwavering sincerity.
Relationships between women (and, indeed, between all people) are a delicate balance. Love doesn’t stop other emotions. There have been times in my life that I have known negative feelings toward those I hold dear. And, I like that this film has never shied away from that. Love has to include the ugly things, or else it’s untested.
The only thing I’ve ever not liked was that Melanie understood Scarlett so completely, and Scarlett never really understood Melanie until it was too late. IRL, I think the Scarletts and Melanies of the world understand one another a lot better. They are both the top drawer of the female animal and there is a certain, oft unspoken grace in the acceptance of one strong-willed woman by another.
My favorite scene in this movie is not that long climb up the stairs, or that kiss by the fence. It is when Scarlett kills a man in protection of her family, and Melanie is right there - all her tender strength mustered at Scarlett’s side to offer what help she can. Scarlett doesn’t see it…or perhaps it simply doesn’t register at the time, but it is there.
My next favorite is when, despite all else that goes on previously, Melanie walks right up, takes Scarlett by the arm, and forces her company to accept her friend in the scandalous red dress.
Both scenes bring tears to my eyes. THAT is friendship between two women. THAT is understanding and acceptance.
The romance is nice. The history and epic loveliness of the film is lavishly enjoyed.
But it is Scarlett and Melanie I always take away with me. Not Scarlett and Rhett.
Is that twisted, or what?
MP
One of the tings about GWTW that I have always loved it is that the filmmakers, through all their trials and tribulations, managed to keep intact the nuances of the friendship between Melanie and Scarlett. Yes, on the surface, it is easy to call them caricatures, but they are each very real in their own ways.
Scarlett – I know her ilk well. They are the women who get things done. Who bear bruises for others. Who stand up. They don’t spend a great deal of time scouting for sympathy because they’re too busy weaving in and out of the rules to forge their own path. They are – warts and all – the type of women I most admire and aspire to be. And they are all the more fascinating to know because usually beneath the rawhide shell, there lies the soul of a very warm creature.
Melanie – I know these women, too. The sweet-natured, non-judgmental meek (not to be confused with the hoards of JUDGEMENTAL meek). They always seem to have a tenderness born of tragedy. They ones I’m always saying “Why is it always HER?” about. The ones we are so prone to protect and be jealous of for their casual femininity and unwavering sincerity.
Relationships between women (and, indeed, between all people) are a delicate balance. Love doesn’t stop other emotions. There have been times in my life that I have known negative feelings toward those I hold dear. And, I like that this film has never shied away from that. Love has to include the ugly things, or else it’s untested.
The only thing I’ve ever not liked was that Melanie understood Scarlett so completely, and Scarlett never really understood Melanie until it was too late. IRL, I think the Scarletts and Melanies of the world understand one another a lot better. They are both the top drawer of the female animal and there is a certain, oft unspoken grace in the acceptance of one strong-willed woman by another.
My favorite scene in this movie is not that long climb up the stairs, or that kiss by the fence. It is when Scarlett kills a man in protection of her family, and Melanie is right there - all her tender strength mustered at Scarlett’s side to offer what help she can. Scarlett doesn’t see it…or perhaps it simply doesn’t register at the time, but it is there.
My next favorite is when, despite all else that goes on previously, Melanie walks right up, takes Scarlett by the arm, and forces her company to accept her friend in the scandalous red dress.
Both scenes bring tears to my eyes. THAT is friendship between two women. THAT is understanding and acceptance.
The romance is nice. The history and epic loveliness of the film is lavishly enjoyed.
But it is Scarlett and Melanie I always take away with me. Not Scarlett and Rhett.
Is that twisted, or what?
MP
