THECinema has often told stories of women who change their lives (or careers) in films that go from comedy to biopic, up to more intimate stories and personal. Here are the most beautiful and significant titles who have explored the topic with protagonists who remained in the collective imagination, from Erin Brockovich to Bridget Jones.
Films about women who change their lives and careers
Among the most beautiful films who have spoken of the desire to change their life or career, there are certainly some some inspired by real figures. As Erin Brockovich – Strong as the truth by Steven Soderbergh, where an unemployed single mother (Julia Roberts) becomes a combative activist capable of opposing a powerful multinational.
Also unforgettable are the three brilliant African-American mathematicians of The right to countwho manage to overcome gender and racial discrimination to contribute to one of the most important scientific enterprises of the twentieth century. Or the conquest of space. Other films instead deal with a more intimate and personal change. This is the case of Yentldirected by and starring Barbra Streisandwho challenges the traditions of their community in order to study and affirm their freedom.
Among the most intense protagonists there is also Ada (Holly Hunter) by Piano lessonswho struggles to give voice to their desires in a society that would like to relegate her to silence. Fern (Frances McDormand), however, star of Nomadlandchooses to reinvent himself after a painful lossfinding a new form of belonging on the street.
Frances McDormand in “Nomadland”. (Disney+)
Comedy also offered interesting stories of female “transformation”. Like the Bridget Jones saga who faces, with irony, his own insecurities in search of a balance between love, work and personal fulfillment.
More recent, however, are the reflections proposed by Barbie And Don’t Worry Darlingfilms that use very different languages to question the role of women, gender stereotypes and the possibility of choosing independently who to be. Stories distant in time and space, but united by a common message: change can be difficult and even painfulbut it often represents the first step towards the conquest of one’s freedom.
The film directed by Steven Soderbergh is inspired by true story of activist Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts): unemployed single mother which, thanks to determination and courage, turns into a heroine against a powerful company accused of environmental contamination. Mixing civil commitment and entertainment, the film offers Roberts one of the most important and intense roles of her career. Such a powerful and visceral performance to give her winning the Oscar for Best Leading Actress in 2001.
Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
Psychological thriller directed by Olivia Wilde, Don’t worry darlings mixes mystery, social criticism and tension emotional. The protagonist is Alice (Florence Pugh), a young woman who lives in a seemingly perfect community in the 1950s. When some cracks begin to emerge beneath the idyllic surface, the protagonist finds herself… question the reality that surrounds her and the role that has been imposed on her. Mixing suspense, refined aesthetics and reflections on control and female emancipation, Don’t Worry Darling offers to Florence Pugh one of the most intense and magnetic performances of his career.
The right to count (2016)
Directed by Theodore Melfi, is iexpired at true story of three brilliant African-American mathematicians who, in the years of racial segregation, contributed decisively to the successes of the space race American. Through the events of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) And Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), The right to count highlights the talent, determination and courage of women capable of breaking down social and cultural barriers in a context dominated by discrimination and prejudice. Mixing historical rigor and emotion, the film celebrates the value of knowledge, inclusion and perseveranceoffering intense and deeply human portraits of its protagonists.
Barbie (2023)
Directed by Greta Gerwig, Barbie addresses issues such as gender stereotypes and self-determination and the search for oneself with irony and intelligence. The protagonist is the doll of the same name (Margot Robbie), That lives a seemingly perfect existence in Barbieland. When she begins to question the meaning of her life, Barbie embarks on a journey into the real world with Ken (Ryan Gosling), discovering the complexities of contemporary society and questioning the ideas that have always defined its identity. A brilliant and surprising film which, behind the pop and colorful aesthetics, offers a profound reflection on the role of women and the freedom to choose who to be.
Yentl (1983)
Directed and starring Barbra Streisand, Yentl is based on a story by Isaac Bashevis Singer and tells the story of Yentl (Barbra Streisand), a young Eastern European Jew who challenges rigid conventions of their time in order to pursue the desire to study the sacred texts, a privilege reserved for men. Arriving, after the death of his father to dress up as a boy and take on a new identityundertaking a training path that will lead her to deal with questions of freedomidentity and self-determination.
A Merry Widow…But Not Too Merry (1988)
Jonathan Demme directs Michelle Pfeiffer as Angela de Marco, widow of a crime boss who dreams of leaving behind a scarred existence from compromises and dangerous relationships. Determined to build a new life, the woman However, she finds herself at the center of attention both from criminals linked to her husband’s past and from federal agent Mike Downey (Matthew Modine)responsible for supervising it. Between comedy, romance and crime atmospheres, the film delivers a brilliant portrait of a protagonist determined to regain her independence.
Sliding Doors (1998)
Inspired by the movie Veronica’s double life by Krzysztof Kieślowski, Sliding Doors stars Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow)girl who works in public relations. After being fired, she hurriedly heads to the subway and when a little girl appears before her, her life is divided into two parallel temporal dimensions. Film that reflects on chance and destiny, Sliding Doors has become a small cult thanks to a compelling screenplay and well thought out. The main song of the film is also cult, Turn Back Timecomposed by Aquathe Eurodance dance band famous for Barbie Girl.
Nomadland (2020)
Winner of the Golden Lion in Venice 2020, Nomadland And directed by Chloé Zhao e tells the story of Fern (Frances McDormand), a woman whoafter losing his job and his home following the economic crisis, decides to embark on a nomadic life crossing the American West in his van. Along the journey, the protagonist meets a community of people who live on the margins of traditional society, sharing experiences and difficulties and new forms of solidarity. An intense and contemplative work that it also won the Oscar for Best Film and Best Actress.
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
First chapter of the famous romantic sagathe film has as its protagonist Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger), a single woman in her thirties who decides to take control of her life writing down dreams, insecurities and good intentions in a personal diary. Between romantic unexpected events, hilarious gaffes and the difficult balance between career and private lifehe finds himself torn between the charms of her charming boss Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and Mark Darcy’s apparent stiffness (Colin Firth). Brilliant and never superficial, the film was transformative Bridget Jones in one of the most iconic female figures of contemporary cinema.
Piano Lessons (1993)
Winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and three OscarsPiano Lessons by Jane Campion tells the story of Ada (Holly Hunter), a mute woman who, together with her daughter Flora (Anna Paquin), moves to 19th-century New Zealand to marry a man she has never met. Deprived of her beloved pianothe only means through which he is able to express his emotions, Ada embarks on an intense and complex relationship with the wild George Baines (Harvey Keitel), which will end up questioning social conventions and his own destiny.
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