The Answer is Simple, Mr. Hauer

Dear editor,

Peter Hauer’s concerns with the current state of Hollywood are interesting, and they bring up some heavily debatable topics (which I’m ready to debate). His comments bring up the generalized thoughts of viewers everywhere. One is left to wonder, How could one reader know the thoughts of every viewer of films in America? The simple answer is: they don’t.

Hauer provides no evidence that “most women” see action movies to have fantasies about male heroes. Some women go to the theater to IDENTIFY with these characters. The 2022 Sci-fi action film “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” had a female lead, Michelle Yeoh, and took home seven Oscars. The budget was $14.1 million, and revenue was $141.2 million. Quite a success. The fact that the film relies heavily on female characters and identifying with the female experience is considered one of the reasons it has done so well.

Another film that is toppling the box office is Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” “Barbie” offers intelligent criticism, heartwarming scenes, lots of laughs, and a great story. Pretty much everything you want out of a film. The cherry on top is Margot Robbie’s performance as Barbie, where she turns a doll with no personality into a sympathetic and lovable character who the whole audience can root for by the end of the film. “Barbie” has hit the $1.2 billion milestone and still reigns supreme in the theater. It is now the highest-grossing film from a female director.

When a little girl sees “Wonder Woman,” she may be inspired by a powerful woman on her screen. Men should remember that the world doesn’t revolve around them. When they see a powerful woman it should be a humble reminder that, no, this isn't the middle ages. This is 2023. Men don’t rule the world.

Sincerely,
–Mason Jordan,
Arts and entertainment editor of The Olympian