Hegemony in Romantic Comedies: The Political Woman in Long Shot

5.9 Hegemony in Romantic Comedies: The Political Woman in Long Shot

The romantic comedy "Long Shot" shows that women in politics succeed only when they follow gender norms. The film challenges dominant ideology but fails to challenge political representations of women. Fictional storylines like "Long Shot," shape the public's views. These narratives focus on women's beauty and personal lives rather than their qualifications, reducing their political credibility. Hegemonic ideology shapes our social perspective, sustaining the status quo and gender inequity.

Exposing Gender Norms in Long Shot

The article discusses how successful women in modern romantic comedies are frequently seen sticking to hyper-feminine, non-threatening personas and putting their work ahead of romance. It draws attention to the ways in which these stories limit the revolutionary potential of the story and uphold traditional gender standards. Using the movie "Long Shot" as an example, it makes the case that while the movie at first questions the prevailing viewpoint on sexism in politics, in the end, it upholds hegemonic gender norms. The protagonist, Charlotte Field, is portrayed as competent but ultimately conforms to societal expectations, reinforcing the idea that women must adhere to these norms to succeed in politics.

The Importance of Appearance

The article explores the role that appearance plays in upholding gender norms, concentrating on how women are portrayed in politics. It emphasizes how Charlotte Field, the main character, closely follows social norms around beauty, suggesting that looks are more important than skills to succeed in life. Field eventually proves the value of beauty by her actions, even in the face of occasional challenges to this norm in the movie, such as criticisms of the media's preference for appearance over quality. The movie demonstrates how women in the spotlight are expected to put appearances before fundamental basic needs, even when it comes to everyday activities like eating. This supports the notion that, in spite of the movie's attempts to criticize hegemonic norms, women in politics must adhere to them in order to achieve.

Focus on Political Women’s Emotional Expression

It also analyzes how women's emotional expression is portrayed in the movie "Long Shot," emphasizing how social standards need women to find a balance between showing emotion and staying professional. While Charlotte Field acknowledges these preconceptions, the movie eventually promotes them by having her conform to gendered norms. It demonstrates how women in positions of leadership deal with a double standard of femininity and are frequently evaluated on their character rather than their achievements. Although Field is portrayed in the movie as emotionally strong, which challenges some gender standards, it ultimately falls short of completely subverting them. However, by showing Field as able to maintain calm under pressure, it does challenge the idea that women lack mental and emotional power.