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Can I talk about #CaptainMarvel now?
Everyone has said most of this already but I want to say it for myself anyway!
I really want to discuss the intersection between it being a movie about a woman &, if you read it a certain way, a gay woman.
Everyone has said most of this already but I want to say it for myself anyway!
I really want to discuss the intersection between it being a movie about a woman &, if you read it a certain way, a gay woman.
There are 2 core themes in the movie that meant a lot to me personally & that I think, for many women/afab people, made us feel seen:
Firstly,
• We do not need to prove ourselves to anyone (but ESPECIALLY men) who try to bait us. WE know our value & our strengths. Period.
Firstly,
• We do not need to prove ourselves to anyone (but ESPECIALLY men) who try to bait us. WE know our value & our strengths. Period.
Secondly,
• Carol is consistently told her humanity should be repressed, whether it be her "annoying" wit/humor or her compassion that is considered a hindrance. She's told she's too emotional & Yon-Rogg basically says "meet me on a level without emotion." +
• Carol is consistently told her humanity should be repressed, whether it be her "annoying" wit/humor or her compassion that is considered a hindrance. She's told she's too emotional & Yon-Rogg basically says "meet me on a level without emotion." +
But that repression–"fighting with one hand tied behind my back"–is directly connected to her power, & what others call weakness is her strength. Carol sets herself free, allows herself to feel, embraces the human side of her, & is thus able to control herself & her powers fully.
It's this latter point in particular that I think is a powerful message in more ways than one.
While it is a valuable lesson applicable to anyone, obviously... it is particularly poignant for women / afab people, & I would say it also has added impact from a queer perspective.
While it is a valuable lesson applicable to anyone, obviously... it is particularly poignant for women / afab people, & I would say it also has added impact from a queer perspective.
As part of attempting to make her repress her emotions, Carol was made to forget who she was. This did not repress her PERSONALITY, but it erased her memories &–crucially–her sense of identity. A linchpin of that identity is, narratively, her love for Maria.
It is through Maria that Carol begins to rediscover herself & regains her truest aspects of individuality that tie to her strength. When Carol forgot who she was, Maria & Monica kept those parts safe for her, & then reminded her of them. She is rebuilt through their love.
Maria reminded Carol of her strengths by essentially saying "this is who you are, these are your defining traits, & it is why I love you," & it is so significant in the story that it is arguably the TURNING POINT of the whole movie.
Much has been said already about the subtext of Carol/Maria being framed as life-partners raising a kid together in the 80s/90s, & in the military besides. & I think, to me, the theme of Carol being repressed is also a very queer thing considering the story's context.
Why?
Why?
Without her memories, Carol kept her humor, intelligence, & general abilities. But she lost her love for Maria & crucially, without that, she was not fully herself. That love is a core part of who she is as a person, & intrinsically tied to her identity.
That is... very gay.
That is... very gay.
I feel it's thematically relatable for many queer people.
The world saying "repress your emotions" is relatable to afab people, but having aspects of your IDENTITY repressed, & not fully being able to be yourself until you understand/embrace all parts of you?
That's queer, baby.
The world saying "repress your emotions" is relatable to afab people, but having aspects of your IDENTITY repressed, & not fully being able to be yourself until you understand/embrace all parts of you?
That's queer, baby.
As @brielarson said about Carol/Maria: “This is the love of the movie; this is the great love. This is the love lost. This is the love found again.”
To me, viewing this movie through a queer lens is not only fun & not a stretch, BUT: it makes its messages even more powerful.
To me, viewing this movie through a queer lens is not only fun & not a stretch, BUT: it makes its messages even more powerful.
So that, amongst other reasons, is why I love it.
Carol & Maria are wives! Thanks for your time!
I've still only seen this movie once, so once I get to rewatch it & get my greedy hands on the DVD, stay tuned for more detailed yelling I'm sure because I'm a hoe for analyzing ʘ‿ʘ
Carol & Maria are wives! Thanks for your time!
I've still only seen this movie once, so once I get to rewatch it & get my greedy hands on the DVD, stay tuned for more detailed yelling I'm sure because I'm a hoe for analyzing ʘ‿ʘ
