Chloe Moretz as Hit Girl
Having just seen Kick-Ass, a movie about superheroes, which features a foul mouthed, violent adolescent girl, I thought about some representations of girls in movies and how a controversial character like Hit Girl could become a new cultural icon as well as a heroine for many.
Hit Girl is eleven years old, swears like she has forgotten how to use other nouns and verbs, and can lop a man’s leg off without flinching. But she is also brave, strong, resourceful, funny, loves her dad and likes going bowling. An unfortunate product of her dad’s upbringing, she is sweet as well as deadly. Understandably the film will court controversy because of her and, of course no parent would want their own child to emulate any of her actions, but she is incredibly compelling to watch.
It’s interesting how girls are represented on the big screen. I loved watching Vada in the My Girl films. She was brave and headstrong but she saw a friend die. I don’t think Hannah Montana or any of the High School Musical kids would ever have to go through the emotional hardships she (and us watching) did. I just wonder at the influence of some movies aimed at girls now. If, for example, Hannah Montana’s only problem is that she can’t find the right clothes to wear, how does this influence her girl viewers and their priorities? Watching Vada lose a friend told us that life can be hard, people go away but you should enjoy your time with people and live your life. Watching Hit Girl on screen made me hope for more interesting representations of girls in movies.
– Julie Anne Young
Junior Girl
Girl Museum

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