Why leading lady films have died
The 2000s were the peak for female-driven films
Art by Rachel De Freitas
The early 2000s offered a variety of films featuring strong, young women at the centre. These women often experienced their first love, but also faced issues within their friendships and family circle, inevitably overcoming those struggles by the end of the film.
Whether it was unrequited love, nasty stepsisters, or a difficult career that came in their way, these female characters would show young girls that no matter what, you have to stay true to yourself. So, why is it that in a time where we need empowering female films more than ever, the genre has completely died?
When I watch a feel-good film, I tend to pick the ones that are at least 15 years old because I don’t find newer films rewatchable. This is a reason why these types of films aren’t made anymore, and why we are still drawn to the old ones years later.
Streaming services have made it more difficult for actresses to be considered the ‘it girl.’ My favourite actress from the early 2000s is Anne Hathaway. She was different from the other ‘it girls’ of that time like Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff, and Amanda Bynes because she was classy and confident, yet awkward and funny, showing 8-year-old me it was normal to feel vulnerable and not good enough at times.
The Princess Diaries and Ella Enchanted were two of my favourite films growing up, mainly because Hathaway was the star, but also because they featured quirky and unique young women. They also surrounded themselves with people who liked them for who they were and never changed for a guy or their family.
It also seems like studios nowadays have run out of original story ideas and would rather invest in remakes of classic films or put all their energy into superhero films. The early 2000s was the start of the superhero craze, but now these films have taken over the box office, leaving less resources to make more divergent films.
Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon, was one of the most successful films of 2001, grossing almost $142 million worldwide. The Devil Wears Prada, which had a female dominated cast featuring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt was one of the most successful films of 2006. Both movies were great achievements for empowering female films and completely skyrocketed Witherspoon’s and Hathaway’s careers. Yet now, studios have backtracked and would rather make a billion dollars off of a superhero film than produce one with a woman at the centre.
Our social climate has also changed drastically in the past decade. Films in today’s world tend to check off all the boxes to make sure everything is politically and socially correct. Although this has its positives, sometimes these films can come across as contrived because they put too much emphasis on how people will react to it rather than interesting storylines and fully developed characters.
She’s the Man, starring Amanda Bynes, is an example of a film that would not be made today due to the fact that Bynes pretends to be a teenage boy in order to continue playing soccer.
He’s Just Not That Into You follows a woman who reads way too much into male attention which causes her to not pick up on the fact that they are, as the movie title suggests, just not that into her. This movie can come across as harsh to single women trying to meet the love of their life, but it’s honest and relatable since rejection is a universal experience. Movies today shy away from these touchy topics even though they can help women feel less alone when putting themselves out there.
It doesn’t seem like Hollywood will be bringing back these sleepover and comfort films anytime soon. So for now, sit back and enjoy some of the classics I have mentioned available on Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime.
