Running head: Movie Analysis

Movie Analysis Gender Communication: 002 Kristen Durkin April 30, 2013

Tootsie The motion picture industry is a difficult field to succeed within; when challenges arise we turn to extreme measures to be successful no matter the circumstances. Pushing the social norms of the film industry in the 1980s sets a different viewpoint than those of today. In the film Tootsie, Sydney Pollack challenges the acceptance of an abnormal character. Michael Dorsey, or for the majority of the film, Dorothy Michaels is in a slump to raise money for his friend,

Jeff Slaters, independent film (Pollack, 1982). Michael dresses up, exceptionally convincing as a women who could be in their upper sixties. Putting the essentials together, he becomes a cross-dresser for success. As discussed in class and also our text, not all individuals who cross-dress are homosexual or transgender; most individuals are actually heterosexual and enjoy cross-dressing as a hobby (Wood, 2011). Kirk also describes the heterosexual males attitude of hiding their identity through their transsexual is a defense mechanism (Kirk, 2004). In this slump to be hired, Michael decides to audition for a females part when Sandy Lester fails at receiving the role. As Michael succeeds as a woman, complications surface between relationships on set and in his personal life. However, he continues to own the role and shows the world his unique talent and exceptional acting (Pollack, 1982). The development and knowledge of each character as the story builds is interesting to analyze the difference in gender roles and relationships. The connections between the casts through interaction are also interesting to dissect. The first relationship that Id like to discuss is Michael and Sandys. Their relationship takes off after Michael gets casted for the role of Emily on

Tootsie Southwest General. Michael gets caught in a pickle when Sandy walks out and is half naked when he was going to try a dress on. This is where the tables turn; Michaels intentions turn to being strictly about Dorothy at this moment. He is

constantly looking for a way to get back to being Dorothy and only spends a little bit of time being Michael and even less time being friends with Sandy. I view this role very unfavorable. I feel that gender biased plays a role in this relationship. Michael naturally plays the role of a female better than an actual female character, Sandy. One is not born but rather becomes a woman (Caster & Andrew, 2007). In reality, Michael and Sandy are a lot a like. When Michael is in male form, he questions himself just as Sandy does. They both doubt themselves and are frustrated easily. However, as soon as he puts his Dorothy attire on, Michael turns into someone nobody knows, becomes confident, and forgets about is friends back in reality, A second relationship that I found interesting to compare was that of Dorothy and Leslie. This is interesting to see as two male figures. Les is very good with his nonverbal communication to show interest in Dorothy. Being a male and as discussed in our class; males sometimes do no pick up on detail as often as a female would; Michael doesnt pick up on these signals right away. I found it surprising fascinating how Dorothy takes being proposed to while she is in love wit Les' daughter, Julie. I think that Michael and Les are very similar in male terms, they both have determined personalities and when they see something they like, they both have to have it (Pollack, 1982).

Tootsie Julies soft personality changes when she meets Dorothy. She brings out the fire in Julie. The communication that Dorothy offers is that compassionate, strong willed women who stands up for herself and is a positive role model for women. The nonverbal communication that Julie throws out to Dorothy is a little

confusing to the viewer. It is almost as if she knows it is Michael underneath all of the costume. She sometimes stares into his eyes, her constant smile, and need to be around Dorothy throws the emotions through a loophole. This may, be because she has been so lonely and not loved by Ron (Pollack, 1982). Michael sets off the impression that he forgets that he is in character as Dorothy sometimes and lets male characteristics slide. As Dorothy and Julie become closer, Julie shares a lot of her issues with Dorothy. As their relationship continues throughout the film, Dorothy seems to always be with Julie. Julie feels most comfortable, empowering, and confident in herself, her family, and her career when Dorothy is present. The two of them become best friends, Julie shares everything, while Dorothy analyzes (Pollack, 1982). Michael is taking notes inside, he is realizing that he is in love with every aspect of Julie whether it is an imperfection or not. Julie doesnt have to be dolled up in order for her to be with Dorothy; she doesnt even have to have clothes on actually. The comfort level in Michaels lie is too strong. Michael has developed these long chain relationships that have gotten a little messy throughout the film. Sandy and Julies relationship with Michael differs to me rather than compares similarly. Sandy and Michael developed their relationship off of a work relationship. Michael never had any sexual drive

Tootsie towards Sandy. Sandy is too much of a complainer for Michael to be interests in

her. He sees her weaknesses and clearly used them to his own advantage when he saw the opportunity. Michael doesnt see a sexual attraction between himself and Sandy. The only reason it turned sexual was for him to hide his success as Dorothy. Julies relationship with Michael on the other hand started out at love at first sight. He had no intentions of walking on that set and falling in love. Julie and Dorothy are able to bond on a female relationship rather than a male/female relationship. This may seem as a small detail however the communication that females share with other females is unreal. Girls open up more around people who they feel can relate, in this case both of them are successful actresses on, on the same show, and have a friendship on set (Pollack, 1982). Julie sees something in Dorothy that she has always wanted to have, courage, strength, and a clear mindset. Michael shares himself through Dorothy, however when Michael reveals himself Julie is thrown off and cuts herself off because as a female she feels threatened that a male could come into her life and have that type of relationship with her without having sexual contact with her for such a long period of time. When Michael shows his gentleman side and has enough respect to express his feelings towards Julie and her father to show that he is serious about what he wants, Julie. Through these actions and Michaels consistency to come back into Julies life, a relationship is shaping. Julie misses Dorothy and Michael guarantees that he is really Dorothy and that his relationship with her wasnt an act (Pollack, 1982).

Tootsie Tootsie is full of gender issues. Sandy shows her emotions through aggression. She has emotional breakdowns when her plans do not go well and turns to violent and rational behaviors. Dorothy is assertive, she makes changes that she wants and doesnt back down. Julie is nonassertive, she doesnt speak

her mind often and when she does it is because she has Dorothy to back her up. The gender issues I see between these three descriptions are that the female characters are the weak links. They are either crazy or passive. While the heroic male is able to be the perfect woman when he isnt a woman. It sends the message that men are the dominant sex and they are capable of doing anything, even being a woman. Dorothy is called Tootsie because Ron is too much of a Pig to use a proper name and comes up with nicknames for his cast and crew. When Ron Is dating Julie he never addresses her by her name, he only calls her Hunny. To Dorothy and Michael, this is extremely offensive and degrading. Michael shares his feelings towards Jeff and Dorothy shares her feelings to Ron when they are both at Julies apartment. Michael respects women; he thinks women are a piece of art rather than a piece of meat like Ron. Being a considerate and sensitive person to the opposite sex in the first place, sets Michael a little different from most the masculine sexuality. I believe that Tootsie is 100% relevant in todays society. There is a clear gender issue or gender bias not only in Hollywood but also in the world place. Some of the male sex still believes that males have dominance over females. If Tootsie were to be recreated, I would star Tyler Perry as Michael and Dorothy.

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He does a fantastic job as a woman, but I feel like Dustin Hoffman did, he also as a respect for women. Geller expresses in her research, the Tough Chick mentality of films (Geller, 2004), this is exactly what Dorothy and Tyler would bring to the remake. I feel that Tyler would be a perfect aspect to the movie. In this film I would choose Kristen Stewart to role as Sandy Lester. I think Kristen can be dramatic and crazy, which fits perfectly for Sandy. I would cast Emma Stone as Julia Nichols. Emma has a strong willed personality with a little sass. I would choose Will Ferral to be Ron Carlisle, I feel that Will has the personality to act like a hot shot and be offensive. Lastly, I would cast Jack Nicholson as Leslie Nichols. I feel that Jack is a consistent actor who pushes for what he wants and could also be the actor who is looking for something special and to fill the void in his heart that is gone. I enjoyed the film Tootsie, it expressed gender issues that are still blocked from todays society and pushed norms of how far something can go before it becomes strange or out of the usual. The gender issues expressed are not as obvious to the regular eye, however this story line allows you to draw our own opinions.

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Works Cited
Caster, P., & Andrew, A. (2007). Transgender Nation: Crossing Borders and Queering Space in "Transamerica.". English Language Notes , 45 (2), 133-139.

Geller, T. L. (2004). Queering Hollywood's Tough Chick. Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies , 25 (3), 8-34.

Mary, K. (2004). Kind of a Drag: Gender, Race and Ambivalence in "The Birdcage" and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everthing! Julie Newmar" . Journal of Homosexuality , 46 (3), 169-180.

Pollack, S. (Director). (1982). Tootsie [Motion Picture].

Wood. (2011). Gendered lives: Communication, gender, and culture (Vol. 9). Belmont, California: Wadsworth/Cenage Learning.