Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Laura in Logan emerges as the kickass superhero, holding her own in the midst of seasoned older actors.
Trying to fit myself into the crowded Delhi Metro at peak hours, after a long day at work, I received a call from my brother, asking me to watch the recently released Wolverine movie, Logan. Though tired and sleepy, I said yes to the offer for two reasons – one, it was the last movie of Wolverine (so I had heard somewhere) and two, I didn’t want to disappoint my brother, who I thought, wanted to treat his wife and me, seemingly the two most important women in his life, on International Women’s Day. However, I soon came to know that the latter was just my assumption and it was a matter of sheer coincidence!
Coming to my experience with the movie, it disappointed me for the most part, and really gave me a huge headache for the rest of the night. I realized that the idea of watching a Hollywood action and adventure, fiction and fantasy, or drama and science movie, on a weekday-after-work isn’t really that great.
Some spoilers in this post.
I also realize that my ‘X-men IQ’ is really low; however, I was happy that it was better than my sister-in-law’s, who was trying hard to make sense out of the unnecessary, senseless complications that are included in most Hollywood superhero movies. Deciphering some X-men movies, with a lot of future in the past and past in the future, some characters dead and some born, and so many other complications, I feel so lost right now!
Interestingly, while I was reading about this movie, I read a lot of reviews by people who have been a fan of Wolverine, and rave about how well he performed in the last movie of its type, with very little buzz around little Laura’s performance. Laura is Wolverine’s daughter and the lead child actress in the movie. She displays some wonderful leadership traits, and I was blown away to see a girl of her age playing such role so smoothly.
With all due respect to Wolverine, to me, the ‘hero of the movie’ is Laura – the dauntless and reckless Laura. So here we go.
Wolverine doesn’t accept that Laura is a mutant. So he chooses to save Charles rather than her, and leaves her in his rubbish apartment all by herself, on being attacked by a group of 5-10 super armed men. These armed people go inside, hoping to pick up the girl of 12, handily. Laura is watching them entering through the TV-camera, showing no expressions of fear or worries of any sort.
She continues to eat her food, and just gives a very strong, confident look when these men emerge in front of her. But she doesn’t really move – that was the level of her confidence on her ability, on her powers, on her strength.
Scene fades!
The next scene starts with Laura holding the head of one of the military men in her hands and walking out of the apartment like a lioness.
Surprisingly, Laura has no dialogue in the movie except toward the very end when she talks with her dad. The very reason why Laura remains silent is because she has been diligently observing the new world which was different from where she was brought up. She kept herself silent, almost leaving an impression that she was dumb, and spoke only through her actions for most of the movie.
3. Real-time judgement
Wolverine shows Laura a metallic bullet which was responsible for the bad health of all mutants (something from the last series). Laura has never used a bullet before, her steel jaws work well for her. In the very last scene, when Wolverine is attacked by the artificially created Wolverine-replica mutant, Laura uses that metallic bullet in the revolver to shoot the latter’s brain. That scene defines the movie in a way that no other does. Laura has not only made real time judgement on what should be the best way to attack her enemy but also has shown tremendous courage in fighting with an X-man of her father’s age.
Wolverine and the other cast members were at their best, but the child actress has pushed the bar for many actors really high for their upcoming breaks. Hoping to see more movies in a man’s world with women superheroes!
Disclaimer – No offence to people who have been fan of Wolverine or other superheroes!
Become a premium user on Women’s Web and get access to exclusive content for women, plus useful Women’s Web events and resources in your city.
Top image via movie promos
I am an odd bird! read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
Please enter your email address