Complicated Women summary

The Golden Age of Women in Hollywood

In Complicated Women by Mick LaSalle, we are taken on a captivating journey through the golden age of women in Hollywood. LaSalle beautifully chronicles how, during the pre-Code era, women in American cinema were portrayed as complex, independent, and sexually liberated beings, challenging traditional gender roles.

LaSalle's narrative begins with the inception of the Code, a set of strict censorship guidelines implemented in 1934 to regulate the content of motion pictures. The Code was a reactionary response to the perceived immorality and 'excesses' of films during the pre-Code era, which had depicted women in a more realistic and unbridled manner.

Exploring the Enigmatic Stars

As we delve deeper into Complicated Women, LaSalle introduces us to the enigmatic stars of the time, including Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and Joan Crawford. These actresses, he argues, were the embodiment of the 'complicated woman' on screen, often playing characters that were sexually assertive, fiercely independent, and unapologetically ambitious.

LaSalle particularly focuses on Garbo, the Swedish-born actress who became an iconic figure during the silent era and successfully transitioned into the talkies. Garbo's characters were often strong-willed and mysterious, challenging the traditional female archetypes prevalent in earlier films.

Unraveling the Pre-Code Films

In the middle section of Complicated Women, LaSalle delves into the pre-Code films themselves, analyzing specific movies and their portrayal of women. He highlights how these films, unlike their post-Code counterparts, depicted women as multifaceted individuals with desires, ambitions, and flaws.

One film that LaSalle examines in detail is Red-Headed Woman (1932), starring Jean Harlow. In this movie, Harlow's character is unapologetically sexual and manipulative, unafraid to use her beauty and cunning to climb the social ladder. Such portrayals, LaSalle argues, were only possible during the pre-Code era.

The Impact of the Code

As we approach the latter part of Complicated Women, LaSalle discusses the profound impact of the Code on Hollywood and its portrayal of women. With the implementation of the Code, the once complex and independent female characters were replaced by more traditional, moralistic stereotypes, such as the virtuous wife or the self-sacrificing mother.

LaSalle laments the loss of the pre-Code era, arguing that the Code had a stifling effect on the portrayal of women in cinema, limiting their roles and perpetuating gender stereotypes. He suggests that the disappearance of these complicated female characters from the screen was a significant loss for both cinema and society.

Legacy of the Complicated Women

In the concluding chapters of Complicated Women, LaSalle reflects on the enduring legacy of the 'complicated woman' in Hollywood. He contends that, despite the Code and its constraints, the spirit of these complex female characters continued to influence and inspire future generations of actresses and filmmakers.

In essence, Complicated Women serves as a poignant tribute to the women of the pre-Code era, celebrating their complexity, resilience, and unapologetic independence. LaSalle's work is a compelling exploration of a bygone era in cinema, shedding light on the power and influence of these 'complicated women' both on and off the screen.