For the year 2021, I have set a goal to watch #52FilmsByWomen. I found 2020 to be an exceptionally incredible year for women filmmakers, amid the crazy global pandemic their films were often pushed to the front of the line without big theater blockbusters taking all the limelight. I will watch one film per week made by a woman, all films I have never seen before, both old and a few fairly recent releases sprinkled in, as well. I look forward to expanding my knowledge of women filmmakers and their work and hopefully bring a new light and following to a severely under-appreciated part of cinema.
Superhero films? They are just not my thing. I really don’t know any of the connections in the different universes, and I often don’t seek out this genre of film. However, every time I find myself watching a superhero film, for whatever reason, I have a really enjoyable experience. Margot Robbie is one of my favorite working actresses today–she has so much range in the characters she plays and I always look forward to seeing her films. Of course, Birds of Prey was on my radar but I really didn’t make it a priority to see it while it was in theaters. I now realize how much fun this would have been to see this on the big screen.
Birds of Prey is about a lot more than being a colorful, fun action film–and it is a lot of that, too. This story is themed around sisterhood, identity, and finding independence. As someone, again, who knows nothing about superhero character’s back stories, I appreciated the narrative’s brief explanation about Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), who she is, and how she became who she is. The discovery that Harley Quinn is attempting to recover from a break-up with none other than the famous Joker, who she refers to as “Mister J”. Harley admits in this montage that she completely lost herself when she was with her ex, not unrelatable for many women who find that they transform who they are to meet the demands and desires of a man who cannot love them the way they deserve to be loved. Harley’s violent outbursts are almost cathartic to watch, and she continues to be referred to as “Joker’s girl” throughout the entirety of the film. She realizes, though, that she should use this to her advantage: when she is the “Joker’s girl” she can pretty much get away with whatever she wants. Quickly, though, Harley realizes she needs to separate herself from the Joker and become her own, independent woman. Her grand gesture of blowing up the chemical plant where her and Joker’s love began.
Cathay Yan’s direction and style remain badass while still feminine, fun, extremely colorful and flashy. The costumes and set design are utterly perfect. The nonlinear story perfectly weaves together multiple women who should have it out for each other–and all they do at some point, until they unify to protect each other and beat the man. Dinah Lance “Black Canary” (Jurnee Smollett) looks out for Harley when she was vulnerably drunk and could have been kidnapped, although they are not really friends. Detective Renee Montoya is investigating a multiple person murder at a restaurant, and looking for help from Dinah, when she contacts her about Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) a child pick-pocketer who has stolen and swallowed a valuable diamond that criminal Roman (Ewan McGregor), Dinah’s boss and Harley’s soon-to-be killer if she does not recover the diamond from Cain. Harley cannot help but find herself with a soft spot for Cain once she captures her, and the two develop a connection. Then we are introduced to Helena Bertinelli, the “Huntress” (not the crossbow killer!) who seeks revenge on the people who killed her family when she was a child. This odd group of women find themselves as the perfect five to bring down Roman.
Robbie’s comedic timing is perfect–she is funny and recklessly crazy, but, like, in the best way. Her accent is more lovable than annoying, and you rooting for her triumph never sways. The other women that make up the birds of prey, Dinah, Montoya, and Huntress, embody their roles to round out the crew, using their strengths to contribute to defeat. Harley Quinn has not only found her new independence, but she has also formed unexpected friendships with these women in a town full of people who hate her and want to bring her down. This is the new ultimate go-to girl’s night sleepover film.
