Mr. and Mrs. Smith

As many of you have seen, Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a comedy, action, and romance movie. It is about a married couple, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, both of whom are secret spies unbeknownst to each other. They are in marriage counseling to try and salvage their marriage when they find out they have been training to be each others assassin. This movie brings up many different and interesting points throughout the movie. However, one major concept that I would like to discuss is the issue of gender.

Gender has been discussed throughout our class and found time and time again throughout the history of popular culture in America. We can discuss the factor of women not even playing their part in a film. We can discuss the role women now play in certain films. However, what i would really like to concentrate on is the role reversals and expectations we assume for our main characters.

Take Brad Pitt. Sexy, funny, dangerous, he's a spy, carries heavy machinery, yet extremely vulnerable. He has been in the top 50 sexiest men alive in People's magazine for how many years, he is just too good. Yet, in this gender complex movie, he assumes the weak, vulnerable role. Neither can manage to come up with the big kill when it counts. Both face each other many times throughout the movie, once of course they know their mission is to kill the other one. However, neither can commit the crime. Why?

Does Angelina all of a sudden take to heart that this is her husband of 5-6 years (he's not so sure)? She is a woman after all...she does let her emotions get the best of her right? And Brad, he cant kill her because how would it look to kill your wife? But shouldn't he be all macho and be able to pull the trigger?

Well, yes Angelina does get a tear drop falling down her face, but Brad does too...he actually might even be more emotional than his 'wife.' He puts his emotions on the table much quicker than Jolie would.

According to Perry, we are always dealing with the feminist potential versus objectifying the female. I think Jolie is very much dealing with the balance of trying to maintain the female working mindset versus still holding on to the sexiness and apeal of being a very attractive and seductive woman. Even on the job as a spy she dresses very seductively. What is noble in regards to gender in this film, is how equal Simon Kinberg, the writer, and Director Doug Liman made the two partners. In the final gun scene they both take advantage of having each other to work with. Jane is portrayed as a strong, intelligent, and capable character, who can equally pull her weight in this marriage and work life.

Another part of the movie that plays very strongly on the role of gender is towards the end of the movie when Jolie and Pitt are working together. He hands her a gun and she responds with, "why do I get the girly gun?" What shocks the viewers even more, is how noble of a man Pitt is when he then proceeds to exchange guns and takes the more feminine gun.

Especially in today's day and age where feminism and equality are major issues, Perry really makes us think about the objectification of women versus the potential women really do have. And what's even more striking is how a masculine presentation can be somewhat dangerous to a woman if done in the wrong way.