Billy Wilder can certainly considered to be one of Hollywood’s best known film directors. Many of his movies such as Sunset Boulevard and Some Like It Hot have gained international popularity up until today. The comedy being of interest to this term paper, The Fortune Cookie, however, is one of Wilder’s less famous productions. Still, it was nominated for the Screenplay Academy Award which it did not win.
On the following pages, I am particularly going to discuss the role of women in the movie. Therefore, the focus will lie on the individual female characters appearing as well as the ways in which they are presented. Since The Fortune Cookie is a comedy, some comical aspects in relation to women within the picture are going to be looked at. Finally, the air of females and their contribution regarding plot promotion will also be taken into consideration.
The paper’s structure is dominated by three main parts. In the first section, general background information such as a short synopsis, a description of non-female figures et cetera will be provided. The subsequent paragraph deals with the women staged in the motion picture describing their development as well as their significance to the story. For better understanding, some screenshots featuring women in typical situations during the film are added. Ultimately, the last main chapter gives a possible interpretation of the aforesaid information and also tries to analyze the progress of the plot in relation to the film’s female characters.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. General Approach
- A. Plot Summary
- B. The Film's Structure
- C. Male Characters
- D. Women's Legal Status
- II. Female characters in "The Fortune Cookie"
- A. Hinkle's Mother, Sister and Niece
- B. The Nurses
- C. Sandy Hinkle
- D. Other Women
- III. The function of femininity in the movie
- A. Comical Aspects
- B. Impact on the Plot
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the role of women in Billy Wilder's "The Fortune Cookie," focusing on the portrayal of individual female characters and their comedic function within the narrative. The analysis will also explore how these female characters contribute to the overall plot progression.
- The portrayal of women in a 1960s Hollywood comedy.
- The comedic function of female characters.
- The impact of female characters on the plot's development.
- The reflection of women's legal status in the 1960s.
- The contrast between male and female characters in the film.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. GENERAL APPROACH: This introductory section lays the groundwork for the analysis. It begins with a plot summary of "The Fortune Cookie," outlining the central conflict driven by Harry Hinkle's faked injury and his brother-in-law's scheme to sue for a large sum of money. The section then discusses the film's episodic structure, highlighting its sixteen distinct chapters, each with its own unique title and accompanying music. The significance of the male characters is also addressed, emphasizing their role as counterparts to the female characters in the narrative. Finally, the chapter considers the socio-legal context of the film, briefly examining the legal status of women in the United States during the 1960s, which provides a backdrop to understanding the female characters' roles and limitations within the story.
II. FEMALE CHARACTERS IN "THE FORTUNE COOKIE": This section delves into the individual female characters presented in the film. It analyzes their actions, motivations, and significance to the plot. While specific details about each character are not provided here, the chapter explores the diverse range of female roles – from Hinkle's family members to nurses and other women who interact with the main characters. The chapter likely examines how each character's portrayal contributes to the overall themes of the film and offers commentary on the representation of women in the context of the film’s comedic style. The analysis probably integrates relevant scenes and dialogue to support its claims about the individual female characters and their roles in the movie.
III. THE FUNCTION OF FEMININITY IN THE MOVIE: This final analytical section explores the overarching role of femininity in "The Fortune Cookie." It examines the comedic aspects associated with female characters and how these contribute to the film's humor and overall message. Crucially, it addresses the impact of female characters on the plot’s movement and resolution, analyzing whether they merely serve as supporting roles or actively shape the course of events. The analysis likely draws connections between the comedic portrayal and the societal context of the 1960s, providing insights into how gender dynamics are reflected in the film’s narrative and comedic style. The chapter probably synthesizes the observations from the previous sections, building a cohesive interpretation of the significance of femininity within the movie's narrative framework.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Billy Wilder, The Fortune Cookie, women's roles in film, 1960s Hollywood, comedy, gender roles, female characters, plot analysis, comedic function, legal status of women, societal context.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Women's Roles in Billy Wilder's "The Fortune Cookie"
What is the overall focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the portrayal of women in Billy Wilder's "The Fortune Cookie," examining individual female characters, their comedic functions, and their contributions to the plot's progression. It explores how these roles reflect the socio-legal context of women in 1960s America.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the portrayal of women in 1960s Hollywood comedy, the comedic function of female characters, their impact on plot development, the reflection of women's legal status in the 1960s, and the contrast between male and female characters.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into three main sections: A general approach providing a plot summary, discussion of the film's structure, and an overview of male and female characters and their legal context; an in-depth examination of individual female characters in the film; and a concluding section analyzing the overall function of femininity within the film's narrative, its comedic aspects, and its impact on the plot.
What aspects of the female characters are examined?
The analysis examines the actions, motivations, and significance of individual female characters, including Hinkle's family members, nurses, and other women interacting with the main characters. It considers how their portrayals contribute to the film's overall themes and comedic style.
How does the analysis consider the comedic aspect of the film?
The analysis explores the comedic aspects associated with the female characters and how these contribute to the film's humor and overall message. It investigates whether their roles are merely supportive or actively shape the plot's course.
What is the socio-historical context considered in the analysis?
The analysis considers the socio-legal context of women in the 1960s United States, providing a framework for understanding the limitations and roles of female characters within the story. This context informs the interpretation of both comedic portrayals and gender dynamics within the narrative.
What is included in the "General Approach" section?
This section provides a plot summary of "The Fortune Cookie," discusses the film's episodic structure (16 chapters), analyzes the significance of male characters, and examines the legal status of women in the 1960s as a backdrop to understanding the female characters’ roles.
What does the section on "Female Characters in 'The Fortune Cookie'" cover?
This section delves into the individual female characters, analyzing their actions, motivations, and their significance to the plot. It explores the diverse range of female roles presented in the film and how each contributes to the overall themes.
What is the focus of the section on "The Function of Femininity in the Movie"?
This section examines the overarching role of femininity in the film, focusing on the comedic aspects associated with female characters and their impact on the plot's movement and resolution. It connects the comedic portrayal to the societal context of the 1960s.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include Billy Wilder, The Fortune Cookie, women's roles in film, 1960s Hollywood, comedy, gender roles, female characters, plot analysis, comedic function, legal status of women, and societal context.
- Quote paper
- Franziska Ventz (Author), 2006, The Role of Women in Billy Wilder’s 'The Fortune Cookie', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73433
