I woke up this morning with the song Greased Lightning in my head. I also had a question - why do women like Grease so much? This essay represents my attempt to untangle my own responses, and those of other women, to this film.

GREASY

I’ve often wondered why so many women like the movie Grease so well. I know women who are almost obsessed with it, refusing to miss it the 107th time on television. They know all the words to every song, and can emote along with the characters because every word is burned into their memory. I thought at first it might be John Travolta, but I don’t see an equal obsession with other Travolta films, so it must be something else.

For starters, I think part of it is the prominent position of ‘bad girls’ in Grease. Instead of being presented as negative characters, the Pink Ladies are mostly likeable and end up sort of the heroines in the end. They appear to be rebels, refusing to step into the polite feminine role demanded by society. This can be as attractive to women as male rebels, like Sal Mineo in Rebel Without a Cause or Jack Nicholson in Deliverance. A lot of girls…and women…fantasize about stepping outside the norms of society and going wild. The Pink Ladies did just that…and got to sing with Frankie Valli.

The first time I saw Grease (yes, I’ve seen it more than once, usually with other women who refuse to miss it) I was deeply disturbed. As I saw it again (I guess I’ve seen it three times), I became more disturbed. Yes, the Pink Ladies were nonconformist – but only with polite society. They are heavily conformist with each other, and with the greasers they hang around with. This conformity is as policed and enforced as any other conformity. They rebel against one version of society, but are they really expressing who they are, or just reacting against what society expects of women?

That isn’t the disturbing thing, though. That’s really just a function of being a teenager. Teenagers are highly conformist; the only reason they have a reputation for being nonconformist is that they are not conforming with standards set by their parents or society, but by their peer group. So that’s mostly just…okay, it’s amusing to see young people think of themselves as expressing their true self when they are just mirrors reflecting their clique.

The disturbing part relates to Sandy’s story. I see the ending described on the internet as “Completing Sandy's arc towards self-discovery by transforming her into a greaser girl represents her rebirth and her newfound confidence in her identity”.  This is questionable at best. How do we know this is her identity? How do we know this is not just another mask? From her initial uneasiness in the role, it appears likely she has just changed one false face for another. And for what reason? A man.

This movie fails the Bechdel Test on all levels, but it also fails the Buckallew Test: if a woman has to change herself for a man, she is not being true to herself or him. This is, in short, an anti-feminist movie wrapped up in the borrowed feathers of a feminist one. Like most other movies that involve male/female relationships, the message is clear. A woman must mold and adapt herself into what sort of woman the man wants if she hopes to catch him. Sort of a Gummy-Barbie, if you will. Elastic, flexible, ready to be molded by the male gaze.

In spite of the fact that this movie was set in the 1950s and any other ending might seem anachronistic, it was released in 1978, a period when the women’s movement was at its strongest. Other movies of that era can also be seen as reflecting the backlash against the successes of the nascent woman’s movement. Hollywood has always been entrenched in a conventional view of men and women, and even when they manage to make a movie about women doing amazing things, sooner or later a man or the lack of a man must become part of the plotline. Women in movies agonize over men even more than women in real life and that’s setting a high bar. Hollywood led, followed, and got out of the way of the backlash against feminism.

It really makes sense, if you think about it. Hollywood was built on sexism, not just in their films, but in their contracts, and in the legendary (notorious) casting couch. They can afford to let a few slightly more feminist films be made, as long as there is a ready supply of women to be girlfriends for the male lead and to attract the gaze of the libidinous male viewer, as well as instill a longing in wives and girlfriends to be like the female lead.

It may be argued that men are also expected to change for women, and that movies send subtle and not-so-subtle messages about men’s roles. I agree with this, and think it is pernicious. Keep in mind, however, those stereotypes do not prevent men from succeeding and keeping hold of the reins of power. In fact, most of the stereotypes enhance male power, usually at the expense of women.

The upshot of all this is that women continue to internalize subtle messages about what is expected of them. Many of us don’t realize there are these shards of glass in our brains until we begin trying to pick apart why we are depressed, angry, miserable, or just plain confused. I have been surprised at many of the ways in which I have backed down for men, acquiesced to men, changed who I was or am for men. It is why sociologists studying sex roles keep hearing women reporting feelings and ideas that conform deeply to stereotypes. It is why women struggle to move up in the workplace even as males with no more education or experience rise to the top quickly…and often men with less education or experience.

At this point in history, when we are facing numerous threats to our rights, it is imperative that we pick those shards of glass out of our brains and begin to fight back against the stereotypes. You may have been doing that for a long time, as I have. But you also may have been doing it within the rules set down for nonconformity, as I have. Most of these rules, at least in regard to feminism, have been set by men. We creep through a tangle of expectations, arguing among ourselves whether to be cautious or bold, and purging our ranks of those who disagree, thereby weakening the final attack.

It is time we stand strong together and defy men any role in setting the limitations on women. We need to reject the role of primary caregiver if there is a male who can assume part of that role. It is time we reject the role of wife in favor of the role of woman…or better yet, person.