The definition of a femme fatale is an attractive and seductive woman, esp. one who will ultimately bring disaster to a man who becomes involved with her. Femme fatale is a French word and means a dangerous woman. They are glamorous and use their attractiveness to their advantage, they're also devious characters who are usually the brains behind the 'bad guy' however femme fatale can also mean that a woman is the victim and are vulnerable in a world they can't escape from due maybe to a relationship with a villainous character. For example the character Eve in 'Once Upon a Time in America' is in a relationship with a gangster named Noodles and ends up dead within the first scene due to being caught up in a dangerous world. Pearls are often asscociated with a femme fatale such as a pearl neck-less or another piece of jewellery becuase pearls symbolize tears also supporting the point that they are stuck in a dangerous world which they are unable to escape from.
Although femme fatale's are devious and portray to be confident characters, they are almost always seen to be luring women who are very seductive, and by using their attractive looks they can get men and lead them into hazardous situations.
This is the 'hardcore' femme fatale Lisbeth Salander from 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'
Lisbeth Salander is a social misfit who is an expert in computer hacking. She is a very independent woman who is deeply troubled however is intelligent and uses her intelligence and violence to get her self out of crisis. Her appearance (being tattoos, spiky hair and a lot of piercings) gives those who encounter her to misjudge and stereotype her. She uses her skill and intelligence with technology to solve crimes and can in ways be related to Sherlock Holmes who has inspired fictional detectives who came after him.
Another interesting post, you could add that Lisbeth Salander could be viewed as a contemporary/progressive representation of the femme fatale (bad girl/deviant) because she is at the centre of the action, is clever, active, independent and uncompromising. She also doesn't share the fate of the traditional femme fatale in that she is not domesticated nor bumped off. The film "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is well worth seeing.
ReplyDeleteLisbeth represents a change in attitudes towards women in some sections of the film industry but generally not Hollywood! The glamorous femme fatale in "Skyfall" is not so lucky!