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I could weirdly - WEIRDLY - talk about Wilde and all of this all day long. I took a break from celeb gossip/watching for about a decade. But this has pulled me back in for many layered reasons. I loved this because it really offered additional context I hadn't seen anywhere else. She feels....very lean in white feminist to me for so many reasons but it is always difficult to know how much is real and how much is perception. I was also just so confused by her interpretation of her own film - the way she presented it as a vehicle championing feminine pleasure in interviews when [spoilers!!!] just totally confused me. But after reading your analysis it kind of...fits in place better now. If that makes sense.
Sep 25, 2022·edited Sep 25, 2022Liked by Anne Helen Petersen
Loved loved loved this! My partner asked me yesterday what the whole hubbub was around the film and Wilde/Pugh etc, and I was hoping someone had written a bigger picture sort of explainer. Et voila! (One thing — Wilde’s directorial debut was Booksmart, not Girlsmart.)
Are they (Wilde & Styles…which brings forth the image of Wyldstlye from The Lego Movie) still together? I have followed all this gossip closely because I’m intrigued by her. I had high hopes for this movie but some interesting videos/information about what actually went down with SL and pay discrepancies between make and female leads have left me disappointed. Who knows what’s true but it doesn’t seem like a good look for Wilde.
I have mixed feelings about these various ~scandals, because there is a lot of misogyny and sexism...but Wilde also dropped the ball and is being rightly called out for it. And even reading her interviews about the film -- particularly the sex scenes -- and then seeing how the film's larger topics and themes (and the sex scenes) play out, showed me that she does not know how to read film. IDK, I don't think Wilde's transition to directing has been helped by these scandals, but also I do not think she is capable for long term success as a director because like you said, her ambitions and ideas do not match her skill level.
Compare and contrast the effect of the Jolie-Pitt relationship on Angelina's career, versus the effect on PItt's (none whatsoever that I've noticed) - despite the fact that Brad left America's Sweetheart Aniston and the strange reports about the custody battle --
side note: thanks for that linked piece on movie audio! I genuinely thought I was developing a hearing problem!!! and maybe I am? but maybe not, or maybe not as bad as I feared
A small correction, with apologies for being That Person! — Wilde’s directorial debut was called Booksmart, not Girlsmart.
I could weirdly - WEIRDLY - talk about Wilde and all of this all day long. I took a break from celeb gossip/watching for about a decade. But this has pulled me back in for many layered reasons. I loved this because it really offered additional context I hadn't seen anywhere else. She feels....very lean in white feminist to me for so many reasons but it is always difficult to know how much is real and how much is perception. I was also just so confused by her interpretation of her own film - the way she presented it as a vehicle championing feminine pleasure in interviews when [spoilers!!!] just totally confused me. But after reading your analysis it kind of...fits in place better now. If that makes sense.
Loved loved loved this! My partner asked me yesterday what the whole hubbub was around the film and Wilde/Pugh etc, and I was hoping someone had written a bigger picture sort of explainer. Et voila! (One thing — Wilde’s directorial debut was Booksmart, not Girlsmart.)
This is the gossip that I look forward to !
Now I need your take on Meghan and Harry!
Always wonderful to get a celeb cultural analysis from you! Takes me back. 😊
I found you in the days you regularly pulled back the curtain on celebrity and media and I’m still fascinated. Thank you for this!
Are they (Wilde & Styles…which brings forth the image of Wyldstlye from The Lego Movie) still together? I have followed all this gossip closely because I’m intrigued by her. I had high hopes for this movie but some interesting videos/information about what actually went down with SL and pay discrepancies between make and female leads have left me disappointed. Who knows what’s true but it doesn’t seem like a good look for Wilde.
I have mixed feelings about these various ~scandals, because there is a lot of misogyny and sexism...but Wilde also dropped the ball and is being rightly called out for it. And even reading her interviews about the film -- particularly the sex scenes -- and then seeing how the film's larger topics and themes (and the sex scenes) play out, showed me that she does not know how to read film. IDK, I don't think Wilde's transition to directing has been helped by these scandals, but also I do not think she is capable for long term success as a director because like you said, her ambitions and ideas do not match her skill level.
Compare and contrast the effect of the Jolie-Pitt relationship on Angelina's career, versus the effect on PItt's (none whatsoever that I've noticed) - despite the fact that Brad left America's Sweetheart Aniston and the strange reports about the custody battle --
side note: thanks for that linked piece on movie audio! I genuinely thought I was developing a hearing problem!!! and maybe I am? but maybe not, or maybe not as bad as I feared
Is there another link for your article on Olivia Wilde? Wayback can't find it.
I’m getting an error with the Wayback link - “The Wayback Machine has not archived that URL. This page is not available on the web
because page does not exist.” Anyone manage to access? I’d love to see it!