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Saturday, October 10th, 2009
In an interview on the film, actress Meagan Fox said that "the movie appeals to many audiences and everyone will walk away liking something about it." Unfortunately, this gives plenty of ground for the film to sow its seeds of seduction. Jennifer's Body blends the popular genre of horror with comedy, a pinch of romance, and super-sexualized undertones, drawing an audience that finds themselves torn between the aspects of the film that they appreciate, and aspects that damage their minds and souls.
What is most troubling about the film’s widely targeted audience is the message it sends to younger viewers. Thanks to this movie’s lenient 14A rating, young girls who are struggling with who they want to be, and young boys who are trying to decide what they like about the opposite gender are now presented with a twisted example of what a desirable woman looks like.
The role that Megan Fox plays in this film is both disturbing and damaging. I am not speaking of her role as a demon-possessed student who literally feasts on the bodies of her classmates, but rather, the role of a sexual icon. Jennifer embodies the "perfect figure" and her presence in the film is closely linked with pornographic ideals. She represents the objectification of the female gender in our society, and a 'physical ideal' that is both unrealistic and unattainable for any woman. The Computer graphics, professional make-up, oiled skin, and her previous breast-work all contribute to a figure that instills unrighteous desires in males and females alike.
Though screenwriter Diablo Cody has based this film on the fascinating phenomena of how adolescent girls can be "ravenous" individuals who prey sexually on their male peers, the way Jennifer's Body expresses these things is harmful and distasteful.
This film testifies to the fact that, although film writers have many interesting and socially relevant ideas, producing them as candy-coated forms of mainstream entertainment can be a damaging and unhealthy way to get their point across.
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