Eight years ago, Nathan Rabin coined the term “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” after watching the movie “Elizbaethtown”. Six months ago, he wrote an article apologizing for creating the term and wishing to retract it. This week, the latter article has recirculated social media, and today, I want to talk about it.
What is a Manic Pixie Dream Girl?
A Manic Pixie Dream Girl (MPDG) is that whimsical woman in movies who teaches men how to “embrace life and its infinite mysteries and adventures”. Examples of this character are Kirsten Dunst in “Elizabethtown”, Charlize Theron in “Sweet November”, and Natalie Portman in “Garden State”.
Why do people hate this character?
People tend to hate her because she’s a stereotypical character that recurs in film to assist a white male reach his self-actualized potential. She is someone who “saves” a man from his depression or his lack of ability to deviate from the daily grind. Most find her shallow and improbable. The character simplifies femininity to one type of woman, who is simply there to aid a man. That, in itself, is sexist.
How can I defend that?
I can and will defend it simply because I love the character traits she possesses. Mindy Kaling wrote that the “Etheral Weirdo” (AKA the MPDG) would be considered a “homeless woman” and people would “cross the street to avoid her”. Here’s the thing, though: I wouldn’t.
I identify completely as a feminist. I hate the overall inequality women experience worldwide for no reason. I always go dutch, I have sex when I want to, and I never make a man open the door for me. I believe that kindness should be extended regardless of gender, and not purely for chivalrous purposes. It’s an atrocity that we still make so little money in comparison to our male counterparts, and that we’re expected to be sexy at all times, but when we acknowledge it we become sluts.
But the problem isn’t the fact that we have MPDG characters in movies. The problem is that there aren’t enough powerful heroines in film and television. The problem is general misogyny in our society. It seems like all of the roles women fill are in someway fulfilling a stereotype, which Kaling does a good job of outlining in her article, “Flick Chicks“.
Isn’t that hypocritical?
I realize what I’m saying might sound hypocritical, but I don’t intend it to be. There is nothing wrong with a woman who is effervescent and strange. There are women (and men!) who spin the globe in an office and wait till their finger lands to determine the location of their next vacation. There are women who make elaborate packages for road trips, make up songs about everything they’re doing, and don’t care if the situation “calls for” a cartwheel. If she wants to do a cartwheel, you better get out of the way because you’re about to get kicked in the head.
Are all women like this? Of course not. But that doesn’t mean they’re not allowed to be portrayed in movies. It would be nice if these free-spirited ladies could be written into plots where they merely exist, and their persona isn’t solely intended to better a man’s state of mind. I want to see a movie where all these whimsical women get together and have the weekend of a lifetime. I want to see movies where she isn’t the secondary “sidekick” to the leading man. I want to see movies that are just about this crazy wonderful gal, full of optimism and quirks.
There is a lot to be done to create gender equality, but I don’t think that cutting MPDGs out of cinema is the first step we should be focusing on.
Why are Manic Pixie Dream Girls awesome?
1) They live in the moment, something most of us strive to be able to do.
2) They’re not going to spend much time in front of the mirror at all because their beauty radiates from all that joy they’re spreading around.
3) They’re not going to freak out about getting wet or getting messy.
4) They’re not boring.
5) They’re going to say yes to adventure.
6) They care about your happiness, and they’re going to make you feel better some how.
7) They’ll make you appreciate small, strange things.
8) They exist.
So what do you think? Is the MPDG character just a sexist Hollywood trope perpetuating negative stereotypes about women? Is there nothing wrong with it and we need more of them in movies? Is it okay for all types of people to be depicted in media as long as we’re addressing the actual societal issues off screen? I want to hear your thoughts.
There is room for everyone in our world… What I don’t understand is why we feel the need to put labels on everything or everyone? Most people are more than one dimensional and labels squash that. The world needs all sorts of people…. I guess I’m saying I dislike stereotypes… It prevents us digging deeper to see the WHOLE person.
I agree! I didn’t even realize there was a MPDG stereotype until sometime last year. I definitely see these characters as individuals, not as part of a stereotype.
Totally agree! There’s room for everyone. Sometimes stereotypes exist because those PEOPLE exist, but we don’t need to pigeon hole anyone. Accept every person for who they are, whether they fall into some pre-conceived notion or not.
I love the MPDG. I see her less as someone whose role is simply to aid a man, and more of an inspiration. In my opinion, she has MORE power than the man, because she has changed him, and not vice versa. She is the one who embraces life and accepts herself the whole time, demonstrating the strength of her character. Plus, without her, the movie would be totally boring.
Right?! Totally agree. SHE is charging him, therefore she’s just.. better! Haha. But honestly, yes. She embraces and accepts herself AND him the entire time, because she’s totally awesome! Well said, Jackie.
Haha, why thank you, Mary dear! I loved this article, and I’m so glad you put forth such a thought-provoking perspective and topic! xoxox
I identify as a MPDG (definitely an Ethereal Weirdo) I’ve never thought of it being anything to do with a man. I’m surprised to hear that it’s a negative thing. As an ENFP on Meyers Briggs, it is how I exist and it can sometimes be a difficult experience to be so wild and childlike. I never completely fit in anywhere and I feel everything quite deeply without always understanding my experience. Thank you for this article!
I’m an ESFP, very close to ENFP (and all of my friends are ENFPs), so I totally think that plays a part in the MPDG type character. Thank you for commenting!
The manic pixie dream girl is fine. She’s doing her thing. She knows every person (not just every woman) is different. It’s just Hollywood that picks a male lead to be the dynamic character in a movie, which makes it seem like the MPDG exists solely to prop him up. (Yes, Hollywood can take anything good and turn into a great big pile of sexism.)
But they are characters. In a movie. I don’t know any women in real life who exist just to change or save or fix a dude. But you know what? We all change each other, just a little bit, by knowing each other. And that’s a good thing. Because we shouldn’t be static characters in movies. We should change and grow, and love all our weirdos.
Totally agree. Extremely well put! We all change each other, and as much as that may be true we don’t exist ONLY for that purpose! Thanks, Cara.
I’ve actually been wanting to see Elizabethtown for a while. Adding it to my watch list. But anyway… As someone who puts wayy too much thought into most things, I like that they live in the moment and just go and do things! The label might not be necessary but I think that kind of person/character is admirable. 🙂
Yes, I think you’ll enjoy it. But yeah! I’m glad that even though you don’t identify with the character you an appreciate/admire her! That’s good to here. 🙂 Happy weekend, Marian!
This is the reason I love Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Holly Golightly is a MPDG main character and she is badass and aspirational. She is who I strive to be like. Someone who knows what they want and then also acknowledges that they are awesome and deserve to have it.