The late 1970’s teen romance flick “Grease” is a lighthearted attempt to depict how hard it is to fit in during high school when you have conflicting friend groups. The film ended up giving a much darker message to conform and be who those around you want. I do actually like the movie on a surface level but now when I watch it, I can only see it as a story that tells people to do whatever it takes to make people like you.
One very telling scene is the ending when our main character Danny is conforming for love. He has completely transformed and compromised who he is to win the love of Sandy, his love interest from the summer. Danny is pictured at a school activity fair in a brand new letterman jacket that he earned after he discovered Sandy went out with a “jock”. Next Danny is spotted by his greaser friends and they immediately show disappointment in his decision to change who he is. His response to their reaction is “Come on you guys you know you mean a lot to me it’s just Sandy does too and I’m gonna do anything I can to get her.” In this quote that appears romantic, Danny, in reality, uses the word “get” as if he is trying to obtain an object rather than win over a girl. No sooner after he finishes this sentence does Sandy enter the scene. She is seen surrounded by a crowd of men and easily attracts the attention of Danny’s friends clearly because her appearance has been changed. Sandy is pictured with an all-black leather outfit that is skin-tight, red lipstick, and a cigarette. This is when we are shown a misogynistic side of the film where as soon as Danny sees Sandy’s new attitude and the outfit he immediately forgets about the changes he made to his life and all his surroundings, he immediately focuses in on Sandy and her new appearance. Sandy comes prepped to sing a song that says “you’re the one that I want”. After that they go around the activity fair singing to each other, Sandy is welcomed to one of the greasers now that she has become a new person entirely.
Grease tells us that if you really want something or someone that you should completely change yourself. This movie is so dangerous in a world where we are surrounded by media. This movie also is focused on a younger age range. It is even featured on ABC Family. It is very detrimental to young women who are just being introduced to love and they may see Sandy who is older than them or near their age and mirror her actions. The film also dangerously focuses in on Sandy’s body that is wrapped in leather at the closing scene. By doing this, the movie focuses yet again on an impossibly skinny girl, fueling unrealistic body expectations for young women.
After truly analyzing the film, I completely disagree with its harmful message. I believe you should stand for who you are and if someone doesn’t accept you, they don’t deserve your company. Although this movie is considered a classic, it is outdated in its inclusivity. It only shows heterosexual, caucasian love, and how to fit in.
