Liberating?
"Rebellion's the only thing that keeps you alive," says Rebecca. (Girl on a Motorcycle)
In this 1968 film, Rebecca rebels against the normality of "femininity" and seems to be enjoying the freedom of the open road on a motorcycle. At first glance, this film looks as though it is liberating for women. However, as one watches the film, even from the beginning the male gaze and phallocentrism comes into play. From Rebecca's husband to the gas station man to the men at the bar, the male gaze takes control once again. This film is far from escaping the male gaze. Her lover can't even handle just gazing at her, but fondles her to show his power and dominance of her. She thinks she has freedom, but does she really? Has her rebellion to ride a motorcycle to her lover take away this gaze of the female body and liberated her from male dominance? No.
This film is far from liberating.