Liberating for women?
At first, the 1960s film "Girl on a Motorcycle" might seem like a revolutionary movie having the woman play the main role. However, after just a short time of watching the film the viewer realizes the woman doesn't represent liberation or freedom at all. The male gaze is repeated over and over again in this film. Whether it is the woman being framed by the way her zipper moves, or she is standing in front of a window or mirror, she is portrayed as a sex object more than anything else. But what's more, is that she wants to be treated this way. She "castrates" Raymond many times by yelling at him to just tell her what to do, and by the simple fact that he won't have sex with her without her approval. Also, when the guard doesn't hit on her she assumes he must be queer. Finally, the movie shows that the men really have the power when, after Daniel rapes her, the first thing she says is,"I've never been so happy". "Girl on a Motorcycle" is clearly a movie for men, telling them that it's okay, and actually encouraged to treat women poorly, hit on them, and have sex with them without their consent, because if you do, they will never be happier.