Phallocentrism At Its Finest
Girl on a Motorcycle was anything but liberating for a woman. The film, although possibly innovative in its time, was strongly focused around phallocentrism and the male gaze. Phallocentrism is when men are the focal point throughout a production. They have the power and are superior to all others. It is very assuming that this film is based around phallocentrism. This can be seen in almost every production as far back as ancient Greek theatre. Men are superior, while women are put on the back burner for show. Rebecca, the girl on the motorcycle, was controlled and obsessed with men. Instead of being liberated throughout the movie, she because obsessed with the males in the production. Everything Rebecca stood for in this film revolved around a male's visions, thoughts, demands, etc. The narrative is Rebecca’s voice and she is constantly discussing her disgust and love for men. While focusing on men throughout the narrative, we also see Rebecca through the male gaze as an object or possession for the male role.
Male gaze was used throughout this movie and caused Rebecca to be thought of as an object. There would be certain conversations that Rebecca would use her physical beauty to get her way. When Rebecca got gasoline in the beginning of the film was a crucial point to show that men saw her as nothing more than a prize. The film would take very specific shots of her breasts or her buttocks, while a man would slightly caress it. The male gaze helps to show that this film is based on the entertainment of men but it also shows Rebecca as a possession. She does not seem intelligent, or witty, or fun in this film because of her constant thought of men. Her point in the film is to be Daniel's love object, and nothing more. While watching this movie, you can get frustrated with Rebecca's actions. Her thoughts of obsession over Daniel make the audience think that she deserves nothing. I feel that this type of film was the first to show women as an independent, yet unsuccessful at it. She is so adamant about being Daniel’s partner that she ends up dying in the film. This obsession shows the need for men in society because without their assistance woman would not be able to survive. This is an ultimate phalli centered thought and achievement for men. This also makes this film one of the least liberating films I have seen.
In the interview of Marianne Faithful, she discusses being a love object of Mick Jagger. Basically she was a toy and nothing more. Rebecca and Marianne could be comparable to show that women were thought of as inferior objects during the 60s. These women felt that they had no other choice but to be controlled and not really loved. Rebecca is made into a rebel at the time and if we are to watch this film, it makes the rebel seem like a horrible role to have.
"Love is a feeling, so is a toothache" is a phrase that Daniel says to Rebecca. This phrase will stick in my head forever in this movie because it shows the superiority and power the phalli have over women and the world in this movie.