Applying Theory to Tomb Raider
Mulvey's Gender Theory; Strong Females
In Tomb Raider it is clear that Lara Croft is a strong female, and multiple aspects of Mulvey's gender theory have been used to show this.
Mulvey states that the media often shows women as strong females who were seen as promiscuous in order to gain status over men. By creating a female character typically 'male' traits, it sometimes can lose the male interest in the film, therefore traits that are seen positively in a male are given a negative representation on a women. For example, they are sexually active and are therefore seen as promiscuous rather than confident and free, as a male with these traits would appear. They would use sex to dominate men and attain power, going against the typical male/female stereotype where men are stronger and have more power. In this scene, the director (Jan de Bont) has given Lara authority over the male. The scene begins with her touching the clip of her gun, which is a phallic symbol and makes Lara become fetishized. She is 'fondling' the part of the gun which leads to her further being seen as promiscuous. Although she is aware of his presence, when the man touches Lara she pushes him down to the floor in order to show her status through levels. As she is above him, and has just used her strength to put him into this position, it makes her seem more intimidating and gives her power over him. She then moves down to his level as they begin to kiss in to make it seem as though they are now equal, although she is actually only tricking him. Lara moves herself to be on top of the male, again giving her power over him. Mulvey's theory shows that Lara is only manipulating him through sex in order to get what she wants. She proceeds by putting the male in handcuffs, which is done to in order to fetishize her and have elements of bondage in the scene. She also has her hands around the mans throat, although in context this is seen as more sexual than a threat to the male. It isn't until Lara handcuffs him that the previous actions become threatening towards the male character. The director has done this to finalise Lara's strength and power over men, and it makes her seem cunning and intelligent which are major characteristics in Mulvey's 'Strong Female' theory.
In this clip Bont has again followed Mulvey's Strong Female stereotype. The director has used the guns as phallic symbols to fetishize Lara and make her seem dominant. Her guns are slung around her hips, hanging by her thighs. Her hands begin by swinging loosely by them, touching them gently. They are in this position to show penetration by males. Although this goes against Mulvey's theory of the woman being in control, the director later rectifies this by having Lara grip the guns tightly, spinning them on her fingers and toying with them, giving her back the power and putting her in control of the phallic objects. Bont further fetishizes Lara when she spreads her legs to avoid being hit by the robot. This adds aspects of sex to the fighting scene, and when the hand smashes through the floor it shows how Lara would have been penetrated, however she is intelligent and moves out of the way in time to avoid this.
Other strong female traits are shown in Lara throughout this scene. When the robot smashed through the pillar, Lara does not run but proceeds to fight, showing that she is brave and strong, a trait that is normally shown by men. Lara is also very muscular and butch, proving her capability of fighting and being as powerful as a man. However, as she is still female they want to make this clear to the audience in order to demonstrate that although she is strong and dominant, she is still a woman, and it is capable to be both of these. Therefore, Lara has good assets, which they focus on during throughout the scene, showing partially objectifying shots of her body. She also has very big lips which are an indexical signifier of oral sex, and can represent a vaginal porthole. Within the clip the soundtrack is not only used to create action codes, but it also further sexualizes the piece as before the action starts back up, there is a 'groan' in the non digetic sound to follow Mulvey's theory that the fighting is fetishized in order to make the character seem dominant and promiscuous.
Other strong female traits are shown in Lara throughout this scene. When the robot smashed through the pillar, Lara does not run but proceeds to fight, showing that she is brave and strong, a trait that is normally shown by men. Lara is also very muscular and butch, proving her capability of fighting and being as powerful as a man. However, as she is still female they want to make this clear to the audience in order to demonstrate that although she is strong and dominant, she is still a woman, and it is capable to be both of these. Therefore, Lara has good assets, which they focus on during throughout the scene, showing partially objectifying shots of her body. She also has very big lips which are an indexical signifier of oral sex, and can represent a vaginal porthole. Within the clip the soundtrack is not only used to create action codes, but it also further sexualizes the piece as before the action starts back up, there is a 'groan' in the non digetic sound to follow Mulvey's theory that the fighting is fetishized in order to make the character seem dominant and promiscuous.