The Fast & the Furious: Analyzing Letty Ortiz’s Gender Role
When we examine the cultural aspects surrounding the Fast and Furious franchise, there are always clear and precise ideas that spring to mind. For instance, the key representations consist of toughness, family, competition, masculinity, and so on. Another key artifact, which will be discussed in this reading, includes the roles of genders. Does the Fast and the Furious typically portray an accurate perception of a gender role within the narrative, in relation to Letty Ortiz? Furthermore, an analysis of the first installment (The Fast and the Furious) will be included to help define Letty’s role within the group.
A significant link to Letty’s character is de Certeau’s distinction between the concepts of strategy and tactics. De Certeau refers to institutions and structures of power as strategies, which ultimately act as, what he describes, ‘producers.’ In contrast, individuals are ‘consumers’ who tend to act in environments defined by strategies by using tactics.
This particular theory intersperses with Letty and her role as a car racer. During the Fast and the Furious, there is a scene in which Letty is involved in a car race at an event designed for those who live in this type of culture. Her opponent is a young male who seems surprised, yet buoyant of her being female, as he asserts to sexual remarks, including “how about I raise you for that sweet little ass”. An article called the ‘Media Portrayal of Women’ states media has a negative impact towards women, through imaging women as a female body that can be bought and sold like an object (Kaur and Thapar, 63–65). Furthermore, the key statement he makes is “shouldn’t you be watching from the side-lines?” after repeatedly calling her ‘baby’. Although this reference is sexist, Letty refuses to let it affect her demeanor and decides to play along. What this suggests is that her character is accustomed to such remarks in this environment. It is a predominant male world where she is uncommon, but equally as effective, as demonstrated in this scene, ultimately winning. This scenario intertwines with de Certeau’s theory because Letty is in an environment where the ‘producers’ are largely made up of eccentric males with a passion for cars. Letty, the ‘consumer’, deals with the norms in which are set up by the producers, yet there are particular barriers she faces in doing so because of her gender.
In addition, this boils down to de Certeau’s other theory based on the elements of place and space. De Certeau argues that space is a practiced place. This links to the way people conduct themselves on a daily basis. For instance, students attend a classroom, referred to as a ‘place’, and they make it their ‘space’ to learn. When they enter the classroom, they are automatically aware of their requirements because of past stories about this environment.
This theory can be found with Letty Ortiz. When she drives her car onto the racetrack, she makes it her space, whereas the track is her place. As suggested, this particular place has a tendency to involve the male gender, however, Letty challenges this notion by using her competitiveness, and grit to succeed in this environment. In contrast, she knows what not to do in this place, indicating her awareness of the space. She knows not to do anything else other than race her car. It can be suggested that when she is a victim of sexist remarks, she knows not to retaliate because not only would it show her inability to control herself, but she is also aware of the rules, and perhaps etiquette of the place she participates in.
“Letty represents a sharp reversal of the gender roles that dominate both action movies and romantic drama’s” (Rosenberg). Letty’s role within the gang is nothing less than any other male involved with their missions. Throughout each Furious film she is included in, she sparks a character which reverses the perception that society has on women, particularly within movie theaters. She demonstrates elements of toughness, shows a desire to win, and even drives cars as fast as the men. It can be suggested that this particular depiction, is not often symbolized within the film industry, especially when it is included in a franchise that focuses heavily on male dominance, and pride.
Throughout the Fast and the Furious, Letty challenges onscreen gender stereotypes by expressing sequences of toughness, action, and competition. Such characteristics exemplify what society expect from muscle-bound males as opposed to attractive women. However, Letty goes beyond this concept, as she demonstrates how women can also have an impact on action movies. During the Fast and the Furious she never shies away from anything the group decides to partake with. Whether it is car racing, fighting, or perhaps dangerous missions, she always seems to be there with the men of the group. To her past actions, her male counterparts seem to rely on her involvement, and never seem to question her capabilities of working with them. The ending scene consists of a dangerous mission where the gang have to stop a moving truck while driving in their cars. Letty’s role in this is nothing less of those around her. Although there have been cinematic performances involving action women, it still remains limited, however, what Letty represents in the Fast and the Furious, is a woman who can work, compete, and live equally in an environment dominated by men, something that is nonstandard to the trade.
However, Letty also represents a familiar artifact, one that we expect to observe from a female character; romanticism. Despite her portrayal of, what she personally describes as, ‘a ride-or-die chick’, she also exposes her love for her male partner, Dom. There are particular scenes within the Fast and Furious where she expresses this love physically, and emotionally, elements we expect to see within a romantic story-line. This is where she illustrates a stereotypical view of a female character within a man’s world. Having a relationship with a lead character fits the criteria of a typical romance. However, even this appears to be an unusual type relationship. Although it is clear of her feelings toward Dom, her emotions tend to remain strong, and they express their love in a way we do not expect from a romance. For instance, during a party scene, Letty walks in the living room and instructs Dom to take her upstairs to give her a ‘massage’. Instead of implying this subtly, or perhaps romantically, she decides to demand it, and he willingly excepts. It can be suggested that this type of behavior is unusual for a woman, however, this is Letty’s character. She is tough, and certainly wants to remain that way, otherwise it is a risk of letting her guard down and showing her fragile side around a collection of men who see her as a strong individual.
In conclusion, with the moments enlisted within this reading, it can be suggested that the Fast and the Furious portrays a female character to be foreseen as another male counterpart to some degree. Therefore, it is not an accurate perception of what we expect to see from a female, especially who is involved within a romance. In particular, the moment she is involved with the end mission truly signifies her importance, and perhaps status within the group.
Although the film seems to be obsessed with illustrating her toughness, there are indications, or perhaps reminders, of her being an attractive young woman within a dangerous culture allocated to men. The moment she is victimized of sexism by her male opponent, is an indication that not all males are blinded by her strong nature. Dom also shows how he views her as an attractive woman, but unlike some, he knows that she can handle herself in the same environment as himself, making her his partner, rather than his backup.
The fast and the Furious includes ways to show that Letty Ortiz is in fact aware of her gender role. Her love for Dom exemplifies this claim as mentioned in this reading. Although she expresses this in ways that differ from the traditional, romantic films we see, she still manages to stamp characteristics we expect to witness from a female within a love story. Not only does her love for Dom define this, but there is an inclusion of jealousy when she sees Dom gaining attention from other females at a racing event. It is a moment where she acknowledges her role; a woman who is protective over her man.
Ultimately, de Certeau’s theories based on space/place and strategies/tactics were analyzed in this reading in relation to Letty’s role as a female within a male dominant culture. Using these theories led to the assumption that Letty does live a life like a male, but she acknowledges her status as a woman within this world she is passionate for. Furthermore, she has the ability to deal with her status and still possess the characteristics of a female within a cinematic feature, showing that she is not confused by her gender role, in fact, just a woman warrior.
