“I Feel Pretty”: A Movie of Self-Acceptance
Amy Schumer, who has been an advocate for the awareness of body dissatisfaction, was portrayed as a social outcast in her movie “I Feel Pretty” that came out last year. The main character Rennee Bennet, played by Amy Schumer, shows discomfort with her body when in her room as she’s looking at herself in the mirror. Bennet examines her waistline and starts pressing all over her body in disgust. The character Bennet felt low of herself due to the look of her body at that moment, an intimate and all too real experience that many women can surely relate to. “I Feel Pretty” is a compressible call for help with those that struggle with body dissatisfaction, and others see it as a dissatisfying plea for attention. A cause for concern as you can say the overall awareness Schumer’s character brings upon shaming a heavier set women rule over the negative criticism this film has brought about. The damaging side effects against the young viewers is that they see models in this same movie, like Naomi Campbell and Emily Ratajakowski, who plays as “end goal” or “perfect” characters in regard to their own bodies, instead of seeing the strength and perseverance Amy Schumer hopes to provide through her own character.
As a woman who lives the daily life of consciously and unconsciously comparing personal body image to the media, “I Feel Pretty” was a formality brought to life. The reality of the potential damage this movie scene alone holds is dissatisfying, to say the least. Following, the scene continues to show Bennet falling, hitting her head, and suddenly finding this overwhelming satisfaction in herself. This part of the film is a nod to the dismissiveness that we as women put ourselves through; showing that all it takes to gain the confidence and empowerment we women seek from our need for outward approval, is a simple change of perspective. If only it were that simple. The simplicity of the three words “I feel pretty” are the backbone to an open-opened question, the question of when and how do I feel pretty. The where and how are always the left out pieces. Nobody ever cares about the work and dedication put into self-acceptance but only how quick the “needed improvement” is made. Schumer's new and improved self-love point of view was the pinnacle of this movie, she brought into the performance she believes was worth being in the movie.
Amy’s role in the movie “I feel pretty” gives a face to the voice that media has weakened over time due to the famous representation of “the perfect” body that is splashed over every medium. In this movie, Amy Schumer shows young viewers the journey to self-acceptance, self-awareness, and devoting time to yourself. The statement “I feel pretty” is such a powerful way to declare self-love without the damaging self-improvements seen on screens (i.e. skin lightening creams, cosmetic surgery, etc.). The way media has formed a saying in whether or not we feel pretty is atrocious. The title itself reclaims our statement on how we should see ourselves rather than who should say how we feel. Media was the voice of self-empowerment, we are taking it back by the basics of saying I feel pretty.
