“Indiana Jones And The Crystal Skull”: Did Cate Have To Have That Haircut?

(Coming next week: “Sex and the City,” baby!)

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is far and away a guy film. Women will enjoy it, too, but they may have to turn a blind eye to the fact that only two females appear in the film, and both have been painted into a stereotypical corner.

 

One could credit the stereotyping to the era in which the film is set. It’s 1957, six years before Betty Friedan would write “The Feminine Mystique.” Women didn’t work and stayed at home to raise their children and cook the family meal. “Leave It to Beaver” made its premiere that same year.

 

Not that anyone is concerned in this movie if there are strong female characters because the long awaited return of Harrison Ford in the role of “Indiana Jones” is all that really matters.

 

Cate Blanchett as villain Dr. Irena Spalko co-stars in the film and director Steven Spielberg has built in some no-holds barred battles.

 

But the femi-Nazi is more of a caricature than a real female fighter. With her fierce black hair in a bob, she looks like the first cousin of cartoon scoundrel, Cruella da Ville.  The Australian actress told a British newspaper that her “helmet” hair definitely sends a signal that she is playing a villain. Thanks, Cate. Blanchett sees plenty of action, including one of the best swordfights to hit the big screen in a while, as she and Shia LaBeouf fighting it out while balancing across two safari vehicles.

 

The first Indy film in 19 years also brings back Karen Allen, who made a splash as Marion Ravenswood 27 years ago in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Ford and Allen play off one another making their onscreen relationship reminiscent of Hepburn and Tracy, or Bogart and Bacall.

 

 Allen herself has been in hiding, away from the Hollywood spotlight, and living a quiet New England life in suburban Massachusetts. She took up knitting and eventually created Karen Allen Fiber Arts, selling cashmere knitwear and accessories, with a store and a studio in Great Barrington, Mass. At 56, Allen is feisty in the film, but is definitely given a backseat role as a single mom who ends up revealing a long kept secret to Dr. Jones. Most of the time, Allen as Ravenswood is cast to the side; she’s Nervous Mom Driving while others fight. She takes everyone on the ride of their life in a boat that tumbles down steep water rapids with Dr. Jones instructing her at every turn.

 

Let the guys beat tribal drums and bond during “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” because next week is women’s week at the movies. “Sex and The City” here we come.

See review on WNBC:

 http://www.wnbc.com/entertainment/16361247/detail.html