The media I will be analyzing is the Romantic Comedy: Forgetting Sarah Marshall. In this post I will be outlining the gender roles that are portrayed in the film by the two main characters: Peter and Rachel.

Peter:

  •  The gender roles portrayed in this film by Peter are much different than stereotypical roles I have seen in other movies in this category for the man, because they are gender role reversals. For example:
    • The only nudity in the film is of Peter. Typically, there is much more female nudity. 
    • Peter is portrayed as overly emotional about his breakup with Sarah. He cries often, is depressed, and won’t stop talking about Sarah to the point that he is annoying his friends. This is also typically more of a trait that is portrayed with women.
    • Peter is so in love with Sarah at the beginning that it seems almost obsessive. 

Rachel:

  • Rachel’s characteristics and roles in the film are also very different from the stereotypical female gender roles we tend to see in films. 
  • Rachel is very much in charge of her and Peter’s relationship
  • She uses a lot of harsh, foul language

Shared by: Ella Tristani
Image Credit: https://www.amazon.com/Forgetting-Sarah-Marshall-Unrated-Widescreen/dp/B001C0JCBA