The media I will be analyzing is the film: Love Actually. In this post I will be outlining the gender roles and power dynamics that are portrayed in the film by the relationships that are serious and monogamous throughout the film: David and Natalie, Jamie and Aurélia, and Sarah and Carl. 

David and Natalie:

  • David is the prime minister and Natlie is a housekeeper for him. Right away, there is a power dynamic. 
  • Being the Prime Minister, David.. 
    • defends his own beliefs
    • Acts as a leader
    • Dormant 
    • makes decisions easily 
  • David gets very protective of Natalie, especially when the president makes a move on her. 
    • Instead of asking Natalie about the incident, he automatically transfers her to a different job, believing that he took care of it without even asking her. 
  • Natlie is very soft spoken and gullible.
  • Natile is gentle, understanding, and compassionate.

Jamie and Aurélia:

  • Aurélia is Jamie’s housekeeper at his cottage. She is always serving him and tending to his needs.
  • Aurélia and Jamie have a language barrier, because of this Jamie doesnt talk to her much, but Aurélia talks to herself and is very soft spoken, childlike, and gullible. 
  • Aurélia is extremely shy but also very loyal to her family and even Jamie, as his housekeeper.
  • Jamie is very analytical and studious. He is in the middle of writing a book when he meets Jamie, and is always reading. 
  • Jamie is willing to take risks and take a stand.
    • With Aurélia, it was a major risk to engage in a relationship with her but he still did. 

Sarah and Carl:

  • Sarah is sensitive to others needs and quick to soothe hurt feelings
    • She is always there for her brother whose wife just passed away, and is close with her nephew.
  • she is often cheerful
    • Even when she starts to learn that her husband is cheating on her
    • With her brother who is mourning his wife 
  • Is loyal to her husband, even though he is not
  • Carl makes decisions quickly
    • The scene in the store when he is shopping for his mistress 
  • Carl is very analytical and smart 
  • Carl is willing to take risks 
    • He is cheating on his wife

Shared by: Ella Tristani
Image Credit: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/