100 Kick-Ass Female Characters: #78

[lit_chick08]

78. Regina George, as seen in the film Mean Girls, portrayed by Rachel McAdams

Comments

[elliesmeow]

Good movie, and very valid observations. Plus, let's be real here, Regina is way more interesting to watch than any of the other characters. She's way more layered.

[badboy_fangirl]

She's also played by Rachel McAdams, who is an amazing actress. :D

[taken_with_you]

Not to mention twelve and a half kinds of hooooottttttttttttttttttt. :D

[honey_wheeler]

The thing that I think is fascinating and really like about Regina is that she's a perfect example of what happens with aggression in girls. Unlike boys, girls have far fewer outlets for aggression - sports aren't nearly as encouraged, they aren't encouraged or expected to rough house and frequently are told not to, they're far more trained to be afraid of being physical hurt than boys are - so that aggression (in my opinion, I guess I should qualify) frequently turns inward and becomes psychological and social aggression. Which is a huge part of why middle school and high school can be so fucking miserable for girls, while a lot of guys have no clue about the emotional terrorism that goes on around them. Once Regina has a socially acceptable outlet for her aggression, she's a different person.

So the moral is everyone should join the lacrosse team, I guess.

[taken_with_you]

You absolutely hit the nail on the head. How many of us have heard lesbian softball jokes - girls in sports have THAT reputation, so "normal" girls frequently eschew healthy outlets for their aggression. It sucks.

[badboy_fangirl]

I love all the characters in this movie, and even as I was reading your recap I kept hearing "Cady" the way Janis said it to be funny rather than how it's really pronounced. So good.

I was actually just telling my older sister about this movie the other day and the exaggerated-ness of it that is just barely over the line. So much of it is spot on, and I just love it, especially Regina and her rage.

[rosaxx50]

Oh I absolutely love this movie, and all the characters are so real. I'm one of those people who doesn't relate to Regina, but she's still fascinating -- and your last paragraph gets well into why.

[brightstarmara]

This movie still rules. Regina is sharp as a knife!