Introduction
Through the years, California is often shown in Hollywood movies. The way it is depicted by the filmmakers’ changes with the duration of time. Evaluating such movies from different periods it is possible to see the way California is depicted in every particular period of history. In the following paper, the movies “Top Gun (1986)” and “The Fast and the Furious (2001)” will be discussed with the purpose of seeing the Californian portrait of those days. Generally, the two movies show California as a state free from racial intolerance and gender discrimination which can be evaluated as the embodiment of the American way of living and the place which is seen as a herald of American democratic values to the world.
Race relations depicted in the movies
Nowadays, the problem of race relations is heated all around the United States; however, as it is evident in the movies under consideration it was not an issue even a decade ago in California. The two films show people of different races including whites, Latinos, Asians, and African Americans as having equal rights and being equally respected. The films do not make any difference between the representatives of different nations and cultures. Such a conclusion can be made judging on many points. For example, African Americans in these movies play the roles of “good guys” occupying important positions. A similar tendency can be noticed concerning the representatives of the other races including Latinos and Asians. These facts describe California as a place free from racial intolerance and discrimination where all the representatives of all races feel equally respected.
Gender relations depicted in the movies
From time to time gender questions become very heated in many lands of our planet. However, this cannot be told about the situation shown in the two movies under consideration. Both of the movies show women and men as having equal opportunities and being able to realize themselves in any area they choose. For example, in “Top Gun”, a woman plays one of the two main roles, and she is shown as a person occupying a high position in a well-respected military educational establishment. This heroine is shown as a teacher of military pilots of high rank which is really amazing as it is believed that only men can occupy such positions. Thus, one of the common gender prejudices is overthrown in this movie. In “The Fast and the Furious”, one of the main roles is also given to a woman. This character, called Letty, is one of the criminals, and whenever these criminals participate in their illegal actions her job is as important as one of the male participants of the band. Evaluating the way women are shown in these movies, it becomes evident that California is shown as free from gender issues where for every human the road is open to the area he or she will want.
The things that people associate with California as it is shown in the movies
The two movies show many things that can be associated with California. First of all, these are picturesque landscapes with beautiful beaches and incredibly warm weather. People love spending their time on the beaches lying in the sun; they also enjoy spending time in multiple cafes situated next to the beach. Next, California is depicted as a place full of interesting and extraordinary activities. People engage in a number of unusual practices and adventures. For example, in “The Fast and the Furious”, they participate in street racing. One more important peculiarity of California which is shown in the movies is people’s way of thinking and their ambition. They feel freedom and fight for having more rights than the population of the other states. For example, in “The Fast and the Furious”, citizens have an excess of the police radio which enables them to follow police and know their current location. Such freedom is unthinkable for the other states. Further, in both movies, the level of technological development is mind-blowing for the period of film creation which characterizes California as one of the most developed areas in the world. Finally, California is presented as a great melting pot full of representatives of the most diversified cultures and nations of the earth. These people are shown as having equal rights, freedoms, and opportunities which also highlights the triumph of democracy in this state. This consistency is very inspiring as California is not only one of the most attractive places for immigrants the reason of its beautiful climate, great opportunities, and liberal legislation, but also one of the most hospitable places in the world ready to receive all the people and offer them something valuable. This stereotype concerning California is seen as one of the most important Californian stereotypes for the people of the world.
The films focus on particular cities as an embodiment of the Californian spirit. In “Top Gun” it is San Diego, and in “The Fast and the Furious” it is Los Angeles. Both of these cities are places attractive for immigrants as they are full of great opportunities. These cities have an incredible atmosphere of cultural and racial tolerance where the representatives of every nation of the earth may find their own happiness. Not only is the population of the cities proof of this truth, but technologies and objects of daily use including cars, home techniques, and so on also show such mood. Evaluating the way people see these movies we can see the way people see California. For them, it is a home of liberty where people may enjoy their lives no matter who and what they are.
These movies are aimed at an audience of a rather wide range (but for elderly people) especially teenagers and young adults. Such a conclusion can be made as they depict a number of scenes that would not look well for the representatives of an older generation. For instance, “Top Gun” had rather explicit sexual scenes not typically occurring in the films of those days, and “The Fast and the Furious” is full of violence and the scenes where crime is shown as something attractive and positive which may be hardly approved by the people of older age on the reason of their exalted moral values.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the two films under consideration depict California as a state where liberty is honored more than anything else. This state appears as a free one from such evil as racial intolerance, gender discrimination, and any other forms of oppression. This place is known for the vindication of democratic values and freedoms which are very attractive for numerous people in the world. Such freedom explains the fact that California is one of the most attractive places in the world for immigration. As a result, the representatives of the most diversified nations and cultures are there along with their objects of daily use and techniques which makes California one of the most developed places not only in the country but in the whole world.
References
Scott, T. (Director). (1986). Top Gun [Film]
Cohen, R. (Director). (2001). The Fast and the Furious [Film]