Pitch Perfect

Pitch Perfect, released in 2012 and directed by Jason Moore is a timeless comedic film that has taken the world by storm.  It follows the life of Beca, an alternative introvert who is in her freshman year at Barden University and finds herself apart of the collegiate acapella singing group 'The Barden Bella's. The film then tells the story of the Bella's tumultuous journey to the top of the collegiate acapella ladder.

In Films and TV Shows the idea of the perfect girl is a slim, popular, beautiful, rich, high achiever with a boyfriend. It's because of this unachievable goal that 58 percent of college aged girls feel pressured to be a certain weight and approximately 91 percent of women are unhappy about their body shape and feel that they have to resort to dieting to achieve the ideal body shape. Only 5 percent of women in America naturally possess this body shape that the media portrays as normal. How can people expect young girls to feel happy and confident within themselves when all they see is an unrealistic and unachievable stereotype that society expects them to fit into. Pitch Perfect is one of those rare films where the characters are girls of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities. But even with all these different groups being represented, the question still remains, is it a fair representation of girls today? 

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Pitch Perfect may seem like just another movie out of Hollywood, in many ways it is, but if you look closer you'll notice how many social stereotypes are used and the effect these will be having on us as viewers. The character of Fat Amy is arguably the most interesting and hilarious part of the film, she captivates the audience through her large personality and comedic comments making the character an instant global sensation. However Fat Amy's fame has provoked the question of whether her character is an accurate representation of a young adult or teenager or has Hollywood got it wrong once more by forcing an unfair stereotype on the fat girl.

Fat Amy is a confident and mildly cocky Australian who prides herself in not letting other people's comments get to her. She isn't outspoken and doesn't blend into the background of important scenes, she makes sure her opinion is heard whether it's a joke or not making her a vital part of the Barden Bella's. This alone breaks the stereotype that fat girls are pushed into for films and TV shows. Most fat girls on screen are portrayed as insecure, outspoken, unpopular and an all round no body. They play minor parts and their story lines are almost always based around struggles with their weight or other personal issues. Fat Amy is a complete opposite to this, consequently setting a good example for young girls around the world. She proves to everyone that being who you are and not hiding behind your insecurities and differences will bring you happiness. 

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However, if you look closer at her character throughout the film you begin to notice some stereotypes that are making it onto our screens more and more often. For example, Fat Amy in a nutshell is just another funny fat girl. She often uses her weight as the focus of her jokes, for example she hid from Aubrey when the Bella's were doing Cardio and when she was found out she claimed to be "horizontal running". Fat Amy is very similar to many characters that actress Melissa McCarthy portrays on film. She as well is a very funny lady and is almost always playing the funny fat girl who uses humour to highlight her obesity and distaste for all things to do with exercise. This makes it seem like all girls who struggle with their weight are against exercise and aiming for a healthier body- when in reality that may not always be the case. Rebel Wilson is best known for playing the stereotypical 'fat girl' in movies such as 'Bridesmaids' and 'Pitch Perfect' of course. She doesn't hide from the fact that she is big and has been quoted to say that "As long as I look like this, I’m going to make fat jokes". She embraces her body and is using it to the best of her ability to get jobs and build a fan base that loves and accepts her for who she is. She's apart of the change in Hollywood that's seeing the standards of beauty change. Rebel said, “Before, it was all glamorous types like Kate Hudson who served as, like, the female equivalent of a ‘straight man,'" and "Now it's turning, and it's really good". Maybe If we see more people of Rebel's on the big screen, then it will stop mattering as much. I personally believe Fat Amy is a positive role model but you can't escape the fact that in some ways her character is a negative and unfair representation of big girls.

Fat Amy's confidence is her strong point, it is displayed brilliantly when she asks to be called 'Fat Amy' because as she says, "so twig bitches like you don't do it behind my back". This shows that she's taking control of the situation by turning the insult of being called fat into a normal everyday thing that she controls. She removes the insult and connotations of being 'ugly' and 'stupid' out of the word and uses it for its true and simple meaning, she is not thin and there is no hiding from it. Though Fat Amy does fit into the funny fat girl stereotype, I believe her humour and ability to not let her weight burden her is a positive trait that anyone, especially girls, can strive towards. Fat Amy's clothing choices are another indication of how well she has embraced her weight. Throughout the film she wears tight fitting clothes that she wears with pride, not worrying about what other people think of her. It is not the typical 'popular fashion forward' clothing, but thats ok because that is who Fat Amy is, she's an individual with a creative streak who does what she wants when she wants. 

Overall I believe Pitch Perfect, especially Fat Amy is a positive role model for young girls. She teaches you to embrace your differences and not care what other people think of you, because at the end of the day you are your own person and as long as you're happy in yourself, everything will be ok.