In a World...
Writer: Lake Bell
Director: Lake Bell
Logline: An underachieving voice coach finds herself competing in the movie trailer voice-over profession against her arrogant father and his protégé. (Source: IMDb) Comedy, 93min
Bechdel Test: Passed all three tests.
Review
In a World… is the story of Carol, played by Lake Bell, who is trying to make it in the voice-over business. Even though her dad is one of the most successful voice over actors in Hollywood, she can’t seem to get past the gender barrier that is present in the field. As she begins to find success, she must work through family issues with her dad and sister - throw in a couple of guys who may be potential romantic interests and Carol’s life is a whirlwind.
What is particularly interesting about this film is that Lake Bell not only stars in it, but also wrote and directed it. The story is about a woman from a woman’s point of view – already, I’m totally on board.
It goes through the classic underdog storyline where the girl can’t break into the boys club, then she does, then she beats the boys at their own game. By the end of the film, Carol has booked a huge job that the best guys in town were all competing for – it’s a great win for women everywhere. Except it kind of isn’t.
What I was most impressed by in the movie was the moment Carol learns that she was hired because she is a woman, not because she did the best job. Her joyous accomplishment turns into a bittersweet consolation prize. It still earns her a paying job, but it robs her of the satisfaction of knowing that her talents were truly deserving. That poignant realization left me thinking long after the film had ended.
I wondered if it would have been better for Carol to win based purely on merit. I felt cheated, where was that triumphant better-than-all-the-boys-put-together girl? I wanted a Melanie Griffith, Working Girl resolution, but all I got was Geena Davis telling Carol she gender quota'd her way into a job.
But if Carol had landed the job by merit, she probably would have just gone on to do more voice over work. Instead, she reevaluates and chooses to teach young women how to find their own voices. That is real empowerment.
This is a fun movie with an impressive cast. Rob Corddry, Ken Marino, Demetri Martin, Tig Notaro and Michaela Watkins are just a few of the people who helped make this movie a delightful watch.
Portrayal of Women: Lots of great female characters here, all with different goals. Carol's main goal is to establish her career. Her sister Dani's is to balance her marriage and career. Their dad's girlfriend is trying to lock down a rich older guy. Different motivations, different kinds of women, all great representations.
There are also plenty of secondary characters who are women.
Sisterhood moment: "Sister code. Done deal. Sister code." Translation: Can you just do this for me without asking questions? That's what besties are for.
Rating: 4/5
Review
In a World… is the story of Carol, played by Lake Bell, who is trying to make it in the voice-over business. Even though her dad is one of the most successful voice over actors in Hollywood, she can’t seem to get past the gender barrier that is present in the field. As she begins to find success, she must work through family issues with her dad and sister - throw in a couple of guys who may be potential romantic interests and Carol’s life is a whirlwind.
What is particularly interesting about this film is that Lake Bell not only stars in it, but also wrote and directed it. The story is about a woman from a woman’s point of view – already, I’m totally on board.
It goes through the classic underdog storyline where the girl can’t break into the boys club, then she does, then she beats the boys at their own game. By the end of the film, Carol has booked a huge job that the best guys in town were all competing for – it’s a great win for women everywhere. Except it kind of isn’t.
What I was most impressed by in the movie was the moment Carol learns that she was hired because she is a woman, not because she did the best job. Her joyous accomplishment turns into a bittersweet consolation prize. It still earns her a paying job, but it robs her of the satisfaction of knowing that her talents were truly deserving. That poignant realization left me thinking long after the film had ended.
I wondered if it would have been better for Carol to win based purely on merit. I felt cheated, where was that triumphant better-than-all-the-boys-put-together girl? I wanted a Melanie Griffith, Working Girl resolution, but all I got was Geena Davis telling Carol she gender quota'd her way into a job.
But if Carol had landed the job by merit, she probably would have just gone on to do more voice over work. Instead, she reevaluates and chooses to teach young women how to find their own voices. That is real empowerment.This is a fun movie with an impressive cast. Rob Corddry, Ken Marino, Demetri Martin, Tig Notaro and Michaela Watkins are just a few of the people who helped make this movie a delightful watch.
Portrayal of Women: Lots of great female characters here, all with different goals. Carol's main goal is to establish her career. Her sister Dani's is to balance her marriage and career. Their dad's girlfriend is trying to lock down a rich older guy. Different motivations, different kinds of women, all great representations.
There are also plenty of secondary characters who are women.
Sisterhood moment: "Sister code. Done deal. Sister code." Translation: Can you just do this for me without asking questions? That's what besties are for.
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