This is a class blog run by Dr. Carolina Acosta-Alzuru and her students in the course "Telenovelas, Culture and Society" at the University of Georgia during Spring 2011

Friday, April 29, 2011

La Mujer Perfecta?

We've discussed La Mujer Perfecta many times throughout the semester, and I think it's a great message that Leonardo Padrón tried to bring to Venezuela. However, I did have some qualms with the telenovela that made it difficult for me to take the message seriously.

First of all, every single one of the six protagonists is a beautiful woman. Gorgeous. I think it is hypocritical to create a telenovela with the thesis "there is no perfect woman, flaws make women unique, etc." while those portraying this thesis could easily be considered perfect. I wish Padrón had included an overweight woman, a woman with a huge nose, a woman with crooked teeth or frizzy hair. How are Venezuelans supposed to receive this message when those delivering it reflect the ideal image that they so desperately strive for?

I commend Padrón for his use of a protagonist with autism. It is very unique and sheds light on a topic not often covered. However, she is still a drop-dead gorgeous actress! I also find it interesting that, as Dr. A mentioned in our last class, each actress has fair skin. I hope that in the future, telenovelas will feature women of all different shapes and colors.

5 comments:

  1. I'd agree with your opinions on the women. They're all stunning.
    I think this is where you can really draw the line between an interesting or new message and then a truly radical presentation.
    As I see it, being "radical" is 25% message and 75% presentation. Saying that no one is perfect is only going part way.
    And maybe being radical isn't Padrón's goal. Who knows. It's still a great message.

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  2. I agree with you Dave on the 25% message and 75% presentation. Some people just don't want to dig deep for that message and need it spoon fed with the presentation.

    Oh and one thing I forgot to mention that I meant to discuss was my desire to see a homosexual storyline. It really frustrates me that the gay community is not represented in a medium as pervasive as telenovelas. This is another way that I hope the genre will evolve.

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  3. I don't think it was such a bad thing that the six protagonists of "La Mujer Perfecta were all beautiful women. I think that it actually helps prove the point that while these women are beautiful, they are still searching for something else because they aren't satisfied with their state of beauty. For instance, the character with Autism was extremely gorgeous, yet her battle with the disorder makes her an imperfect woman. Then there was the beautiful actress who was later diagnosed with breast cancer. No one is perfect and these women proved that.

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  4. I think Padrón approached La Mujer Perfecta appropriately. This sounds terrible, but I'm speaking from a consumption standpoint: unless the girl with autism was hot, then who would listen to her speak? It wouldn't matter how ingenuous her/Padrón's words were - the telenovela must aim for the audience's attention first. Venezuela and the WORLD are trapped in a machismo society, so any breaking-mold messages that a writer wants to convey to his or her audience must fill the mold first. Then he or she can guide the audience to what's outside the box.

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