"Put-on-a-show Kinda Girl"

The first thought that came into my mind upon reading this unit's theme, Femme Fatale, was Britney Spears, whose 2011 record is named Femme Fatale. In reading Mainon and Ursini's article, I was again reminded of Spears after reading that the femme fatale of And God Created Woman, Juliete had an affair with "the womanizer Antoine" because one of Spears' songs from her album "Circus" is named "Womanizer" (183).1, 2 The language and pictures in this article also reminded me of Miley Cyrus; the authors write that Juliete "dances uninhibitedly" (184). Uninhibitedly means "not inhibited; unrestrained."3 In turn, unrestrained means "not subjected (or subject) to restraint, esp. in respect of action or conduct; uninhibited; spontaneous, natural."4  These definitions bring to mind Cyrus' 2010 single from her album of the same name, "Can't Be Tamed." The lyrics echo Mainon and Ursini's claims about the nature of the femme fatale. The writers comment that Bardot, an iconic femme fatale, "drove men to distraction" and that "no one is immune" to her allure, while Cyrus' sings, "Every guy, everywhere just gives me mad attention" in the song "Can't Be Tamed" (181 - 2). Cyrus further describes her unrestrained deportment when she belts in "4x4," from her most recent album "Bangerz," "I'm a female rebel, can't you see?"

I think performance plays a role in the identity of the femme fatale. In "Circus," Spears sings,

"There's only two types of people in the world                                                                     The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe                                                               Well baby I'm a put-on-a-show kinda girl                                                                             ...                                                                                                                                                   I'm like the ringleader                                                                                                           I call the shots" 

In the 1988 version of And God Created Woman, Robin puts on a show as a part of her plan to escape prison; she goes through with the actions of a wedding ceremony (not the meaning) and even follows through with a family photo shoot to appease her parole officer. There is also an artistic piece to the femme fatale as a performer. Robin sought a life filled with music and was even part of a band. Does the association of a carefree life with the career of a musician cross over to the carefree life of a femme fatale?

Another similarity that brought to mind both Spears and Cyrus is their album covers. When printing the Mainon and Ursini article, I first noticed the images.

Left image from Manion and Ursini, 4. Right image from iTunes Circus.

Rita Hayworth and Britney Spears are both situated in a slightly seated position with soft fabrics surrounding them, and both are wearing a seductive dress with big waves in their hair. The similar portrayal of femme fatale and contemporary musician is apparent with Miley Cyrus, as well.

Left image from Manion and Ursini 185. Right image from iTunes Bangerz.

Both Brigette Bardot and Miley Cyrus are photographed from the back, with only their face, hands, and the area just under their rears exposed. This exposition of skin draws the attention to their rears, increasing their sex appeal. Also, the view from behind is a bit enigmatic since portraits are normally done head-on. We cannot see their entire face partially due to the stance, but also (in Bardot's case) because of obstructive clothing. Cyrus and Bardot seem to be wearing feminized versions of men's clothing, suggesting not only their involvement with men, but also the power they have gained as being femme fatales. It noteworthy that other versions of "Bangerz" show Cyrus in a frontal power stance, with her legs spread out, or covering her bare chest with her arms.

                                                                                                                                                                              
1.  Rebecca DeMornay, Vincent Spano, Frank Langella, and Roger Vadim, And God Created Woman, Stamford, Conn.: Vestron Video, 1988.
2. Dominique Mainon and James Ursini, "Chapter Three: The Femme Fatale Is Silenced in the U.S.: The Rise of the International Femme Fatale" in Femme Fatale: Cinema's Most Unforgettable Lethal Ladies (Milwaukee, Limelight Editions, 2009) 4 and 181 - 5.
3. "uninˈhibited, adj.". OED Online. March 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com.proxy.library.nd.edu/view/Entry/214566?redirectedFrom=uninhibitedly (accessed March 31, 2015).4. "unrestrained, adj. and n.". OED Online. March 2015. Oxford University Press. http://www.oed.com.proxy.library.nd.edu/view/Entry/217225?redirectedFrom=unrestrained (accessed March 31, 2015).