“You go, Glen Coco!” – Damian
When I say mean girls I am not talking about bullies, toxic friends, or any of that. I am talking about the classic 2004 film starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and more icons.
The reason I am talking about this is because it is mean girl’s day because, on ‘October 3rd, he asked me what day it was.’
Now, most probably look at this movie and think wow, this is such a stupid movie and stars some dumb blondes. Some of that might be true, but it also has some really important lessons that are just under the surface.
Lesson 1: Stop Judging A Book By Its Cover
Time and time again throughout the movie people’s assumptions are proved wrong. It is a good reminder that first impressions can often lead to blind and unnecessary judgments of others. This does nothing but harm not just the two parties involved but the communities surrounding them. Because your friends, friends, friends impact everything you think, see, and do. So watch out.
Lesson 2: Be Confident & Do Not Play Dumb
Since I have a little sister I get a front-row seat of this child and her friends approaching the unprecedented time of puberty. The confidence is dropping as rapidly as the hormones are pumping. It kills me to see girls think that they cannot be smart if they want a guy. That if they like someone they have to dumb themselves down to be below their level as to not intimidate.
Confidence in who you are and your intelligence will take you so far in life and the sooner you realize and start working on it the better. I know that I wish I could sit my younger self down and have a chat with her about this.
Lesson 3: Girls Supporting Girls
Ms. Norbury said it herself “You all have got to stop calling yourselves sluts and whores…” Female empowerment is key, it is needed, and it is sometimes really difficult to find. Someone else’s success does not diminish your own.
Everyone deserves to have a crown and if you catch a queen who’s crown if falling make sure to help her out. Cady said, “Calling somebody else fat won’t make you any skinnier. Calling someone stupid doesn’t make you any smarter.”
Lesson 4: You Are Who You Hang Out With
Throughout the movie you see a quite and rather nice girl become what some might consider a monster, not literally of course but figuratively. The main reason it happens is because of who she was hanging out with.
No matter what you believe those who you surround yourself with shape who you become. Do not be ashamed of leaving a group because you are heading in a different direction than them.
Lesson 5: Be Genuinely Kind
One of the quotes from the movie that has actual substance is “All you can do in life is to try to solve the problem in front of you.” You never know what others are dealing with. Life likes to throw curveballs at the worst and least expected times.
Having genuine kindness, not fake kindness can change someone’s day, can make someone’s entire mental state better, and is just good. Just being a good person is all it takes.
Conclusion
I’m not sure if that is enough to convince you that Mean Girl is a movie worth your time because it is mostly fluff but as you can hopefully see there is some actual substance within all of the fluff. You may have to dig for a bit, but the lesson you can find and learn while watching the movie are not half bad.