In class, we talked a lot about how Bridget flipped stereotypes of women and how this impacted our viewing of the film. The majority of the class seemed to agree that if Bridget were a man the character would simply be a malicious jerk. As a man, Bridget would lose her cunning charm. However, I think it is important to also consider the role of Mike and how he flips the male stereotype. How would he be seen if he were a female character being tricked by a male Bridget? Mike’s character is constantly being tested and he often appears as being weak and insecure. He begs for Bridget’s real attention and fears she is using him for sex. In the end, he seems to be willing to do anything for his love for Bridget. Bridget seems to represent this unobtainable goal for Mike of breaking out of his small town. In this way, I would say that Mike explicitly demonstrates female stereotypes in a relationship. Women are constantly being criticized for being too clingy after sex and using men as a source of self identification. By having Mike, a male character, play this role John Dahl, the director, is able to flip stereotypes in a way that force the viewer to see how ridiculous they actually are.
I was also thinking about how if Mike were a woman his behavior would be clingy. He is constantly saying to Bridget, “What’s wrong with you? Why won’t you let me in?” This behavior for a man is seen as charming, affectionate, and persistent. However, in a woman it’s considered obsessive and creepy. According to Mike, Bridget’s behavior and the way she views sex must be because she’s “repressing something” or “not showing her true feelings;” however, when a man treats sex as a meaningless thing, no one ever accuses him of not being in touch with his emotions, it’s just the way he is.