MovieChat Forums > The Mindy Project (2012) Discussion > Why does she talk and act like a confuse...

Why does she talk and act like a confused little girl

posted 9 years ago by tereseatbiocybernaut
8 replies | jump to latest

Her character is bratty and her voice is this tiny little diminished whiny person who has a "I was a victim and now I'm just stuck up" attitude. It's a terrible version of a successful woman and it sends the wrong message. This show basically says if you want yo be a successful woman you will be socially awkward if you are smart and you will be more liked if you act stupid and talk like a little girl.
It's sad to see another washed up version of this story, each one more excessive than the last.
I'm sad for leading roles for women in entertainment. Very few really good ones exist.

[–] Katje1313 9 years ago

This is all your opinion. Why can't there be women of all shapes, sizes, colors, dress styles, and voice registers who are successful? She's clearly great at her job and doesn't feel the need to impress people because the work speaks for itself. As for acting stupid, this is supposed to be a comedy. Maybe you should lighten up a little and just enjoy the terrific lines about being a woman in this day and age. She addresses all sorts of issues with these short little scenes and lines that make me fall of the couch laughing because they are so true.

[–] tereseatbiocybernaut 9 years ago

To be fair, Master of None, which I enjoy, the main character does the same thing- he talks like a little kid. And, the Incredible Kimmy Schmidt (which is awful in my opinion) does it to a much worse extent. It is used in comedy- like acting stupid is as well- that some can pull off while others use it in place of having to find the humor organically in the character and the scenes.
I disagree with your opinion that the main character, Mindy, doesn't feel the need to impress people because of her job. To me she comes off as really insecure and in search of external praise, and when she doesn't get it she seems rebellious and even a bit self-loathing or spiteful.
I don't have a problem with her "shape,size, color, dress style" and I don't think her little girl voice is authentic. It's not that her voice is naturally high, it's that she uses an affection, like she is imitating a tiny little person or a child.
And, yes, of course this is my opinion. We are on a message board about a tv series. I am using the message boards as intended, to share my thoughts and opinion about it. If I thought it was a great show, I would use the message boards to share my opinion too. You might want to take your own advice and lighten up. Just because someone criticizes your favorite show doesn't mean you need to take it seriously or personally.
This thread was created to discuss a seriously annoying aspect of this show. Your generic defense of the show doesn't really speak to the specific criticism I made of it.

[–] Katje1313 9 years ago

It was the 'confused little girl' that caught my attention. It speaks to a judgmental view that women have of each other. Feminism is all well and good, but so often, the women put each other down with just that kind of stereotyping. It's especially annoying when the character is meant to be over the top, as most characters in comedies are. At least this character is presented as someone who can take care of herself, both professionally and personally.
It's not my favorite show by a long shot, I just get tired of all the Mindy-bashing. 'Oh, she slept with people, she's a slut.' 'Oh, she slept with people who are not also of Indian heritage, she's a racist.' 'Oh, she wanted a child and now she wants to work, she's a feminazi.' And now, she's a confused little girl on top of all the other stuff. Why feel so threatened when a character on TV (!!!) does something you don't agree with? Why so judgmental?

[–] tereseatbiocybernaut 9 years ago

If you want a truly good female role model, don't look to fake doctors on tv. That's why you are finding it so frustrating. People are obviously responding to what they see... I personally don't know anything about "Mindy bashing" because the show wouldn't have been on my radar if it hadn't been advertised on my streaming service.... but from your characterization of it I think you are making a mistake to pretend her character is "real" and deserves respect as if she were a real woman working as a doctor.
What it is is a television show and this is an imdb message board where people talk about the show. You are treating this like Mindy is real and that she is actually being criticized. Every part of her character is contrived. That is an actress. Please stop defending her likes he is a real person.
I think feminism is great. Looking at tv doctors as role models is not going to help you or any other woman be more professional. It's unrealistic. Please, don't hold her up as some type of example. Find a successful woman in REAL LIFE to look up to and be your example. It is the real women that need support. Mindy's supporters are simply just fans, and you are obviously a big fan. Nothing wrong with that. I just don't like to see women confused by thinking they are feminists because they are a fan of a comedic actress playing a doctor and treating her character like its a real person. That's not anything to do with feminism.

[–] Katje1313 9 years ago

I just don't like to see women confused by thinking they are feminists because they are a fan of a comedic actress playing a doctor and treating her character like its a real person. That's not anything to do with feminism.

Not really sure why that is what you got out of this, but it certainly made me laugh a lot.

Pretending characters on TV have no influence on what people think is misguided. Just take a look over at the Modern Family board at all the people saying they finally got their parents to understand gay marriage.

I'm not looking for any role model, having just sold my company. I just feel it's a shame that women, both fictional and real, are judged all the time, and from all sides. The examples I gave about slut shaming and racism go for so many people, again both real and fictional.

This has been my point from the first: why so judgmental? Within the context of feminism, your post dismissed a woman for not living up to your standards. You now say fictional characters don't count, but then why post in the first place? It speaks to the real life need to put women down.

[–] lamont-hard 9 years ago

You Say...I think feminism is great. Looking at tv doctors as role models is not going to help you or any other woman be more professional. It's unrealistic. Please, don't hold her up as some type of example. Find a successful woman in REAL LIFE to look up to and be your example. It is the real women that need support. Mindy's supporters are simply just fans, and you are obviously a big fan. Nothing wrong with that. I just don't like to see women confused by thinking they are feminists because they are a fan of a comedic actress playing a doctor and treating her character like its a real person. That's not anything to do with feminism.

This is a very good reply, I can't understand why women think because another women is called something [derogatory] it applies/implies across the board. And they ultimately feel the character isn't being treated fairly. I wish more women would start to speak up and challenge there sisters when something isn't as they might see it. Just like you did in a respectful manner.

[–] johnnymonsarrat 9 years ago

It's an intentional jab at self involved women. Just like Stephen Colbert played a delusional conservative talk show host.

Believe me, if the actress were like this she wouldn't make fun of herself in this way. But it might be a playful extension of her own worst habits.

[–] 9 years ago

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