Really, I don’t care if there are differences or not, nature or nuture, What I do care about is the fact that one approach to life is denigrated, while the other taken as the highest example of the art: women cook; men are chefs. Men are authors; women are female authors. Etc. As Steinem said, the addition of the adjective is intended as a diminuition of the honorific.

I am also reminded of the way speakers are introduced: May I present the lovely Mrs. So-and-so, wife and mother of two darling girls. And by the way she is a professor of physics at the U. of Wherever. The “lovely” and the “wife” and “mother” all remind us to put her in her biological frame, in which women are gauged by attractiveness and domestic utility.

I am not amused.

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” was clever. You must see that movie two or three times to get it.

The writers could have done better with the “Wimbledon” story, seeing they spent so much on special effects. I mean, how standard is the stock dad?

I thought “Match Point,” the Woody Allen movie with Scarlett Johansson, was better, if a bit operatic. Allen gets that way. Hammers us over the head with that or Jazz. “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” same way. Still, he’s incredibly brilliant, writes it all.

I’m not a trapped man, but I want to be, before I turn fifty.

Creechman

Eric wrote: “I’d guess a lot of men find the idea of reading a book pretty unmanly. Seems to me a lot of male writers are actually a little uneasy about that. I’ve seen male writers who insist they are really businessmen, as if business is a more macho profession than writing books that real men are not going to read.”

I’m certain the idea that anything a man engages in must earn money, or be practical, or be treated as a business is simply a carryover from outdated traditional roles, and that men are as trapped by roles from the past as women, in expectations that are handed down to us, or trained into us from the cradle.

We all (including me) carry around these knee-jerk responses to new ideas. I think it’s good for each of us to examine our reactions.

Creechman, I know you’re interested in tennis as well. Have you ever seen the movie Wimbledon? It’s one of my favorite romantic comedies, and one of my favorite sports-related movies. I suppose some would call it a “chick flick” — but why?

Romantic Comedies at this point require screen writers to really hone skills. I find it fascinating to watch how much better these movies get.

Cathleen — You’re very welcome. Your book still has an honored place on my shelf, to be reread whenever I need a boost. Thanks so much for stopping by. Best wishes with your move to Paris. How exciting!

And thanks, too, for your entry on Gloria’s wonderful suggestion re “prick flicks.” Pure genius!

All good wishes, Cathleen

PS My newest book, about developing community through movies, is THE MOVIE LOVERS’ CLUB: HOW TO START YOUR OWN FILM GROUP.