Although Sadie Benning’s film entitled “It Wasn’t Love” is narrated from the perspective of a young lesbian, I am not convinced that the film is completely successful in subverting dominant images of masculinity or conquering the male gaze. I do believe that the film is successful in representing the possibility for romantic love to exist outside of traditional heterosexual relationships. Additionally, the characters of the film are presented as powerful and commanding, opening up the opportunity for young women to identify themselves with authoritative female characters. However, there was one scene which I found particularly troublesome. When the camera zooms in on a woman’s mouth sucking a thumb, I was instantly reminded of fellatio. I felt as if I was embodying the male gaze because this scene seemed to visually tease the viewer by simulating a sexual experience. Perhaps the image was supposed to mock the male gaze, however I felt trapped within the masculine perspective. I eagerly waited for the scene to change so that I would not have to stare at this uncomfortable scenario and could regain to my identity as a female viewer.
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