***SPOILER ALERT***
If you can get past the bad clothes and the big hair this is a great film. It portrays the change in roles for women during the 80s. It is a great film just based on plot and character development (although it is somewhat predictable), but the cinematography, direction and casting make this movie something more. In particular this film uses colour and reflections to represent and symbolise the changing role of the main character Tess. The film transitions from Tess as an outspoken and strident young secretary that is basically told that she acts "above her station" so to speak. But the film is more complex than that.
It shows that Tess becomes secretary for Katherine (Sigourney Weaver) and she represents a more high flying style of woman. Class is another major theme of the film. Katherine represents the powerful, seductress who is cut throat and will do anything (including steal Tess's idea) to get ahead in business. Katherine has multiple depictions in the film, she is the male stereotype, the passive woman, the sexual (seductress) woman and business woman. And she is frequently and consciously dressed in red. In particular she wears red to the party near the beginning of the film where Tess is like a servant serving dumplings as a welcome to the business party. Then she becomes the "damsel" where she is skiing and then breaks her leg and gets annoyed at being helpless. However when she calls Tess later on she is shown being pampered and enjoying this "invalid" role getting her nails done etc. Later we learn that she is "Kiki" or "Katie" to her lovers (Harrison Ford) and family. While I would identify Katherine's character as the villain she is multifaceted and complex version of the "woman as other". After Weaver's break out success in Alien (1979) I believe she chose roles that were of significant interest to her and particularly related to complex female roles.
In terms of Tess's character, she is a volatile and impetuous character at the start. She is depicted as suppressed and far too outspoken, even when she is in the right. However Tess tries to play the game the way it's set (i.e. the male way or the idea that if you work hard you'll go places) and fails even working for/ with Katherine. I feel the most pivotal scene of the film is where Katherine tells Tess that their work together is a "two way street" however this soon is revealed to be hypocritical. Tess becomes disheartened that a woman that appears to be all powerful and in the role she desires has played her and stolen her idea and is just like the men in business.
However Tess learns some valuable lessons working for and "becoming" Katherine. Katherine tells Tess she has to look "classy". Costume design is significant and over the course of the film she becomes more "classy" and in grey tones similar to the men's suits.
Also Tess is shown looking in mirrors or reflections frequently throughout the film (see below). For instance while at the wedding in the bathroom, looking in the sign's reflection at the Trask meeting and finally in the elevator reflection when she is fired and basically pitches the deal. Tess is referred to "As a total imposter" by her friend and fellow secretary played by Joan Cusack. The reflections (not so subtly) depict how Tess plays the role of Katherine and becomes integrated as a woman in business by the end of the film. Tess herself tells her friend she has "A head for business and a bod for sin". Tess wants to be strong, sexy and successful. Tess achieves this new idea of woman by the end of the film. This is referenced where her new secretary is seen with her feet up in Tess's office but Tess assumes that she is the secretary instead. In a play on the early pivotal scene I mentioned Tess refuses to let her "secretary" get her get coffee unless she's getting some for herself, she resists the "two way street" line. And for her part the secretary says "I prefer to be called 'assistant'" thus breaking down the stereotype of secretary roles of women.
At the wedding Tess is shown with her reflection in the bathroom while pretending to be Katherine.
Before the meeting at Trask Tess looks into the sign.
While the plot and dialogue of the film detail these changing roles and purpose of women the cinematography belies this. There is the scene where Jack (Ford) makes Tess her lunch and coffee before her new job (see below), playing as a joke on the role of mother even down to having her lunchbox labelled with her initials (it's playfulness is based on mothering and patronising notions). While this is a funny scene, Tess and women are once again the butt of the joke. It once again subjugates women as care givers being not real "work" and that men can only play that role non seriously.
Jack packs lunch and coffee for Tess.
In addition the shot of Jack and Tess after the success of their business deal shows Jack (Ford) as literally above Tess. He is positioned on a literal higher step and level on the stairs (see above and below). This is so disappointing. It makes Tess desire a dominant man rather than have equality and positions her as in his hands in terms of having to trust him to believe she didn't steal Katherine's idea.
A note on music, it is way too on the nose "never seen you look so lovely tonight" aka "the lady in red" creating an obvious alignment to Katherine's costuming in red.
Party at beginning of film with Katherine in red dress.
Katherine at end of film in red business jacket.
A further note on costuming, there is a hilarious sequence where Tess is cleaning Katherine's apartment braless in just underwear in high heels doing the vacuuming. A joke on a reference in the dialogue where her friend mentions dancing around in underwear listening to Madonna.
A note on language and dialogue - Tess says in my favourite line "I am not steak, you can't just order me". She is referred to by the businessmen as a "sport" which is often a male style name/pro noun. In a change when Katherine finds out Tess's ploy she calls her a "little slut" positioning her as a seductress both stealing her boyfriend/ lover (Ford) and a "goddam bitch secretary" which I couldn't help but chuckle to myself at as a definite play on the line from Aliens. Jack (Ford) also says about Tess "she's the man" positioning Tess as male/man stereotype as businessman.
I could say more about notions of the "other woman" and adultery etc, but I think I've covered enough for the moment that is of interest to me. Also I haven't even mentioned that Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin are in this movie! But I wanted to focus on the main women in this film.
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