Film Analysis 'What Women Want' Essay Example

The film analysis, about 'What Women Want,' explores key concepts of regarding relationships in the society to inform on how building relationships among various parties are challenging. While everybody in the society would desire to build successfully a romantic or friendship relationships, the desires are often faced with lots of challenges that could push away individuals that one would dearly need in their lives. The challenges thus pose a concern on how one can enrich and deepen connections with others to make the relationships a success. With reference to the film 'What Women Want' the essay explores the communication key concepts of gender norms and its impacts on relationships, love display, interpersonal conflict, self-disclosure and identity management. The film is a perfect reflection of communication key concepts in the society based on different social contexts.

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The 'What Women Film' features a male chauvinist Chicago advertising executive who is experienced at selling male products. Although a chauvinist, Nick expects to get a big promotion. He is oblivious of the fact that business opportunities, as well as sales of products, should be expanded to cater to women. According to him, women are just figures for seduction. Being a chauvinist, also considered as a gender norm, does not let Nick stay in a single relationship (Routley and Routley, 98). Instead, he is divorced and does not give any credit to women thoughts until he gets to his senses. The element of male chauvinism, little value for feminine gender and divorce depicts the concept of gender norms and its impacts on relationships.

Nick's early childhood was based on a sexy lifestyle that prompted him to grow into a chauvinist that can barely hold on to a relationship. Having been raised up by his mother who performed as a showgirl, Nick often hung out in dressing rooms where dancers with skimpy costumes gathered. The love display that Nick was subjected to during his early childhood ages prompted his old age behavior in which he could seduce multiple women. The love display concept is also depicted when he organizes a campaign to feature bikini-clad models. However, Nick views the models as sex objects awaiting propositioning; a thought that is supported by his friend when he tells Nick that he is best in getting a woman into bed than any other person on earth.

Before Nick develops a genuine love for the newly hired personnel, Darcy, he feels jealous of her position and authorities in the company. Although he wants a real relationship with Darcy, jealously stands in the way. He attempts to undermine Darcy's authority by engaging in deception (Hart 10). He evens assumes credit for ideas that are not his own. The fact that Nick works towards undermining Darcy's efforts, yet they work in the same setting, is a depiction of interpersonal conflict. Interpersonal conflict within workplace happens whenever one party interferes with another party's efforts towards achieving certain goals (Jones 411). Interpersonal conflict is fostered by the differing values between the two parties and the differing interests.

Until Nick falls a victim of a severe electric shock, he has little understanding of the people around him, especially women, as well as himself. It is after the shock that he develops a telepathic ability that makes him understand himself, the women and realize the need for value to oneself. An ultimate goal of the spiritual ability that Nick develops is helped him learn about his perceived presenting and ideal self. He earns of the need to respect women, starting with her daughter, and even regrets having been involved in sexual activities that let people see him naked (Cox, Michael and James McCoy, 2007). Nicks realization closely relates to the elements of self-disclosure. Self-disclosure entails sharing of information feelings as well as attitudes with other people so that they understand whoever someone really is. Nick's apologies to Darcy in relation to deception and taking credit for her ideas is an affirmation of the key concept of self-disclosure (Jones 454). From being a chauvinist and sexual exploitation person, he transforms into a person of great help to a colleague that battles with relationship problems. He also develops a love for her daughter and voices genuine compliments about her.

Identity management strategy is also a key concept of the film. The strategy postulates that the ways in which individual changes to perceive himself with regards to social context play a significant role in maintaining an identity. The theory points out to Nick's change of perception regarding women and his significant figure in society. He is subject to maintain his identity by respecting the social changes (Trenholm, Sarah, and Arthur Jensen, 2008). Among various ways of maintaining identity, he should maintain his reshaped distinctive societal identity.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the film 'What Women Want' is rich in various key concepts relating to communication. The film captures a society characterized by diverse concepts including chauvinism, gender norms, and interpersonal conflicts. The film, however, captures certain significant key concepts relating to communication and societal challenges. Among the key concepts include adverse impacts of a chauvinist, gender norms and its impacts on marriages, love display, interpersonal conflicts, and identity management strategies.

Works Cited

Cox, Michael H., and James McCoy. "What Women Want." (2007).

Hart, Wendy. "What women want." Cornell Hospitality Quarterly 34.5 (1993): 10.

Jones, Richard. Communication in the real world: An introduction to communication studies. The Saylor Foundation, 2013.

Routley, R., and V. Routley. "Human chauvinism." Environmental philosophy (1980): 96-189.

Trenholm, Sarah, and Arthur Jensen. Interpersonal communication. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.