• more about #rachelcooke
    Hana Maru, used up old slutbag on the pole: Did anyone else see Slumdog Millionaire? Great, deeply affecting, funny, suspenseful movie, but definitely fails the Bechdel Test. Also, the one wom... more »
    Macloserboy: I love Debra Winger too, but checking out is simply not the solution to a problem and that's essentially what she did. Say what you want about Rosean... more »
    Mafalda para Presidente: If it makes her feel any better, I'm writing *almost* daily on my blog. That counts for something, right? more »
    ceejeemcbeegee is not here: it's a bit unfair to put the burden on female screenwriters alone, knowing that many of them wouldn't have final say over casting No, it's not. She's... more »
    Trixie from Toronto: I have loved her ever since she punched Shirley McLaine in the face on the set of Terms of Endearment. I wish she'd make a major comeback although app... more »
    Lelielle: one of the main problems is that women are written as "women" first and as a character second, one of the best female heroes- Ellen Ripley was origina... more »
    Diziet_Sma: I saw Rachel Getting Married last night, and I think it's been vastly overrated - no comparison to Festen, which has similar themes. It was great to s... more »
    N i s t h a: Getting women to write women roles does not solve the problem. It encourages it because it encourages the gender dichotomy and the idea that only wom... more »
    The Plain People of Ireland (formerly cheerfulp is always...): Debra Winger sounds superfabulous, and I'm not just saying that because she is exactly (to the day) ten years my senior. But could we please stop refe... more »
    sassyredhead: I have an abundant love for Ms. Winger. She starred in my favorite traditional romantic movie ever...An Officer and a Gentleman and also my favorite w... more »
    rednrowdy: perhaps winger's point is worded wrong. i don't think she's blaming women as a whole for not writing enough, but she's pointing out fault in the righ... more »
    Ulookinatmyjunk, JOC: I feel the same way about women of color. Women of color are not prominent on screen no matter what their age. The only way to show that our lives and... more »
    Jello Mix: I would go further and say there aren't many good roles for either gender because there aren't many good movies. After watching "His Girl Friday", som... more »
    Penny: Also, Hortense, this is incredibly well written. Especially this bit: Hollywood needs to understand that women do not fade out at age 25; they do not... more »
    Penny: She's always felt like a second mom to me, because I watched Terms of Endearment at least 200 times when I was young. Everything about that movie mak... more »
    DangerMouse: So... chick flicks are usually rom-coms, so I think that mean we need more movies about women that are not about women and men. Is it that women aren'... more »
    KathrynwithaY loves Joan Collins: There will always be complex roles out there for men to play, but for women? They get stuck with the hooker, victim, or doormat consolation prizes. Or... more »
    kate!: i got mad love for debra winger. she's sort of a goddess in my family--urban cowboy, terms of endearment--we fucking love those movies and love her, too. more »
  • #girlsonfilm

    Debra Winger: "Women Don't Write Enough"

    Debra Winger, who has become a bit of a poster girl (against her will) for the difficulties women face in Hollywood as they age, sat down with Rachel Cooke to discuss the decisions she's made.