Speed Racer, that Feminist Masterpiece

ON SPEED Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci (Photo: Getty Images) The Tribeca Film Festival closed Sunday night with the sensation that was Speed Racer. Despite being based on the Japanese anime for kids, the movie has a few serious plot lines thrown in, including one about throwing races for political reasons to better stock options. Not exactly laugh out loud material for a six-year-old.

Star Christina Ricci also kept it adult on the red carpet, drawing an analogy from her character Trixie, Speed Racer's gal pal, to feminism: "Trixie is Speed's childhood sweetheart. He's his best friend and confidant; his partner in crime. In some ways, she's the feminist ideal model. She's as girly as she wants to be, she's into her hair and outfits and makeup ... she has a special outfit for each activity, but at the same time she's into all the things the boys are. She's never judged or given the irritating title of 'tomboy' and that's important for young women. Young women tend to watch the reaction of men around older women and they see if someone's judged, positively or negatively, in too strong a way. Young women shy away from making those kinds of decisions." So, there. Lest anyone think her the token hot chick in the film.