Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Quirky Trope or Negative Stereotype?

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Why we associate this quirky character type with early 2000s films
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The early 2000s introduced audiences to tons of cult classic rom-coms, like Elizabethtown , Garden State , and 500 Days of Summer . In each of these films, the female lead has a quirky, frothy personality, often acting as a contrast to the male protagonist’s serious, no-nonsense attitude. As fate would have it, these two crazy kids fall in love, and the manic pixie dream girl character ultimately shows her humorless beau how to live life with a little more whimsy. But what exactly is a manic pixie dream girl? Keep reading to learn all about this character type in fiction, from lovable qualities to potential downsides of the trope.

Manic Pixie Dream Girl Meaning

"Manic Pixie Dream Girl" is a quirky female character type in fiction. She’s offbeat, unique, and whimsical, and she’s often paired with a serious, no-nonsense male lead. Notable manic pixie dream girls include Clare in Elizabethtown , Sam in Garden State , and Penny in Almost Famous .

Section 1 of 6:

What is a manic pixie dream girl?

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  1. Coined by film critic Nathan Rabin in 2007, the term was originally used to describe Kirsten Dunst’s character in Elizabethtown (2005). According to Rabin, “pixie” comes from the “otherworldly” way that these characters appear and act (bubbly, trusting, and whimsical). [1]
    • In his essay about the rom-com, Rabin explained that the manic pixie dream girl (MPDG) exists “solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directors to teach broodingly soulful young men to embrace life and its infinite mysteries and adventures.”
    • In other words, MPDGs are often a sort of male fantasy in these movies, rather than fully fleshed-out characters. They exist to save the male lead from depression or boredom with their fun, upbeat, and eccentric personalities.
    • After noticing similar characters in other movies, like Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Sam Feehan in Garden State , Rabin realized that this was a new archetype in film. We’ll go over some of the most famous MPDGs below!
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Section 2 of 6:

Manic Pixie Dream Girl Examples

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  1. 1
    Clementine Kruczynski from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Though this character’s place among manic pixie dream girls has been debated recently, Clementine Kruczynski held the title of ultimate MPDG for a long time. Her bold, ever-changing hair color choices were used to symbolize her non-conformist attitude, as well as her indecisive and unpredictable nature. Her more serious counterpart, Joel, falls in love with Clementine’s sense of adventure, but their relationship doesn’t turn out to be all rainbows and butterflies. [2]
  2. 2
    Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) Like Clementine, Ramona has different hair in practically every scene, cementing bold hair choices as a classic MPDG trait. Played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ramona sets her love interest, Scott, on a quest to defeat all her evil exes. Scott is smitten with Ramona’s unique personality, and the rest is MPDG history. [3]
  3. 3
    Penny Lane from Almost Famous (2000) Most people are familiar with one of Kate Hudson’s most iconic roles: Penny Lane. A charming and trusting groupie to an up-and-coming rock band, Penny is the object of William Miller’s affections. Played by Jason Fugit, Miller is a journalist who can’t understand the allure of life on a tour bus, and he’s clearly the opposite of Penny. Despite their differences, he can’t help but be fascinated by Penny, and he’s there for her when she needs him. [4]
  4. 4
    Summer Finn from 500 Days of Summer (2009) This dramedy follows Joseph Gordon Levitt’s character, Tom, as he navigates his obsessive crush on his new co-worker, Summer. Summer, played by Zooey Deschanel, is the textbook MPDG, complete with folksy singing, vintage outfits, and public oddball behavior, like yelling “penis” at the top of her lungs in a park. Is this the ultimate serious guy-manic pixie dream girl dynamic? Yes. Does it crash and burn miserably? Maybe.
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Section 3 of 6:

Manic Pixie Dream Girl Traits

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  1. Being quirky can be a real turn-on for these fictional male protagonists. This quirkiness can come from something as simple as having a unique hobby, haircut, or pet, or it can be a deep part of the character’s personality. For example, in Garden State , Natalie Portman’s character needs to make a silly sound accompanied by a silly dance every time she feels unoriginal. If that isn’t some serious quirkiness, we don’t know what is! [5]
  2. MPDGs are all about finding reasons to enjoy all that life has to offer. They see the world through the kaleidoscopic lens of a kooky gal, and they’re endlessly whimsical and upbeat. For example, Kirsten Dunst’s character in Elizabethtown moves through the world with a disarming optimism, complete with long bubble baths, witty banter with strangers, and a need to say whatever thought floats into her mind. [6]
  3. MPDGs are different—they “aren’t like other girls”. This typically means that they have an eclectic fashion sense, funky hairstyles, and a unique aesthetic in general. This doesn’t mean that they’re not beautiful—they’re usually played by stunning Hollywood starlets—but they present themselves in a slightly offbeat way, meaning that their beauty requires a second look and an open mind.
  4. So our MPDG needs some saving— who doesn’t? Despite her fanciful point of view and thrifted cow fur coat, this unlikely heroine needs the stable guidance of her stern and stoic male counterpart (at least within the world of these early 2000s rom-coms). Luckily, the male lead needs her spirited aimlessness just as much, so in the mind of the filmmaker, it’s the perfect pairing.
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Section 4 of 6:

Manic Pixie Dream Girl Character Flaws

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  1. MPDGs are not exactly known for being discerning, strategic, or assertive in their decision-making. In the worlds of these films, manic pixie dream girls tend to be more naive than most, fluttering around without a care. While this may seem like a fun and carefree way to live, it can set up these characters to fail, as they are one plot twist away from having the rug pulled out from under them. In other words, MPDGs have little experience in the “real world” and often suffer because of it. [7]
  2. Manic pixie dream girls are more likely to be frolicking in a field with a hummingbird for a sidekick than they are to help you move, water your plants while you’re away, or pay a single utility bill. Being reliable, grounded, and emotionally stable isn’t really the MPDG’s cup of tea. So, while you probably can’t rely on her to drive you to the airport at 6 AM, you can rely on her to make you laugh, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need!
  3. One of the biggest critiques of the MPDG archetype is the fact that she only exists as an emotional support character for the male protagonist. Everything she does, from her colorful explanations about why art is important to her unrivaled optimism about love, is to inspire the male lead and propel the narrative forward. She seems to have no real motivations of her own, which leads to a flat character with no real depth. [8]
    • This trait has specifically been called out for being sexist, as the male protagonist is typically the more developed character.
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Section 5 of 6:

Is “manic pixie dream girl” problematic?

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  1. Rabin himself recognized that the term was sexist, since it often reduced female characters to props instead of actual, multidimensional people. People also began using “manic pixie dream girl” as a blanket term for quirky female characters, even ones that didn’t completely fit the bill. For example, Diane Keaton’s portrayal of Annie Hall in the film of the same name is often viewed as far too complicated and nuanced to fall into the MPDG category, yet many people believed her to be one. [9]
    • The phrase has slowly started to phase out of common use, as many filmmakers and film enthusiasts believe it’s no longer a useful or inclusive label.
Section 6 of 6:

Evolution of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl

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  1. In response to criticisms of earlier manic pixie dream girl characters, filmmakers have made efforts to improve on the trope’s shortcomings. Many have chosen to dive more deeply into their female protagonist’s past to explain why they are the way they are. Others have decided to explore specific mental health conditions, like depression or borderline personality disorder (BPD), to give their characters more depth and nuance. Examples of these newer twists on the MPDG include Alaska from Looking for Alaska and Grace from Chemical Hearts . [10]
    • In Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind , Kate Winslet plays the token MPDG, but revolts against the stereotype, delivering this iconic monologue: “I’m not a concept. Too many guys think I’m a concept, or I complete them, or I’m going to ‘make them alive,’ but I’m just a f****d up girl who’s looking for my peace of mind. Don’t assign me yours.” [11]
    • This quote perfectly encapsulates both the criticism of the trope and the attitude of current filmmakers trying to subvert and improve upon it—it’s interesting that it just so happens to be delivered by one of the first characters to be called an MPDG!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.salon.com/2014/07/15/im_sorry_for_coining_the_phrase_manic_pixie_dream_girl/
      2. ↑ https://www.flavorwire.com/446166/eternal-sunshine-destroyed-the-manic-pixie-dream-girl-stereotype-before-it-even-existed
      3. ↑ https://www.sleek-mag.com/article/sleek-top-10-manic-pixie-dream-girls/
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/A3WUhMCsZds?si=tSI0vJyRtk9Y04NG
      5. ↑ https://www.wescreenplay.com/blog/what-is-a-manic-pixie-dream-girl-and-how-the-trope-can-be-improved/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/3eJ8A1W3jqM?si=lLbmbhntL52fAew0
      7. ↑ https://www.blackcasediaries.com/season-4/the-case-of-the-manic-pixie-dream-girl-9947a-xttwe-w726h
      8. ↑ https://thelitnerds.com/2022/01/31/should-you-write-a-manic-pixie-dream-girl/
      9. ↑ https://jillcon.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/side-by-side-annie-hall-500-days-of-summer/
      1. ↑ https://columbiachronicle.com/arts-culture/review-chemical-hearts-yields-a-negative-reaction/
      2. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338013/quotes/

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