The Harley Quinn female character ascension in “Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)”

The Harley Quinn character, which was created by the DC Comics universe in 1992 on the animated TV serie of “Batman” and had gained relevance because of her and Joker’s relationship, appears now as a protagonist in “Birds of Prey”.

In “Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)”, Harley, which is interpreted by the capable Margot Robbie, arises apartly from the vilain Joker character, after their disfunctional relationship had came to an end. In a funny, irreverent and unique way, the movie reveals the protagonist ascension and her determination in order to achieve a better self-esteem.

Narrated at the first person, “Birds of Prey” pushes Harley to help the movie villain, Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor), who he’s looking for a stolen diamond by Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco), a teenager. Once Harley Quinn had lost her immunity in Gotham City as a result of breaking up with Joker, she looks at herself in a difficult situation to save her own life.

The movie is an adventure and action comedy with lots of feminists details that we can even realize in the improbable partnership between Harley and the anti heroines such as Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) - a detective from the Gotham City Police Department - that are fighting for the diamond retrieve and for Cas rescue from the hands of Roman Sionis.

Inicially introduced by the DC Comics as Harleen Quinzel, the Arkham Asylum’s psychiatrist that became a doctor to understand her own father’s behavior and what had led him into the crime world, she ends up into an identical situation. Seduced and manipulated by her most notorious patient at that time, Joker, them both develop a relationship where verbal and physical abuse take place.

Although it had arduously been criticized by its simple plot, “Birds of Prey” stands out in the current context of cinema by the message that conveys. More than an anti heroines story full of glitters and action moments, which is so Harley Quinn typical, the movie talks about women empowerment and should be watched as such.

Directed and written by women (direct by Cathy Yan and script by Christina Hodson) and produced by Margot Robbie herself, the movie shows an independent and grown up Harley, who does justice to the movie title.

Portuguese version here.