Women Over 40 Rock!

Madonna’s new CD “Hard Candy” debuted as Number One on this week’s (week ending May 17) Billboard 200 chart. In Voice of America on-line from May 13, it was noted, “This marks her seventh chart-topper, which puts her in second place behind Barbra Streisand for the most Number One albums.” When I first heard about the CD with the crotch shot cover photo and more of her flagrant promotion as a sexy vamp, I prudishly thought, isn’t it time for her hang up her bustier? After all, she’ll be 50 in a few months. But The Stones, at Medicare age, are still touring, Mick is still gyrating and singing about needing satisfaction. So, why not Madonna!? Over the years Madonna has constantly re-invented her sound and her image. Regardless of what you may think of her music or politics, you have to admire her ability to stay current.
And you have to admire her arms. My God, apart from female body builders, where have you ever seen such sculpted arms on a 50 year old woman!?
“4 Minutes” is one of the singles from the album. She is teamed with Justin Timberlake and in the video they cavort in a sexy, come-on display of provocative moves. Madonna looks amazing. She has the tight, yet voluptuous body of a 27 year old, which happens to be Justin Timberlake’s age. She always was an amazing dancer but seeing her at 50, I was astonished at her athleticism; many of her moves would send the average 50 year-old screaming to a chiropractor’s office. Even though she is old enough to be Justin Timberlake’s mother, they are perfectly matched in the video. She has a killer work ethic and must train like a boxer. She looks better at 50 than she did when she first hit the scene at 24. Madonna, you are one hot momma!
Watching Madonna at 50, looking strong, sexy and powerful, I thought isn’t it sad that we’ll never see a 50 year old woman portrayed in a movie as hot and sexy. In fact seeing any 50 year-old woman in a movie is a rare sighting. When an actress turns 40, she goes on the endangered species list. Hit 50 and you’re on the ‘nearly extinct’ list. If a woman over 50 should appear in a film, it’s usually in a supporting role: the shrewish ex-wife, the castrating executive, the busy-body neighbor - typical roles for women over 50. There is an exception with 50+ Kim Cattrall, resident sex machine on Sex in the City, who reprised her TV role for the film. But there is no way a film would be produced today that portrays a woman over 50 as desirable and sexually active.
In addition, the age at which a woman is considered hot keeps dropping. In a New York Times article from May 4 called, “Is There a Real Woman in this Multiplex”, Manohla Dargis writes: “…Anna Faris stars in a comedy called The House Bunny, in which she plays a Playboy Bunny who is ejected from the Mansion because she’s too old. In a trailer for the movie Ms. Faris’s pretty-in-pink character responds to her firing with surprise. ‘I’m 27!’ she yelps. ‘But that’s like 59 in Bunny years,’ a male friend explains. In Hollywood years too, he might as well have added.”
Not only Madonna, but mini-skirted 68 year-old Tina Turner, perennially cool 53 year-old Annie Lennox, 63 year-old Carly Simon, and Mariah Carey, who is movie star old at 39 – all continue to sell albums and project sassy, upbeat and vibrant personalities. But it’s grim business being a woman over 50 in the movies. As I’ve said, either you’re a world class bitch, an object of derision, or sadly out of it. So, as a woman over 50, when I need to see something positive about being my age, I certainly won’t be rushing off to see any movie. Instead I’ll turn to the videos of Madonna or Tina and for a few minutes I’ll dance my heart out. I may be getting older, but Cindi Lauper’s lyrics still resonate. There are days when I’m just a girl that wants to have fun. Rock on, ladies!

Jan Bina, blogger for In the Trenches Productions, The First Entertainment Website for Women Over 40