Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman reminds us of the best way to make a statement – and an exit.
Many of us fantasize about our dream comebacks.
Here’s one: Say there’s ketchup gracing your upper lip because of an essential meeting with French fries during your lunch hour. You return to the office and someone notices the dried red condiment just under your nose and makes a snarky comment, like “Don’t you know how to eat?” Before you sink into a deep depression from failing at something so natural, like eating and wiping your mouth, you do some quick, grease-fueled thinking. “Yes, I know how to eat,” you offer before slinking off to see if there are any cold fries left in your office trash can.
Not a strong comeback for you.
Maybe you should take heed and handle an uncomfortable situation like Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman. Because really, when is kicking ass then back-flipping out of a situation not the best way to make an exit?
To many Gen Xers, “Batman Returns” remains one of the best childhood realizations of strong womanhood. The Tim Burton-helmed film came out in 1992, giving Third Wave Feminists a whole new ideal of sass. I still have a miniature Catwoman figurine climbing a string tied to the corner of my desk, where she remains an iconographic reminder of how one might behave in a situation calling for drop kicks. She’s also a good remember that a snappy, well-crafted comeback really just needs the right amount of confidence. Granted, Catwoman’s confidence comes from a lunacy inspired by a drop off a skyscraper, but now we’re just splitting cat hairs, right?
For further lessons in psychotic feline behavior, check out how Catwoman cleans out her wardrobe. Goes on a date. And quits her job.