In the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the USA (semiquincentennial), Peter Bentley provides a selection of articles from his series looking at the USA through American film and television. Note: at present this article is part of a collection, hopefully to be published as a book before the American quincentennial.
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The USA and (Personal) Image
Personal image is of importance in all societies, though it could be argued that the USA has taken this to an art form. How people look and appear also often forms the basis for how we judge and then relate.
While travelling in the USA on public transport, including buses and long-distance Amtrak trains, I began to notice the difference in dental work or rather lack of dental work, among some American citizens. I realised necessary dental work, let alone cosmetic dental work, was usually afforded by those with good health plans or independent wealth. I reflected that smiling with bountiful teeth was a prominent symbol of position and essential for a positive image in television and film.
My memories of earlier American television feature good-looking people, whether on news or on variety-style shows. The Mickey Mouse Club (1955-1958) stands out for its appeal to teenagers and use of a dynamic and animated format, symbolising American entertainment and enterprise. Annette Funicello reigned even in Australian homes, and many of us today can still sing the theme song. I should note that in the 1950s – 1960s, many Australians viewed American television series later than their broadcasting in the USA. Sometimes this was as reruns, but often because the series were simply broadcast several years later. I have generally thought that in the pre-streaming and internet era, Australia, particularly in rural areas, was about a decade behind the USA in terms of television awareness.
Back to smiling; while good dental health is very important, reality TV has much to answer for in relation to what is considered the necessary way to appear and look today.
The list of reality TV shows that centre on image and looks has become never-ending, because anyone with a smartphone can make a series, but it is still the glossy high-end production shows that lead the way in making sure the message of the need for outer beauty is promoted. While the shows may have different themes like below, outer beauty and physical looks are at the centre.
Love (that is sex)
Whether this love is on an Island, in Paradise or centred around Temptation, and simply Too Hot to Handle, or part of a dating or match-making series with Bachelors, Bachelorettes and people destined to be MAFS, the pre-screening of the talent ensures that a certain look and style is the base. Is it any wonder that self-esteem has been plummeting over the years when younger people have no wider understanding of love and only experience ‘unreality television’?
I cannot leave this section without mentioning one of the most incongruous and yet popular ‘romantic’ films of all time, Pretty Woman (1990). Here, good-looking people and style is the cornerstone of the film, and yet the film is about the exploitation of a woman for money, rather than the theme promoted as ‘girl meets boy, and they fall in love.’
Models
Whether it is the next top, or the last top, or the new teen or the real models themselves, there is one consistent theme: if you don’t look like a million dollars, then you cannot be paid a million dollars. These shows have a link with previous (and continuing) shows that were single-staged pageants, but now have a continuing life of their own, much like Days of Our Lives.
One movie that turns these model fixations on their heads is the somewhat irreverent comedy Little Miss Sunshine (2006), and while it is about a Little Miss pageant, it manages to highlight and skewer the issues that abound when the focus is on personal image and looks.
Housewives
Whether they are ‘desperate’, Southern, city-based or at the beach, it is stunning to realise that these housewives never want for the latest in style, accessories and looks, and this leads into the most individual category of all:
People famous for being famous
The most outstanding example here would be anything to do with The Kardashians. I comment more about this in ‘The USA and Reality TV’, so no more needs to be said here (or anywhere else).
The Modern Gospel of Self-Love
A feature of all these shows is a focus on oneself. It reinforces the sad idea that the world revolves around us, rather than our love for God and our neighbour. In essence, it is a perversion of the meaning of ‘love thy neighbour as thyself’. This type of self-love neglects our calling and our eternal hope, portraying a superficial and temporal context as our hope. It focuses on the external when we are told “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3: 3-4 NASB1995).
Our looks can become an idol, and we end up worshipping ourselves (until our looks fade or our show is dumped for a newer model).
And lastly, a Hollywood Movie with a lateral take
Shallow Hall (2001) is an intriguing movie that helps to point to the shallowness of a world based around looks, where a hypnotised Jack Black is made to see people as beautiful, rather than only love ‘the beautiful people’.
I believe this movie has more relevance today in this online era, where one never knows if the image you are sent or looking at on a dating site is the person God created or AI. And on this note, I commend Stephen Driscoll’s 2025 Australian Christian Book of the Year for reflection: Made in our Image. God, artificial intelligence and you.
Note: At present, this article is part of a collection, hopefully to be published as a book before the American quincentennial.
Peter Bentley
pkbentleyarchive.com
Image Credit: platinumsmiledental.com.au