Once upon a time, “Grease” was the buzzword of the entertainment world. Thanks to its perpetual presence on our screens, this high school musical has consistently stirred debates on social media. It appears that contemporary audiences have some strong opinions about this legendary film, whether they are watching it for the first time or revisiting it after a long hiatus.
The storyline of “Grease” is refreshingly uncomplicated: Boy meets girl, love blossoms, boy acts foolish in front of friends, girl leaves boy, boy triumphs in a car race, girl undergoes a drastic transformation to win boy’s affection, and together they soar away in a fantastical car. It’s a narrative as old as time itself.
Despite its unforgettable musical numbers and remarkable performances by John Travolta as the greaser Danny Zuko and the late Olivia Newton-John as the virtuous Sandy Olsson, some viewers are now advocating for “Grease” to be banished from our screens forever. A recent tweet from one user on X (formerly known as Twitter) lamented, “Rewatching Grease for the first time in years and realizing how problematic it is.” Another individual added, “Sorry, I loved Grease when I was a kid; however, it’s just too problematic these days,” before sharing their grievances about another classic, “Dirty Dancing.”
Delving deeper into the issues, one viewer pointed out the lyrics of ‘Summer Nights,’ stating, “Grease singing ‘did she put up a fight?’ pretty much ruins the whole movie for me now, aside from all the other problematic stuff.”
Another user on X shared, “Oh dear. I’m currently viewing #Grease, a film I once adored, and it’s glaringly reflective of its era—misogynistic, laden with sexism, and teetering on uncomfortable territory.” In a similar vein, a fellow revisitor concurred, stating, “I used to be quite enamored with #Grease during my teenage years; however, now I perceive it as a mound of blatant misogyny.” It’s worth noting that the criticism extends beyond just the lyrics, as one viewer took issue with the film’s exclusive portrayal of heterosexual relationships, going to the extent of branding “Grease” as the epitome of homophobia.
A breakdown of how Grease is sexist af:
– The drive-in movie scene where Johnny pretty much forces himself on Sandy
– How Sandy is bullied into changing herself for a guy
– “Did she put up a fight?” Like, really?
– Everyone lowkey hates on Rizzo cos she might be pregnant— hillybillyhillbillyhillybill (@HillyandBilly) July 4, 2018
To conclude, one critic on Twitter noted, “I used to watch this movie so much growing up, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen it, and it’s all I remember it to be and more […] and by that, I mean misogynistic, homophobic, and just a gross culture of toxic masculinity, rape culture, and pedophilia.”
Nevertheless, in a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Olivia Newton-John took it upon herself to tackle the ongoing debate regarding whether “Grease” harbored misogynistic undertones. When queried about whether Sandy’s evolution into a more conventionally attractive character could be seen as an endorsement of sexism, the actress responded dismissively, asserting, “It’s a film—a narrative rooted in the 1950s, an era with distinct norms. People often overlook the fact that, in the end, he undergoes a transformation for her as well. There’s no profound commentary on the #MeToo movement within it.”
“It boils down to a girl’s affection for a guy, each believing that by changing, they can win each other’s hearts. It’s a portrayal of a relatable aspect of human relationships. It was meant to be an enjoyable love story.” Despite the naysayers, the film unquestionably boasts a dedicated fanbase.
Concurring with Newton-John, one X user opined, “Not entirely sure how the ‘Grease is sexist’ debate began, but I’ve always found the transformation to be one of the least sexist things about it. He changes too! She discovers the power of sexuality! Sandy basically has a dom awakening! I never felt like she was undermined here.” For those seeking something truly anger-inducing, perhaps watching “Grease 2” would be more fitting, as it is often deemed dreadful by comparison.