Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010) film review - the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope
★★★★☆
This absurd comedy chronicles nerdy gamer Scott’s pursuit of gorgeous delivery girl Ramona Flowers. Scott is an amateur musician who must defeat Ramona’s 7 evil exes before he can date her.
Director: Edgar Wright. Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Alison Pill, Ellen Wong, Jason Schwartzman. 12A cert, 112 min.
An absurd but intelligent satirical comedy, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ has rightly become something of a cult classic. Chronicling nerdy gamer Scott’s pursuit of gorgeous delivery girl Ramona Flowers, the amateur musician must defeat Ramona’s 7 evil exes before he can date her. Based on the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ is over the top and outstandingly ridiculous, with heavily stylised fight scenes and hyperbolised characters. It deals with a myriad of tropes, from the idea of a ‘Manic Pixie Dream Girl’ to the ‘evil ex’ that everyone seems to have. However, it does so with enough irony that it appears to acknowledge the obvious flaws and stereotypes that exist within its characters.
‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ (2010) film poster artwork
Veganism, bisexuality, dyed hair, and so-terrible-it’s-good indie music
Directed by Edgar Wright, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ utilises aspects of video game and comic book design as a way of portraying the film’s outlandish plot, whilst also acting as a tribute to the story’s two-dimensional origins. Though it criminally underperformed when initially released, this was perhaps because it was somewhat ahead of its time. Veganism, bisexuality, dyed hair, so-terrible-it's-good indie music... watching it a decade later, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ is an oddly accurate, if bizarre, social commentary. Its characters are shallow stereotypes, its plot is predictably simple, and Ramona Flowers, played by Elizabeth Kate Winstead, seems to exist purely to provide Scott with the emotional growing-up he needs. However, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ is also endearing and hilarious as it navigates relationships in the wider context of societal expectations.
Living in Toronto, Scott Pilgrim is a jobless bassist in grungy garage band ‘Sex Bob-Omb,’ sleeps in the same bed as his gay roommate Wallace and is dating a 17-year-old high school girl called Knives Chau. Played by Michael Cera, Scott has all the characteristics of a creepy freeloader. However, he is also hugely naïve and immature, personality traits which somehow absolve him of his shortcomings. Michael Cera does an excellent job of portraying Scott in a sympathetic, lighthearted manner, but regardless of this, he still fails to fit the hero archetype of your traditional action films. 'Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ forces its characters to fulfil such archetypes to comedic effect and it does so successfully. Agonisingly awkward at times, this is a film that knows it’s ridiculous, and revels in it.
The Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope in ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’
With in-your-face graphics and some seriously impressive transitions between scenes, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ has a distinct and imaginative production style. It also has an equally impressive cast of characters, including of course Michael Cera and Elizabeth Kate Winstead, but also Anna Kendrick, Chris Evans, Brie Larson, Kieran Culkin, and Alison Pill to name just a few. Though it has a classic guy gets girl plot, director Edgar Wright’s execution of said plot makes it nonetheless interesting. It is no surprise that it still sparks discussion now surrounding the concept of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, most notably with the controversial 2019 song ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World Ruined a Whole Generation of Women’ by Negative XP. Openly misogynistic and very tongue-in-cheek, the song displays the irony in the film’s character Ramona Flowers acting as a role model to young girls.
‘BPD and Ecstasy, conceited with low self-esteem / she’s a teenage dream if you hate yourself’ are the song’s opening lyrics. Clearly referencing the Manic Pixie Dream Girl, or MPDG stock character that appears in films, 'Scott Pilgrim vs the World Ruined a Whole Generation of Women’ draws upon Elizabeth Kate Winstead’s role as Ramona Flowers in a way that doesn’t even try to be subtle. ‘She saw Ramona Flowers, and felt so empowered / By a movie made in Hollywood.’ But is Ramona Flowers a MPDG? A Manic Pixie Dream Girl is defined by film critic Nathan Rabin as a character that ‘exists solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directors to teach broodingly soulful young men to embrace life and its infinite mysteries and adventures.’ In other words, a MPDG is a quirky, shallow, and romanticised figure adopted by the male-dominated film industry as a cinematic device.
Is Ramona Flowers a Manic Pixie Dream Girl?
Though Ramona Flowers has been coined by many as a character slotting perfectly into the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope, I think this is inaccurate and potentially harmful. Yes, she has brightly dyed hair, adopts a punk rock style, and is evidently romanticised by the film’s protagonist Scott Pilgrim. But this is evidence more of the immaturity of Scott’s character in ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ than the traits of Ramona Flowers herself. Though Scott may see Ramona as a MPDG, she is in fact a complicated figure with a complicated past, something the film emphasises with its focus on her 7 exes and the roles they played in her life. Elizabeth Kate Winstead’s character also appears to have goals separate to Scott. Having moved to Toronto in search of a more peaceful, uncomplicated existence, Ramona appears reluctant to offer Scott the life with her that he desires. So, if anything, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ subverts the trope of a MPDG. Though whether director Edgar Wright does this deliberately or unintentionally is left up for debate.
‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ alternate ending
Warning: contains spoilers. ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ ends with Michael Cera’s character successfully defeating Ramona’s last evil ex Gideon Graves, a manipulative record company owner played by Jason Schwartzman. In an uplifting act of character development, Scott apologises to Knives and Ramona for seeing them both simultaneously and wins back Ramona’s trust and respect. Walking off into the metaphorical sunset, the two lovers receive a happy ending. However, 'Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ does have a darker alternate ending that would have completely transformed the film’s tone. In this alternate ending, it is revealed that Scott is in fact a serial killer who has murdered 7 people, fantasising the video game aspects of the film in an attempt to rationalise his actions. Though this ending was cut prior to production, it would have undoubtedly turned ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ into one of the most shocking black comedies ever made.
Should you watch this before you die?
Overall, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ is a deeply funny film that never takes itself seriously as it portrays the complicated, often nonsensical nature of love. Exploring the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope without conforming to it, Edgar Wright’s work depicts flawed, stereotypical characters in a casual and often hilarious manner. With the director’s other films including 'Shaun of the Dead’ and ‘Hot Fuzz,’ it is no surprise that ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’ is equally successful in its deliverance of style and comedy. If you haven’t already watched this film, add it to your list.