by More Than a Romantic Comedy: Analyzing the Themes of “Working Girl”
Released in 1988, “Working Girl” on the surface appears to follow the standard romantic comedy formula – an attractive leading lady meets a handsome man and they fall in love. Starring Melanie Griffith as ambitious secretary Tess McGill and Harrison Ford as financier Jack Trainer, the film certainly delivers the expected meet-cute and romantic sparks between the two main characters. However, digging deeper reveals “Working Girl” is much more than a simple love story. It uses the romantic comedy framework to explore deeper themes of gender dynamics in the workplace, defining success beyond relationships, and navigating complex moral choices. Through focusing on Tess’s professional aspirations and journey of self-discovery, “Working Girl” transcends being a typical rom-com to become a commentary on women achieving power and recognition in a male-dominated world.
At the center of the film is Tess McGill, played vibrantly by Melanie Griffith. From the beginning, it’s clear Tess is incredibly intelligent and ambitious, with dreams of climbing the corporate ladder that extend beyond just being a secretary. While her co-workers are content to spend their careers fetching coffee and answering phones, Tess hungers for more responsibility and the opportunity to utilize her business savvy. She attends night school to earn her MBA in the hopes of one day becoming a executive. Right away, Tess subverts the stereotypical secretary role by establishing her character is driven by professional goals, not defined by her relationship status or the pursuit of a man. The narrative follows Tess’s journey upward rather than focusing primarily on her romantic storyline with Jack. This emphasis on her career aspirations rather than finding love was groundbreaking for a film marketed as a romantic comedy in 1988. By centering an ambitious, career-oriented female character, “Working Girl” pushed boundaries and presented a role model for women who wanted more than traditional gender expectations allowed.
As Tess climbs the ranks, the film highlights the challenges she faces in the male-dominated corporate world through her interactions with her superior Katharine Parker, played chillingly by Sigourney Weaver. Katharine outwardly acts as Tess’s mentor, but is secretly threatened by her intelligence and drive. In one of the most memorable scenes, Katharine steals Tess’s idea for a major deal, passing it off as her own. This betrayal shows the obstacles women in the workplace faced, with their accomplishments often being undermined or claimed by men. The film also portrays the subtle sexism Tess navigates daily, from inappropriate comments to being overlooked for opportunities. These micro and macro aggressions reflect real workplace issues women still deal with today. By shining a light on gender dynamics and the biases women had to overcome, “Working Girl” brought awareness to important issues its audience may not have considered in a typical romantic comedy. It used entertainment to have a conversation and potentially influence viewers’ perspectives.
Beyond facing challenges due to her gender, Tess also grapples with redefining what constitutes success and fulfillment in her life. From the start, she makes it clear financial independence and career achievement are her goals, not finding a husband or relationship status. When her ideas are stolen, Tess is left feeling like “a loser without even a man.” This moment of doubt shows how even ambitious women could feel pressure to measure self-worth through coupling in the 1980s. However, Tess refuses to accept traditional definitions of success and doubles down on pursuing her dreams her own way. With help from Jack and new friend Cyn, played by Joan Cusack, Tess takes a huge risk by temporarily impersonating her boss after she’s injured. This morally gray decision allows Tess to seize opportunities that may have otherwise been denied to her. Through her bravery and business acumen, she rises to the top, finding professional recognition and financial stability on her own terms. By the end, Tess has redefined what it means to “win” beyond just getting the guy, modeling for viewers that women can find purpose and happiness through their careers rather than relationships alone.
Along with focusing on Tess’s journey of self-discovery, “Working Girl” also highlights the importance of community and female friendship. Tess’s bond with fellow secretary and friend Cyn provides emotional support as they navigate challenges in the workplace together. Their scenes showcase realistic female friendship, from late-night calls after bad dates to helping each other prepare for important meetings. Cyn even goes above and beyond to help Tess when she takes over as her boss temporarily. Their dynamic demonstrates that beyond romantic relationships, strong female friendships can empower women and help them pursue their dreams. The film portrays their bond in a nuanced, heartwarming way that shows sisterhood as a source of strength. In an era where women were often portrayed as catty or competitive, “Working Girl” presented a refreshing alternative of women uplifting each other.
Of course, no discussion of “Working Girl” would be complete without mentioning the romantic sparks between Tess and Jack Trainer. Harrison Ford brings his classic charm to the role of the kind-hearted financier who sees Tess’s potential. Their meet-cute occurs when Tess spills coffee on him in an elevator, kicking off a will-they-or-won’t-they dynamic. However, their relationship takes a backseat to Tess’s professional journey for most of the film. Jack acts as more of a mentor figure who encourages her to pursue her dreams. Even when they do get together romantically towards the climax, the focus remains on Tess proving herself in her career rather than finding a happy ending through marriage. Their chemistry adds entertainment value but isn’t central to Tess defining her self-worth. This separation of romance from identity was revolutionary for the time and ensured “Working Girl” wouldn’t fall into stereotypical traps of using coupling as the be-all, end-all for its ambitious heroine.
Of course, no story is without complexity or moral dilemmas. When Tess decides to impersonate her boss temporarily after Katharine’s accident, she enters a gray area both legally and ethically. The film doesn’t shy away from exploring the consequences of her risky choice or the potential damage to her reputation. In one tense scene, Tess’s deception is almost exposed during an important meeting. These moments of uncertainty add nuance by showing ambition often requires hard decisions and there may be repercussions down the line. They also demonstrate Tess is flawed but determined, struggling with complex workplace politics rather than presented as perfect. Her ultimate success comes from outwitting the system rather than playing by the traditional rules of what was expected of women. “Working Girl” portrays the reality that achieving major goals frequently demands stepping outside of comfort zones and societal expectations.
In the end, “Working Girl” transcends the typical romantic comedy by using the formula to explore deeper issues of gender, workplace dynamics, defining success beyond relationships, and grappling with moral complexities. It focuses on the journey of an ambitious, intelligent female character looking to make her mark in the business world rather than finding a man. Through Tess’s struggles and triumphs, the film highlighted obstacles women faced in the 1980s workplace and modeled redefining what it means to win on one’s own terms. It brought awareness to gender biases and showed the importance of community through Tess’s friendship. While delivering the expected romantic storyline, “Working Girl” ensured the relationship took a backseat to its heroine living out her dreams. For prioritizing these progressive themes over simply being a fluffy love story, the film has endured and remains relevant today in its portrayal of an ambitious woman navigating a system not built for her. It set the stage for future working woman narratives by being bold, thoughtful and unapologetically feminist for its time.
