Katie Button continues the female film heroes series by introducing a cowgirl with a lust for life.
Female film characters don’t have to be flesh and blood to become icons and Toy Story 2’s Jessie is a prime example. Though the first chapter in the saga of Buzz Lightyear and Woody the Cowboy was fun, it was a predominantly male affair. Characters like Bo Peep tottered on the periphery of the action but it was the introduction of Jessie the yodelling cowgirl in the animated sequel that enabled girls everywhere to feel properly included. Voiced by talented comic actress Joan Cusack, Jessie brought a much needed female touch, though interestingly is a hardcore tom-boy.
Jessie loves mixing it with the lads and enjoys innocent rough ‘n’ tumbles. She is athletic and very physical at no point exhibits any girlie preciousness. This is not a girl to be waiting at home while the boys have all the fun – hell no, Jessie is at the heart of the action and with her brave and fearless attitude is never one to shy away from a conflict or meekly bite her tongue.
Jessie is outspoken and strong-minded, and though she is the only female in Woody’s Round-up Gang refuses to be a pushover. Her excitable nature and boundless energy means that she is terrified of storage, and though she accepts plans to be exhibited in a museum, is overcome with fear at the prospect of being boxed. For her the notion is completely at odds with everything she is, the vitality she represents and is her number one fear.
She might be a cartoon character but the threat of being hidden away is one that many women can relate to. Sure, we might not get packed away in a box, but the metaphor is there and though subtle, is quite potent. Jesse is us, a woman of her time and not one to be neglected or dictated to.
All this spirited liveliness can sometimes be overbearing and exhausting, but Jessie is fiercely loyal to her friends and they to her. She strikes up an immediate closeness and understanding with Woody and has the unswerving support of his horse, Bulls-Eye. Interestingly it is through her introduction to Buzz Lightyear that we see Jessie reveal more of her feminine side, with Buzz clearly attracted to our girl. Maybe this potential romance will be focussed on in the planned third film in the series.
Underneath her confident bravado Jessie has experienced genuine pain and it is this unexpected depth that helps flesh out the character. Once cherished and adored by her previous owner Emily, Jessie is familiar with the intimate bond that Woody professes to share with his owner Andy. However, while Woody has only ever known happiness from this relationship, Jessie has felt the pain of abandonment.
Woody: Look Jessie, I know you hate me for leaving, but I have to go back. I'm still Andy's toy. Well, if you knew him, you'd understand. See, Andy's...
Jessie: Let me guess. Andy's a real special kid, and to him, you're his buddy, his best friend, and when Andy plays with you it's like... even though you're not moving, you feel like you're alive, because that's how he sees you.
Woody: How did you know that?
Jessie: Because Emily was just the same. She was my whole world.
The montage of shots revealing the decline of the friendship is poignantly set to the Oscar-nominated song ‘When She Loved Me’ by Sarah McLachlan and is an unsettling and moving insight into the mind of a real survivor. Jessie might have been hurt but she’s not bitter or cynical, and when introduced to Andy’s sister is hopeful and optimistic at starting a new relationship.
Jessie has a passion for life, laughter and love – what’s not to like?
Katie Button writes for TV Scoop, Liverpool Pies and Star Trip. She has never tried yodelling and thinks it's for the best.
