IN Transformers, Megan Fox is an expert on cars because her dad taught her. But fatherly advice is not the only reason women are permitted to know stuff. Here are some more:
She’s hot
Denise Richards in The World is Not Enough, for example. Some women are hot DESPITE being clever. Obviously it doesn’t happen often, but it’s great to see a Bond film with a progressive message. When Denise is convincingly explaining quantum physics in six-inch heels and a vest top, don’t shy away. The camera certainly won’t.
Her dad told her stuff
Men are, of course, fundamentally the source of all knowledge and ideas. Women can hold those in their heads temporarily if information is explained to them slowly and they’re not distracted by shoes. Take the aforementioned example of Megan Fox. She’d think only of unicorns if Dad hadn’t shown her the garage.
She had three older brothers
Which explains why she can throw a punch, change a tyre, swear convincingly and identify every firearm ever manufactured. It seems growing up with male siblings is equivalent to SAS selection. If she’d had sisters, she’d spend all her time sobbing in the loft every time a flower dies.
Her dad was in the military
An army dad is ten times a regular father. Having one conveniently qualifies her to fly helicopters, negotiate hostage situations and explain NATO strategy to passersby. It’s amazing what film dads can teach you, when yours only taught you to kick a football ineptly in the mistaken belief that he was Michel Platini.
Her mum died when she was young
When mum dies, a daughter must step in while Dad throws himself into work and his thousand-yard stare. You can’t expect a man to cook for his children. This tragic backstory makes her the most mature and together person you could imagine – which is handy in a zombie attack. It’s one of the few ways Hollywood permits a woman to be competent without suggesting it’s typical. Competent at being boring and sensible.
