satmolly

Jyn is a feminist character because she exists for her own purpose. Of course she's a product of her upbringing and of course she's influenced by the people around her but an honest analysis of the film would include that she impacts the adults that raise her and she influences the people around her as well.

Galen put the flaw in the Death Star for Jyn. His entire reason to keep on living was the hope that Jyn was alive in the universe.

Saw raised her and, when she was at risk of being identified as an Erso, abandoned her for her safety. She is the only partisan to whom he opens himself.

Cassian's development in Rogue One occurs because of his connection to Jyn. She wakes him up and reminds him of why he's fighting - not because he's moved by her victimhood but because he's impressed by her abilities, principles and commitment. He sees his early resistance in her and is motivated to re-engage because of the fire in Jyn.

Bodhi carries a message that Galen is sending to Jyn, thereby changing the trajectory of his life. And then he follows her to Scariff.

Chirrut and Baze follow Jyn to fulfill their development. Chirrut makes a difference with his faith and Baze becomes the warrior that he has been cosplaying on Jedha.

Is she surrounded by men? Yes, and she leads them. She leads them in battle. She leads them to their destiny. And she does it as an active agent, making choices, commanding the troops. She's not a muse or a victim that inspires their manly protection. They don't question her leadership. No one has to be brought around to accepting her leadership; they do it without question. Does Cassian bring the troops together for Scariff. Sure, he's part of the actual Rebellion command. But once the troops come together then Jyn was the undisputed leader of the action.

Jyn is a fighter in the Rebellion. That is the frame in which she acts so ultimately she's going to commit to and fight for the Rebellion. It would be a weird movie if that wasn't her path. (Or, I guess it could be season 2 of Andor, but I digress.)

[ Highly Dangerous ]

Rest in Peace, Tony.

I'll always remember your smile.

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (2016)

first of all: same.

Second of all: Listen. You can read the Elevator Scene™ as platonic. I don't know why you would, but you can - she thought this man was dead, and she was as good as dead, and then he came back and saved her life and they are stuck out of time in the middle of a D-day level battle and neither of them have words for this scenario. This scene can work for all kinds of love, really.

But this scene. This scene makes absolutely no sense to include if we were not meant to see a physical attraction develop here. What is the point of showing us Jyn's smile turning awkward, her little glance when she runs into him? What is the point of lingering on Cassian completely losing the plot when she briefly gets closer than anticipated after smiling at him like that? What, pray tell, is the point of showing us that if they're meant to be Very Professional Coworkers, or 'sibling coded' or whatever fresh hell the interwebs have decided this is post Andor?

Most of their scenes in the latter half of this movie are filmed beat for beat like a romance movie. Like we joke about the similarities to Pride and Prejudice 2005, but the visual language is genuinely doing the same thing: Circling around two people while they are locked in a very personal moment in a crowded room. Lingering on someone's reaction to a small gesture or a careless brush from their person. Cutting to a smile with a musical cue like it is the climax of your scene. The focus on brief physical touch. Even the act structure of specifically their relationship is really, really similar - look:

Pride and Prejudice 2005:

bad first impression: Netherfield ball

argument in the rain where both accuse one another of their shortcomings: first proposal

grappling with said shortcomings, adjusting behaviours: meeting again at Pemberley

big selfless gesture: Darcy "rescues" Lydia

protagonist stands up to allegorical antagonist: Lizzie blows of Lady Catherine, who is a stand-in for... pride and prejudice

soft dramatic handholding with sun just over the horizon: second proposal at dawn

fatherly approval: Darcy and Lizzie both get approval from her father

Rogue One:

bad first impression: Jyn is forced to work with Cassian

argument in the rain where both accuse one another of their shortcomings: Eadu shuttle scene

grappling with said shortcomings, adjusting behaviours: Jyn standing up to the Council, Cassian reckoning with his guilt and responsibility

big selfless gesture: Cassian offers Jyn an army (and himself)

protagonist stands up to allegorical antagonist: Jyn faces off with Krennic and, by extension, the Empire she has tolerated

soft dramatic handholding with sun just over the horizon: The Beach

fatherly approval: "Your father would have been proud of you."

Her faith carried him with her.

He didn't say any of it. He didn't want to disturb the silence as they rested against each other, hurting and relaxed, listening to the hum of machinery and the distant billowing of fires. He stowed thoughts of old missions and thoughts of the future away; decided to focus on what he could see and hear and smell for the last moments of his life on Scarif.

MARK HAMILL as LUKE SKYWALKER