Let Rain Shine: Michelle Rodriguez – Action Star

Abstract

An amateur boxer; A professional soldier turned indestructible zombie; A fast-driving heister; A combat pilot on another world; A taco truck driver with a heart of gold; A Smurf; Michelle Rodriguez, American actress, has played them all. As Leticia ‘Letty’ Ortiz, Rodriguez' most famous role offers both a sensitive portrayal of a tenacious woman living out a tough existence who exhibits as much courage, strength, moral standing and fibre as her male counterparts, whilst also revealing a softer, emotional side and one that focuses on family and ideals of accepting Motherhood. This is what makes Rodriguez such a fascinating contradiction. Whilst much praise is heaped on other actresses for their roles in action films, this chapter will offer, through both an overview of her action-hero career and in-depth look at Rodriguez's work in the Fast and Furious films, an insight into the importance of this actress to the growing canon of action hero(ine) characters and film stars.

Citation

Gerrard, S. (2022), "Let Rain Shine: Michelle Rodriguez – Action Star", Gerrard, S. and Middlemost, R. (Ed.) Gender and Action Films (Emerald Studies in Popular Culture and Gender), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 21-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-514-220221003