In honor of Women’s History month, here’s my tribute to a few of the heroines that inspired me through film.  Who are your favorite film femmes?

1.  Golden Swallow of ‘Come Drink With Me’:  Played by Chen Pei Pei, Golden Swallow inspired the heroines of ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ and ‘Kill Bill’ who also give the male baddies a run for their money.  But none can match her deft swordplay, footwork, and charisma.

2. Jane Craig of ‘Broadcast News’: Holly Hunter’s most iconic role and so perfectly designed for her tough, plucky energy.  She was the girl who ended up with neither guy and on top of that, dumped the alpha male because she didn’t respect him.  The heroine for women who cannot stomach most romantic comedies.

3. Nikita Taylor of ‘La Femme Nikita’:  I love watching Angelina Jolie take no prisoners in ‘Wanted’ but with her, it still feels like a pose.  But with Nikita, played by Anne Parillaud – she’s badass and yet complex and convincingly vulnerable.  It’s details like her demure Hepburnesque little black dress and pearls that she wears on her first hit and, the sweet boyfriend she picks up at the grocery store that keeps it real.  There’s nothing more compelling than seeing Nikita perform her first mission where she’s freaked out, pissed off at her mentor, and yet manages to have the where-with-all to pull off her mission with the virtuosity and scrappiness of a girl who has the talent and instincts.

4. Trinity of ‘The Matrix’:  In the wake of Halle Berry’s Cat Woman does dime-store dominitrix look, Carrie Anne Moss rescued latex from bad stripper outfits and elevated it into the power suit of the 90s.  She channeled Clint Eastwood’s ‘Man With No Name’ less-is-more performance, had the gift of restoring wushu’s virtues to the screen (as opposed to Charlie Angels trio who hammed it up) and emerged as the heroine who made kicking ass seem effortless.

5. Thelma & Louise:  Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis kept it real playing these unapologetic, femmes on the run.  I don’t remember the last time I saw a film that was so blatantly honest in expressing female anger.  Despite having no personal experience with cat calls from truck drivers or visits from cranky Aunt Flo (aka PMS) director, Ridley Scott gets it right.  That feat alone makes him an honorary member of the sisterhood.