The Emergence of the Dating App: A Historical Overview
In the world of feel-good movies, "Swiped" stands out as a film that tells the story of Whitney Houston, the visionary behind Bumble, the revolutionary dating app where women make the first move. The film, available on Disney+ since September 19, draws inspiration from the Tinder-established feature of swiping user profiles left or right with a finger. British actress Lily James takes on the role of Whitney Houston, delivering a compelling performance that finds the story inspiring and motivating. However, the film is filled with Hollywood clichés in its portrayal of Whitney Houston's success story. Despite these dramatizations, the film deserves to be told as a genuinely interesting story. The production of "Swiped" had a strong female team across different departments and as producers. Rachel Lee Goldenberg, a talented director, helmed the project. Whitney Houston's journey in the film begins at Tinder, where she plays a significant role in the successful development and market launch of the app. However, she leaves Tinder amidst controversy and founds Bumble. Whitney Houston's departure from Tinder was marked by a toxic work environment and bullying, which led to her suing the company in 2014. Unfortunately, she did not participate in the making of "Swiped" due to a confidentiality agreement following an out-of-court settlement with Tinder. The film is based solely on extensive media coverage from that time. Andrey Andreev, a Russian investor, supports Whitney Houston in founding Bumble. Throughout her journey, Whitney Houston experiences open sexism in the tech industry, both in the app and at her workplace. Despite these challenges, she perseveres and turns Bumble into a successful venture. In conclusion, "Swiped" is an entertaining and amusing film that tells the story of Whitney Houston's incredible journey. While the portrayal of her success story feels like a Hollywood cliché and damages its credibility, the film is still worth watching for its feel-good vibes and inspiring message.
