It's Time For Jami Gertz's Twister Character To Get The Respect She Has Always Deserved

By Sarah Little

Published Jul 18, 2024

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Summary

Jami Gertz's Melissa was an innocent character in Twister.
Melissa wasn't a villain as she was more understanding than most would be if their fiancé was still in love with his (almost) ex-wife.
Melissa didn't fall into typical "other woman" stereotypes, and more viewers should respect her instead of painting her out to be a bad person.

the Twister cast. From the beginning of the 1996 disaster thriller film, it is evident that the movie wants the audience to root for Bill and Melissa to break up so that he can reunite with Jo, but that doesn't mean that Melissa is a bad person.

Aside from playing Melissa in Twister, Jami Gertz is known for her role as Judy Miller in the CBS sitcom Still Standing.

Bill and Jo, two storm chasers who fell in love on the job and got married, are in the midst of a divorce when Twister starts. Melissa travels with Bill to Oklahoma, where Jo and her team track a storm system, to get Jo's signature on the divorce papers. However, the chemistry between "Dorothy" work in Twister, it's all over for Gertz's character, but Melissa still isn't a villain.

Jami Gertz's Melissa Was An Innocent Character In Twister

Melissa Wasn't A Villain

While Jan de Bont's Twister is very much a disaster thriller, it's also a romance movie, as proven by the love triangle between Bill, Jo, and Melissa. So, although the action scenes featuring Bill and Jo racing to place "Dorothy" in a tornado's path and get out of the way in time are exciting, viewers also can't help but be eager to see how the love triangle plays out. Since Twister is very obvious in pushing Bill and Jo's relationship, it can be easy for some to regard Jami Gertz's character in a poor light. However, Melissa isn't a villain.

Despite Twister's intention not to paint Melissa as the bad guy and her apparent innocence, the circumstances of the situation mean that some will always regard Melissa negatively.

The weather disaster movie wants the audience to endorse Bill and Jo's reconciliation. But, the story doesn't outwardly blame Melissa for the couple's initial breakup as she never asks to be the "other woman." Despite Twister's intention not to paint Melissa as the bad guy and her apparent innocence, the circumstances of the situation mean that some will always regard Melissa negatively.

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Why Jami Gertz's Twister Character Deserves More Respect

Melissa Didn't Fall Into Any Typical "The Other Woman" Stereotypes

Helen Hunt as Jo and Bill Paxton as Billy looking shocked in Twister

Melissa is never outwardly jealous, mean-spirited, or pessimistic in Twister. She constantly tags along for storm chases (even when terrified, as most sane people would be) to her fiancé. Melissa is also courteous towards Jo, although it's clear Jo is still in love with Bill. Jami Gertz's character then keeps her composure when she breaks up with Bill. Melissa understands that Bill and Jo are meant to be together, and instead of being spiteful, Melissa ends her relationship with Bill with comion (while still respecting herself and her feelings).

Ultimately, Melissa knows her worth in Twister's storm-chasing story and still handles the tough situation better than anyone could. Given the situation, it would be understandable if Melissa were to lash out a bit. However, Bill's fiancée holds her composure, meaning more should respect Melissa in Twister instead of judging her harshly for things she's not to blame.