The Not-So Radical Transformation of Males In Film

Throughout the semester we have come to realize that the media has an impact on how our society is influenced. From the types of clothes one wears, to the attitudes they project, the men in America attempt to relate to the actions on the big screen. This journal entry is intended to focus on three areas of film through the 1960's to the late 1980's and how the portrayal of masculinity took a cyclical transformation. The entry will focus on three different portrayals of men; The buddy films, the sensitive man, and lastly the action-adventure movies.

During the 1960’s a series of films came out that reflected the homosocial bonds between two men. As described in our text book, America on Film (2009), the homosocial bond demonstrates two heterosexual males in a close relationship often more serious than any other bond in their lives. An example of such a relationship can be found in the 1969 film, Easy Rider.

The following is the trailer for Easy Rider.

Things to watch for in the clip:

1. Relationship between the two male characters
2. Male character’s actions towards the female characters

Surrounding the time this film was released, the feminist movement was challenging the current norm of masculinity. Films such as Easy Rider portrayed men as non dependent on women unless desired for sexual activities, and tended to stick together through a bond of homosociality. Things to be noted in the previous clip are the speaking roles as well as the type of conduct that was taking place in every scene that contained a female. Though there were certainly a number of women in the trailer, almost every scene that included a female was filled with sex or a desire for sex with the male character. The men in the film were the only ones to carry much of the speaking roles, and appeared to have many conversations together.

Throughout the next ten years, a new form of masculinity began to take place. While the desire for men to feel strong and in control was still expected, the area of family life began to appear. The importance of fatherhood altered the expected norm. With a rise of divorce in America, the number of children growing up without a father was increasing. In an attempt to change this sad truth, films like Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), hit the big screen.

Kramer vs. Kramer is considered to be under the genre that displayed a sensitive man. Personally, I find the title of "sensitive" to be incorrect. Though the male role in films such as Kramer vs. Kramer, care about others and show compassion, the word sensitive often carries with it feminine qualities. In this film, Dustin Hoffman's character cares a great deal about his son and yearns for custody.

The following clip shows Dustin Hoffman's character in a conversation with his ex wife over who will get custody of their son.

Things to watch for in the clip:

1. What triggers Dustin Hoffman's character to burst in anger
2. The nonverbal actions used during the argument

This clip does a great job in exemplifying the care the male figure has for his son while still expressing a strong male stigma through physical stature and tone of voice. Like mentioned earlier, even during the times of films with sensitive males, the desire to be strong and independent continued to be salient.

Following the progression of the portrayal of men in film, the late 1980's took a step back from the sensitive male, and concentrated on many of the qualities that were expressed in the buddy films.

With feminism still potent throughout the American society, a new genre of films were focused on the hyper masculine action hero. Keeping with the male dominant attributes found in buddy films, the roles of men in action-adventure movies tended to be violent, heroic, and far from sensitive.

The following is the trailer for Rambo 2 (1985).

Things to watch for in the clip:

1. The lack of sensitivity
2. The number of women

Like many of the action-adventure films, the focus was not on feelings or women, but rather on brute violence. The sensitivty that was found only a few years back, was now absent in many of the blockbuster hits, and was rather replaced by heroic figures that excelled in agression.

Through the 1960's to late 1980's the portrayal of masculinity certainly changed in film. Often in regards to social movements happening within America (feminism, divorce rates), the types of male characters changed as well. During the thirty years of film explored through this journal, it can be noted that though certain qualities of males changed, the idea of longing for control and power always prevailed.