Manly Misogynistic Movies

           When one searches for synonyms for the word “manly” the words heroic, bold, muscular, confident, powerful, firm, and strong show up most often. As discussed in the Byron Hurt discussion with Michael Eric Dyson, many of America’s most popular forms of entertainment feature men in a starring role committing violent, even abusive actions, to themselves or others. Although their discussion is mainly in the context of black men and black culture, there is not solely an image issue within hiphop’s portrayal of masculinity. Unlike in the heyday of MTV or VH1, when seeing men acting in crass and vulgar ways in music videos was ubiquitous, music videos are less popular and less watched. They are not shown on television with as much hype and popularity as movies and television shows are. For this reason, cinematic portrayal of men in general is the main cause for today’s image of how a man is supposed to act and what he should look like. The issue with hypermasculinity and movies has existed since the art forms creation.

As far back as the time of Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando men in movies have been portrayed as smoking and drinking womanizers. In the movies they are heralded for their “acting” as a “tough” man. However, the way that they acted in the movies was not so different from the way they acted in their real lives. In their real lives the men were almost mirror images of the men they acted like. In Brando’s most famous performance as Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams’, “A Streetcar Named Desire”, he plays a drunk and abusive rapist (Williams). Although not as bad, in real life he had 5 spouses, multiple affairs, and as many as 17 children. This shows a general lack of respect for women within his real life as well as his on screen life. Brando was lauded for his role both on the screen and on the stage. He was also seen as portraying a “man who gets and does what he wants”, a “man’s man” (McDonough, 24-26).

Sinatra in both movies and in real life frequently had dealings with the mob. In the movie “Guys and Dolls”, Sinatra and Brando both play illegal gamblers who chase women. In a more tame and old school way, the men show a similar lifestyle to that of modern rap music videos. The men both have their “hoes”, but would never marry them because they really want a “good sister”. They have a lifestyle of “M.O.B (money over bitches)” just like Dyson mentions in his discussion. Brando’s character makes a bet with Sinatra’s and whoever wins gets to have the girl. Their “gangster” lifestyle is intriguing to the women they attract despite their brutish nature. Sinatra and Brando were considered very cool at the time and were looked up to by many young men for the way that they acted despite (or perhaps because of) their wrongful actions. Although Brando and Sinatra acted and lived in a different time, the ideals they portrayed are no different than those of today. That of a rough and tough man who does what he wants with women, and gets his way.

The hypermasculinity of men in movies has not gone away, but has in fact become even more accepted and commonplace. One of the most violent, most suave, and most masculine movie characters has spanned multiple generations and actors. James Bond is one of the most famous and celebrated movie characters of all time and yet he commits egregious acts of violence and promiscuity. Sean Connery’s iteration of James Bond was less cold calculated killer and more of a smooth talking lady’s man who happened to be a spy. He sleeps with multiple women each movie, treats them as inferior, hits them, and is a misogynist.

As shown in the clip, Sean Connery’s Bond, introduces Dink to Felix and then says, “Dink say goodbye to Felix...uhh man talk” (Campbell). Bond acts as though Dink will not be able to understand their conversation. Despite this overt misogyny, Connery’s Bond is considered one of the best portrayals of the character. His Bond is an example of popularized abuse of women similar to that of Nelly’s “Tip Drill” music video. Although much less vulgar, the same sentiment is there. In real life Sean Connery has controversial views on actions towards women as well. He certainly believes that the actions of James Bond are justified:

PLAYBOY: How do you feel about roughing up a woman, as Bond sometimes has to do?

CONNERY: I don't think there is anything particularly wrong about hitting a woman--although I don't recommend doing it in the same way that you'd hit a man. An openhanded slap is justified--if all other alternatives fail and there has been plenty of warning. If a woman is a bitch, or hysterical, or bloody-minded continually, then I'd do it. I think a man has to be slightly advanced, ahead of the woman. I really do--by virtue of the way a man is built, if nothing else. But I wouldn't call myself sadistic. I think one of the appeals that Bond has for women, however, is that he is decisive, cruel even. By their nature women aren't decisive--"Shall I wear this? Shall I wear that?"--and along comes a man who is absolutely sure of everything and he's a godsend. And, of course, Bond is never in love with a girl and that helps. He always does what he wants, and women like that. It explains why so many women are crazy about men who don't give a rap for them.

PLAYBOY: Do you think it's OK to tell a woman you love her in order to get her into bed?

CONNERY: You can say something, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is so. I think before words came along there was always physical contact and physical satisfaction. There may be things said afterward just as there are things said before. But the action came first--then the word.

If Sean Connery is the womanizing misogynistic James Bond, then Daniel Craig is the hypermasculine Bond. Craig’s version of Bond certainly sleeps around, but he shows the violent side to Bond. 

In the clip, Craig smashes through walls, fences, concrete, kills, maims, and generally causes destruction while seeming effortlessly cool. His actions do not seem to be problematic because he seems to be so calm and collected while doing them. This nonchalant way of portraying violence is one of the biggest problems with movies today. They glorify violence in a way that is completely opposite to real life. The James Bond films are some of the best examples of films that are widely celebrated and hugely popular, yet have a main character whose repugnant actions are overlooked by viewers.

Although the context is different, the content of music videos and movies is very similar. Michael Eric Dyson and Byron Hurt briefly mention the pervasion of violence and injustice in movies, but I think that the content and actions show in movies is much worse than in music videos because they are more widespread. A music video may only be seen by the dedicated followers of an artist, but a movie is meant to appeal and be seen by millions. For this reason, until the general population stops viewing media that portrays men as brutish, aggressive, womanizing, etc. those are the characteristics men will continue to have thrust upon them.