Define Culture 2: Masculinity

Cinema has grown as an effective tool for exploring and criticising society’s norms and behaviours in recent years. Three films in particular have approached the topic of masculinity in unique ways, shining a light on the poison and vanity that have tainted the core of being a man. American Psycho, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Fight Club are all moving depictions of the complexity of masculinity and how it has been tainted by cultural forces. However, it is crucial to highlight that these films have frequently been misinterpreted by viewers who have taken their depictions of masculinity literally.

The film American Psycho, directed by Mary Harron and based on Bret Easton Ellis' novel of the same name, offers an unsettling glimpse into the life of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker who hides his psychopathic tendencies behind a façade of success and charisma. The film tackles the concept that success in a hyper-masculine business culture frequently comes at the sacrifice of one's humanity through Bateman's character. His concern with wealth, superficiality, and aggressive inclinations highlights the erasure of true masculinity.

Similarly, Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker whose unrestrained ambition and hedonistic lifestyle embody toxic masculinity, as shown in Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street. Belfort's ravenous greed, drug addiction, and objectification of women are the results of a culture that values riches, power, and dominance over true human connection and ethical behaviour.

Fight Club, directed by David Fincher and based on Chuck Palahniuk's novel, delves into modern masculinity's disillusionment. As a reaction to the emasculating consequences of materialism and conformity, the film's anonymous narrator, played by Edward Norton, organises an underground combat club. Fight Club is a satire on how cultural expectations may limit individualism and drive men to destructive outlets in their search for a feeling of identity and power.

It is crucial to highlight that certain groups have distorted these films by taking their representations of masculinity literally. Some people mistook Patrick Bateman, Jordan Belfort, and the unnamed narrator for role models, failing to recognise the films' criticism of their actions. This misunderstanding underscores the delicate line that exists in the field of cinema between criticism and praise.

The notorious business card scene in American Psycho powerfully depicts the culture of male ego rivalry. Patrick Bateman and his coworkers compete for the most distinguished business card in a shallow and delightfully ludicrous competition. This incident wonderfully illustrates how guys frequently compare themselves based on little aspects in order to prove their masculinity. The pursuit of such flimsy success indicators promotes the poisonous masculinity that these films criticise.

The films American Psycho, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Fight Club act as strong mirrors that reflect the negative consequences of toxic masculinity on individuals and society. While these films are important in igniting debates about masculinity and its ills, they must be regarded critically and not as encouragement of destructive behaviour. In a world where the borders of masculinity are shifting, it is critical to recognise and confront the challenges raised by these films in order to pave the way for healthier and more authentic masculine expressions. Finally, the exploration of masculinity in film helps society to confront and revise ideas about what it means to be a modern man.