The role and representation of men Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The role and representation of men - Essay Example man as weak and vulnerable, yet often such film makes a point of portraying this as a tragedy, an injustice in which man is stripped of his natural power. In stark contrast; the female role is often a vulnerable one – she is the beautiful daughter or the caring wife – she is the home-maker who cooks the meals and cleans the house; she is the child-bearer. Such stereotypical portrayals of the sexes are indeed extremely common, and have roots in the age-old status roles which men and women took centuries ago. This essay will focus on the role of the male in film; it will assess which forms the male role has taken in film and for which message it was intended to portray. Film media plays an immense role in portraying the stereotypical roles of men and women on the screen. As has already been stated, the male role is often connected with masculinity, and all that comes with this label; namely independence, financial success, violence, aggression and physical attractiveness. Men suffering problems are portrayed as ‘drinking’ them away or using methods of violence to ease the anger associated with the problem. A ‘real’ man is portrayed as muscular, harsh, well-endowed and often is a womaniser because of these qualities. It is almost as if these qualities give the male a reason, or a right to such womanising activities. The French male role is often the suave, less masculine in terms of violence, yet more beautiful and poetic. Entre nous depicts and accentuates the difference between the ideal and the typical male role. It portrays the ability of the female characters in constructing a network of friendship and mutual support, in which they are able to establish and maintain a form of independence from their husbands. In this film, the male role depicts that of the caring husband, the admirer of his wife and daughters, the provider of the family, yet in a less masculine sense. By depicting the women in this manner, the film manages to accentuate