Film Review 3: Tough Guise

The main thesis of the film “Tough Guise” is the men need to be masculine, tough and violent to be recognized as a real man. Anything feminine or gay is to be hated and looked down upon in order for the male to prove what it take to be a man in society, One other feature of this film that is boldly emphasized is the male body and physical strength a man must have in order to gain respect. In many ways this is through violence.

The main arguments to support the thesis were in the opening minutes of the film when a group of men were asked the meaning of a real man. Many of them said the same descriptions, like tough and masculine. The men were then asked the consequences that come with not being masculine or fitting the male perception. They said words like “Soft, fag or pussy” would be used to describe the male not fitting the perceptions.

This film relates to the course because we have continually discussing deviance and deviant behavior. In the book Readings in Deviant Behavior there is a section called “What Triggers School Shootings?” which covers the bullying of homophobic people in high schools. In this chapter it mentions that most violence is committed by men. In relation to the film and the course, it gives the notion that men need to be a certain way because that is how society wants it. What we see in media and advertising really hints that this is the ways things are supposed to be when in fact they aren’t.

The point I found most convincing was action figures scene. They compare 40 years of masculine development to action figures like, GI Joe, Batman and Superman. It is impossible to the male figure to look like that. It shows the deception in sizes and ability which gives a false perception to boys that that’s how a man looks and acts. This relates the class discussion about deviant bodies and how society views people based on their size and ability. What I found least convincing was that movies and music were the problem. They do contribute very little in part to the problem. Not all movies and films are impacting the society.

If I were to conduct a study around this I would conduct it around boys aged 5 -18. I would study the young boy’s perception of a “real man”. Then study their perceptions when they become 18. I would like to see the differences on the issue of masculinity. The age difference and years of being in this society should make the study more legitimate.