Representation of Men - Timeline

1940s’ – Men were represented as the main breadwinners of the household, while it was the women’s job to stay in and look after the home and children.

Most advertisements were aimed towards men, mainly focusing on products like cigarettes, alcohol and cars.

A man wasn’t seen as successful if he didn’t have a high paying career, a wife, a nice house and children to go with it.

1960s’ – From Russia with Love (1963)

Bond is the main and dominant role is this film, he is always seen as in control of the situation and even of the Women around him.

Bond is portrayed as very dominant, a mans man basically, he treats women as second class citizens and objects of his own sexual desire, E.G: The male gaze.

-       Alfie (1966)

Main character Alfie (portrayed by actor Michael Caine) also treats women as objects, so much so that he often refers to many of the women he’s been with as “It”.

During his monologues, spoken directly to the camera, he is often very rude and impersonal to the women he knows, calling them stupid and talking about them in a very derogative way.

Character grows and develops personally throughout the film, learning from his mistakes and trying to correct them in the process, ultimately fails however, as none of his past lovers want him back. Alfie is also shown to receive a sort of “comeuppance” at the end of the film, finding his current interest in bed with another younger man.

1970s’ – Kramer Vs Kramer (1978)

Character of Ted Kramer reinforces the media’s idea about male gender in terms of values and traits; for example, he has a well-paid job and nice flat, thus meaning he is a success.

Character of Joanna Kramer however, has interesting gender representation as she rejects stereotypical role, leaving her husband and child, stating that she isn’t a good mother.

Throughout the film, you see a change and challenge of Ted Kramer’s gender role in terms of being a more sensitive and caring father.

1990s’ – Thelma + Louise (1990)

Men are represented in a very negative way, very much reinforces stereotypes of men in terms of their values and traits; JD, Earl and Harlan are all examples of this.

Men are often passive, were as women are active, the women are central characters.

These “strong, independent and powerful” women show masculinity in crisis.

Brad Pitt represents the sexual objectification of the male body, this sort of this was also seen in advertising, E.G: Calvin Klein, Men’s underwear.

- Golden eye (1995)

Bond now has a Female boss, an older woman, which demonstrates how times have changed drastically.

The film makes reference to masculinity in crisis.

-       The Full Monty (1999)

The main characters reinforce the generic British male stereotype, displaying brutish behavior. The whole film makes reference to masculinity in crisis, yet managing to make it humorous, giving something for the male audience to relate to.