Masculinity in Steel Magnolias

As I’ve had my go at Feminism in The Hunger Games a few weeks ago, I was definitely interested to voice my opinion on masculinity in movies. This week, Cinema and Society class got me thinking beyond the gender gap but  on the “expectations” we have going in on powerful males, and male feminism through gender socialization. Gender socialization starts at a very early age, where people learn the norms related to sex and gender within a social construction.

            Where the 70’s was an embrace of feminism, the 80’s was definitely the decade where films attempted to “re-masculinize” men. Both movies in comparison are Herbert Ross directed films, one of which was “Play it again, Sam!” (1972, staring Woody Allen) was centered on a the male (feminine, looking for a partner) lead, “Steel Magnolias” (1989) on the other hand, was very feminine but also questioned masculinity. For example, the movie’s opening shot is a women screaming because of male characters shooting at birds while they  are getting ready for a “pink and blush-y” wedding. 

            It was listed as one of the 10 movies that make men cry: “"Steel Magnolias"… is another one of those movies that will just tug at your soft spot. Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, and Sally Field bring on the tears, whether you're a man or a woman.”

 

The Funeral Scene

         

              One of the most poignant quotes is from Sally Field’s character M’Lynn Eaterton, who addresses the divide directly: “I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby's hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life.”

The idea widely accepted idea for men was that it was only acceptable to cry during a victory. In an article entitled “When is it Okay for a Man to Cry?” by the Art of Manliness (I kid you not, this is what the website is called).

The list names a few:

• Shawshank Redemption (Prison, Victory)
• The Pride of the Yankees (Victory)
• Saving Private Ryan (…)
• Braveheart (Victory)
• Friday Night Lights (Victory)
• We Were Soldiers (I mean…)
• Gladiator (Victory)
• The Champ (Victory)
• Glory (Need I go on?)

And also goes on to list the movies that men should never cry during:

• Steel Magnolias (feminine)
• Little Women (feminine)
• Jerry Maguire (male femininity)
• The Notebook (TEARS to no end) 

 The funny thing is, that it seems second nature to dismiss Steel Magnolias as a movie purely for the enjoyment of women. In an article on the American Politician Cory Booker, Jezbel’s headline reads: “Watching Steel Magnolias Makes Him Cry: Cory Booker is Just like Us.” To which, I conclude that the line between masculinity and feminity is thick, it’s definitely crossed in certain movies. (Or perhaps just a PR strategy to get people to like Cory Booker.) Whichever it is, Steel Magnolias is still an exceptional film (as is everything else Sally Field has appeared in.)

 

Pictures credit: TriStar pictures (Steel Magnolias) and Paramount Pictures (Play it Again, Sam!)