Films: 300 (2006) – Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) – Fight Club (1999)
versus Dead Poets Society (1989) Good Will Hunting (1997) & The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Discussion: It was incredibly easy to find films that feature violent, sexist, homophobic men, but much more difficult to find films that feature good, male role models. Why do you think this is? Throughout film, including animated film, men are often shown as being either hyper-aggressive to the point of violence (hundreds of titles), extremely sexist and homophobic (Hot Tub Time Machine), or oafish (Homer Simpson), but it is rare for film to depict men as kind and caring. This week’s discussion will ask you to offer examples of good men in film that defy the stereotype of violent, controlling, sexist, emotionally stoic men who dominate movies. Films like Good Will Hunting and The Pursuit of Happyness are rare, even though they show what men can be when they are emotionally whole, kind, empathic, and striving to be better.
Sample Solution