How Homosexuality Is Portrayed in the Mainstream - Movie Review Example

Topic: How Homosexuality is portrayed in the mainstream Discuss issues of representation, identity and differences in a range of texts. Film: Victim (1959) Philadelphia (1997) Brokeback Mountain (2005) Insert your name Course name Professor name Date: 6th February 2009 Growing world has faced a lot of changes which is mainly brought by the new century. Among many topics which are being discussed today homosexuality is the most popular. Now this taboo is getting common as people are a lot more comfortable in expressing their sexual relationships than ever because media is playing a massive role in giving maximum exposure to the audiences. The explanation for this are the television programs, novels, magazine and movies which are showing gay relationships and individuals as its main storyline and main characters of the films like Victim, Philadelphia, Broke Back Mountain etc. Homosexuality and relationships are now getting way more acceptable than ever mainly due to mass media. Mainstream media functions very strongly in our society, as it's sometimes a reflection of a society and on another side it's a catalyst which changes a society. Film and theatre are no doubt powerful tools and with all the media coverage which homosexual are receiving, is also one of the reasons one can find many new gay themed movies coming from Hollywood. Usually movies like these totally personify the stereotype of homosexuality from the society. There are many remarkable movies which have gained massive popularity from the masses. Directly or indirectly there are many messages which are sent about gays. Different stereotypes are found in the industry like a picture of homosexual is generated in gay themed movie mostly in a negative way, while a mainstream movie reveal totally opposite side and put some positive light on it. Mainstream movies, nowadays, often include minor characters that are gay. With the addition of so many minor, gay characters, endless stereotypes abound in these mainstream movies. Unfortunately, mainstream movies often focus on the negative stereotypes that have already been generated by society, thereby furthering the impact they have on people's views towards gays. The movies focus on surface-level aspects of homosexuals like the way they act, look, and talk. Most often the movies don't delve into the deeper sides of these characters, thereby sending the message that gays are one-dimensional. Victim (1961) a thriller movie, directed by Basil Dearden is still known as one of the famous homosexual movies of the time. The story is about a successful lawyer Melville Farr (played by Dirk Bogarde); a wedded, secretive homosexual. When his lover dies, a gang of murderers starts blackmailing Farr. Farr, risking his marriage and his flourishing career, decides to find out about the people who were trying to get him. Bogarde's performance is absolute and inscrutable which makes this gripping story emerge as appealing and sharp at the same time. This movie calls for an effort, a pioneer one, by creating an overall sympathy for homosexuals and exposing the English laws that put them in jeopardy which is seen as morally candid, quite amusing and an original thriller. Structurally, it's a slick story revolving around a predatory blackmail ring targets on homosexuals. Addressing to homosexuality in 1960's, the film breaks serious grounds in England and worldwide. In Britain, homosexuality was considered sodomy and had strict laws against it; which were also used by blackmailers to run rampant against the barrister. While a detective inspector Harris (played by John Barrie) was intelligent and understood that this sodomy law is just another trick for the blackmailers to bluff anyone. The movie is no doubt a future of its time and can be given credit to decriminalizing homosexuality in Britain. When the movie was released there were a lot of cases of blackmailing involving homosexuals. The character of Bogarde perfectly represents a victim of blackmailing. This movie very intelligently sent a message that homosexuality in Britain is a crime and homosexuals can be victims as long as the law permitted this. Blackmailing was crucial because the homosexuals were afraid of the harsh jail sentences they may receive. Victim was a benchmark in getting the homosexuals their rights in Britain. Watching this movie now in the 21st century, it may hit to many that homosexuality was illegal fifty years ago. It doesn't mean that homophobia is not a concern these days but no doubt we have passed the huge strides towards approval and leniency in conventional society. But this movie is a forceful work, taking into accounts the British societal customs very bluntly while resolutely being backed up by laws. The main character of Dirk Bogarde, one of Britain's most eminent actors, had done outstanding performance as a troubled lawyer; his pain and anguish can be seen throughout the film. Overall, this film is a tremendous historic morsel at the time of litigious laws and a fine piece of art. Basil Dearden directs intensely and make sure that the script keeps a grip on interest all through. A firm screenplay and fixed direction augment this thriller movie. Although, it was successful in gaining the sympathies for each character from the audiences, even before explaining their course of actions can be named as abnormalities of the characters. The movie has shown a general attitude towards gays and also internalizing the idea by showing them as shameful and abnormal. The dialogues of the movie are very embarrassing even for the gays of today's age. Some might think that the movie Victim is not socially relevant any longer but there are many countries that are still very much anti homosexual. It may be a choice in America, but in other parts of the world people don't even have any choice. This movie is a complex story and leaves the decision on the audience. When the movie released it was banned in United States of America as it used the word 'gay' and 'homosexual' and just like U.K, it was considered a crime in the United States. So it can be said that when this movie was released, homosexuality wasn't a popular topic at the box office. Even though the main character Bogarde is a gay, there is doubt in the movie about him experiencing the gay sex. He is very calm and strong in his personality and it is only seen a few times when he talked out loud, showing traces of anger. Viewers can feel that he is really helpless and he finds it frustrating that homosexuality is actually considered a crime and hates the double standards of the society flourishing. Another thing which is found in the movie is many emotional scenes which were well acted and does not show that the homosexuals are more sensitive as compared to straight men as per taboo. On one side it's a crime thriller and on other side one can study the characters, which is why the movie is entertaining and also giving a strong message. There is a lot of indirect clever script in the movie resulting in covering aims, misdirecting our qualms, deceiving our expectations and finding truth and pride in the scenes between Farr and his wife; it comes as a relief that their prevailing last scene together ends not on some kind of artificial release, but on a note of futile realism. Philadelphia (1993) directed by Jonathan Demme is known as the best and most powerful performance of Tom Hanks's career. The movie discusses the very vast topic of homosexuality and AIDS. It is a very sensitive topic and has covered different moods of experiencing gays, straight men, family issues, deaths. The director is not even trying to be maudlin and has done a very beautiful job. This movie in no doubt is influencing the acceptance of homosexuals in the society. Philadelphia truly tells us about the real picture of how far we have come in this direction and how far we will reach. Andrew Beckett (played by Tom Hanks) is afflicted and an up and coming lawyer in Philadelphia. He is a homosexual and is also a patient of AIDS but he has no other way of keeping it a secret from his conservative boss and to save his job. But when he unexpectedly gets fired, realizing that it's because he has AIDS, makes him determined to fight this case in the court even while he is battling against the disease for life. The lawyer, Joe Miller (played by Denzel Washington), he chooses to represent him has his own fears namely 'homophobia', which needed to be overcome first. During his court battle, Andrew finds out that his lawyer is just another person from the course streets of the town of brotherly love, and after shedding his homophobia he has truly helped Andrew in his case before AIDS surmounts him. The movie is truly an inspirational story written by Geoffrey A. Middleton. It will be nothing wrong if anyone says that it's an emotional and a very tragic story of a lawyer who is vindicating in court for getting fired for just having AIDS. Perhaps this movie can be commended as the best drama movie regarding homosexuals and AIDS. In 1993, AIDS was considered a fatal disease, as is recalled in the early days of every epidemic disease ever. Hence, the movie has shown a reality of AIDS very clearly which is hard to see in affording now. It has touched unexpected places of the lives of many. Ron Vawterm, who is also suffering from AIDS, played another lawyer from the same firm where Andrew worked; his appearance in the movie put everything in the nutshell by clearly showing the reality of AIDS epidemic. Philadelphia is a movie about life and its hardship. Tom Hanks is a brilliant actor and he makes the whole scenario of homosexual strike by AIDS believable. The movie is full of the pull of emotional spectacle in the film provokes the audience in a way that it is just about unbearable to watch it as the film carries on. Jonathan Demme directs the film in both, an arresting and an effortless way which makes the fact of Hanks actually having the horrendous disease believable and makeup adds a lot to the character. A round of applause to everyone concerned for making this a worthwhile film. Philadelphia arouses such deep emotions that it can be justly called a marvellous movie. It's a story about a lawyer, played Tom Hanks, suffering from a terrible disease. As Andrew Beckett, he knows what his rights are and what exactly justice is; a credible act. What Mr. Hanks accomplished by playing this role is that he successfully break the stereotypes of the society which are dictated on the average gay man. The character in the movie is not, in anyway, feminine; it shows that an average gay man is not someone as acknowledged by the stereotypic society. Andrew Beckett does not have any inclination for holding his arms limp-wristed, shoe shopping, or talking with a lisp. Assessing that Tom Hanks was hardly plausible as a gay man is only because it is thought he is not acting like one which is disagreeable. Just because Andrew Beckett is like any other normal man who takes pleasure in smoking cigars and joy in practicing the law who would even think he was gay; which is precisely the purpose of the movie. Not having a low-pitched voice or wearing tassel-decorated loafers does not mean a man is not gay and for that reason, he can be your gym partner and you may walk beside him everyday and see him at school, too. They deserve to be treated with matching behaviour because they are men after all and in most places, gay men are just like straight ones. Tom Hanks is acclaimed all over for making us realize that gay men are as masculine as any other. There could not be a better deserving actor for the Oscar he was awarded with, for that movie was a remarkable landmark. Brokeback Mountain (2005) directed by Ang Lee is a premises on the short story by Annie Proulx. The movie is one of its own kinds. This movie has been so successful that it hit like a bullet in the hearts of the audience transfixing them. Brokeback Mountain is a cinematic landmark for the audience and also an accomplishment for the lead actors, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, who are amazingly able to bring profound reserves of feeling into this insolently erotic tale of love about two cowboys and how their outer and inner forces drive them from desire to denial. The plot of the film is set in the year 1963 where two young cowboys, Ennis Del Mar (played by Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), meet on a job as shepherds and passionately fall in love with each other declaring their silent heterosexuality. Their non-physical relationship later changed into the physical one but when the summer is over everything between them also ends. Both of them go on with their lives; one gets married and has two kids while the other marries into a boomed business. They do have a small reunion many years later; the replenishment of intense emotional feelings they felt for each other eons ago and then again was mutual for both of them. This fact made them realize that if this relationship goes public it will cost them a lot. Just how they managed without each other all those years wasn't there for the audience to see, but they were shown wondering if their relationship would have ever lasted in this world. Their show of intimacy and cuddling in a motel bed when they meet again is full of deep-rooted hunger. But while they discuss their inevitable but impossible future together is seen as both stunning and honest at the same time. Brokeback Mountain is an eccentric love story which is carefully attuned and does not offend anyone in any way. It is the story of a time when homosexuals were forced to deny their only great passion they ever felt. Alma (played by Michelle Williams) as Ennis's wife in the movie is vulnerable. The wives of Ennis and Jack do not end up finding out much detail about their husbands; Ennis and Jack are the typical guys from the 1960's era. Ennis is the more aggressive in their relationship; it does seem as if he is trying very hard to keep his emotions to himself. He left a blank space in his persona for the audience to fill. Although Ennis played the feminine role more on a subtle side, he is not at all like the typical gay stereotype. He more of a man intended on living a simple life out of attention. Though Jack was the one who initiated their sexual encounter in the first place, in his relationship with Ennis, Jack is submissive but also has a firm stand in his persuasions. He is of a restless sort but he is the one who is the epitome of heartbreak in the history of all the universal tragedies. The movie strongly shows its audience that the real men are in true love without any type of sissy touch in them. Viewers can see the actual love in them not at all like the expected gay love and that's why many people had tears in their eyes by the time they saw the last scene. It does leave a lasting effect on its viewers which is why the movie had won so many awards. But for all the complexities of a story about two wedded men who are having an affair with each other, the movie no doubt very beautifully maintains an expressive distance from its theme by focusing almost solely on the involvement of men, both of them whose characters trying to stuff their feelings to one degree or another. Although, Victim was made in the actual 1960's and Brokeback Mountain was set in that era while being made in the millennium; the list of similarities ends on the characters in the movies as homosexual married men. Though, both movies are realistic, Victim is a movie of a time when people took advantage of homosexuals by any means while the latter is a story about real love between homosexuals. Love between homosexuals is not a sensitive issue for many people; it is mostly scoffed at and is seen as unlikely to happen. Victim eventually, called off sodomy in Britain and was an eye-opener; it made people realize that being a gay is not a crime and that prevented the perpetual blackmailing from occurring. It showed that homosexuals are men with feelings after all just like the widely-acclaimed movie, Philadelphia. Philadelphia makes the realization hit home that homosexuals were unknowingly a very big part of the AIDS epidemic that surrounded the globe in the 1990's. AIDS affected people were treated like untouchable and they were isolated from the society where common people started ruling them. This movie covered a different aspect that people were dismissed from their jobs for having AIDS; they didn't have any choice and being a homosexual on top of that was an even bigger risk for losing dignity by being exposed. True that many parts of the world still are inflexible about the existence and rights of homosexuals, countries like USA and UK have finally accepted it and for them, the fact that as long as fifty years back it was a crime is highly implausible though true. Defending oneself was an act of courage in the movie Philadelphia; as the main character realizes that he got fired on the basis of having AIDS and not because of his incompetence in his career as a lawyer. Brokeback Mountain although deals with homosexuality it mainly tightropes on the subject of affection between homosexuals. Accommodating the truth of falling in love with the same gender in one's mind is not possible because it is thought that gays find pleasure alone in bodily attraction rather than by falling in love and that that's the only reason for being one. But this movie absolutely questions our view by making us to stop and realize that if it was the other way round, life would surely be callous. A couple forced to deny their feelings and unwillingly marry and have children just to show the society that they are capable men are also compelled by their own emotions to accept their nature from time to time. Their physical and emotional bonding is real and a love that is thwarted. The portrayal of homosexuality in the movie is pioneering although it has been a heated topic for people with conservative attitudes. In Victim, the wife of Farr was aware of his husband's homosexual tendencies and when he decides to challenge the blackmailers he has to deal with her, too. But it is seen that his wife eventually comes to terms with that fact even when he has been thoroughly exposed. It is still known as one of the greatest gay movies ever made. It was the first movie depicting the homosexual society in all its nature. Philadelphia doesn't deal with the scene of Hanks explaining his life to his lawyer with lame dialogue or sentimental expulsions of sincerity but with brilliance originality. This film is a morbid fictional one but also true of the account of the severe mental and physical anguish of an AIDS victim and the despair and prejudice he faces because of it. It also has a minor point of being subjected by racism as the character's lawyer is black. When we come across at the stereotypes which are generated by society or through the media, we can easily gauge the influence and manipulation done by media on our society in regard to the homosexuals. There are so many different portrayals of gays/homosexuals that it's still embarrassing for many to watch them and expressing themselves as one of them. The correct portrayal is still unknown; some thinks they are sissy and of a feminine sort while others think them mostly as being represented in a comic way but then the same thing can be said for the heterosexuals. The point is that it is absurd and usually hurtful to bolt someone or a group on the way they are being like that. Homosexuals are harmless people who have learned to keep to themselves because of what have been inflicted upon them by the society. The biggest step now is accepting them as men of equal class as any other man in the world and to realize that they are not above or below us in any way. We should accept the fact that everyone is different and being typecast are the tiniest part of their personality. So as a society we should start thinking about things which are bigger than life and accept the diversities and true colours of the world. Reference Byer, C. & Shainberg, L. (1994). Dimensions of human sexuality. Brown & Benchmark. (pp.386). Read More