Masculinity in Film – Charlie Dillon
Traditionally, media texts have generally constructed men to conform to specific ideals understood by society regarding masculinity and the idyllic male qualities. These principles rewarded male characters for dominance over others, aggression, financial independence and physical desirability. In the film School Ties (1992), directed by Robert Mandel, Charlie Dillon (Matt Damon) is represented as a character who fits these stereotypical beliefs of dominant masculinity. Initially Mandel positions the audience to view Charlie Dillon as an insecure and arrogant young man. As the film progresses, Mandel manipulates the narrative, symbolic and technical elements of film techniques to foreground the revelation …show more content…
“I envy you. If you get what you want, you’ll deserve it, and if you don’t, you’ll manage. You don’t have to live up to anyone else’s expectations. That’s really what draws people to you; it’s not that you’re the cool quarterback.” Charlie says these words to David as they are alone talking one night. It is clear in this scene that Charlie is envious of David, not just his football skills or social skills, but also the fact that David will be alright, no matter what the outcome, unlike himself. The symbolic elements of sound effects and scene design are utilised in this scene by using unseen night-time sounds such as crickets chirping and croaking frogs with a dark and uninviting background on the edge of a still creek. This arrangement presents an obscure and enigmatic atmosphere surrounding the two boys talking. The true nature of Charlie Dillon is finally revealed when he takes some cheat sheets into his History exam to make sure he passes, so that his reputation will continue to shine with his excellence in school. His plan goes awry when David confronts him about the cheating, as he had seen him with the cheat sheets in the exam. Charlie says he will confess but instead blames it on David. Out of desperation and fear of failure the epitome of Charlie Dillon’s true nature is finally revealed to the audience by showing the extent to which Charlie would go to preserve his reputation and to acquire
Traditionally, media texts have generally constructed men to conform to specific ideals understood by society regarding masculinity and the idyllic male qualities. These principles rewarded male characters for dominance over others, aggression, financial independence and physical desirability. In the film School Ties (1992), directed by Robert Mandel, Charlie Dillon (Matt Damon) is represented as a character who fits these stereotypical beliefs of dominant masculinity. Initially Mandel positions the audience to view Charlie Dillon as an insecure and arrogant young man. As the film progresses, Mandel manipulates the narrative, symbolic and technical elements of film techniques to foreground the revelation …show more content…
“I envy you. If you get what you want, you’ll deserve it, and if you don’t, you’ll manage. You don’t have to live up to anyone else’s expectations. That’s really what draws people to you; it’s not that you’re the cool quarterback.” Charlie says these words to David as they are alone talking one night. It is clear in this scene that Charlie is envious of David, not just his football skills or social skills, but also the fact that David will be alright, no matter what the outcome, unlike himself. The symbolic elements of sound effects and scene design are utilised in this scene by using unseen night-time sounds such as crickets chirping and croaking frogs with a dark and uninviting background on the edge of a still creek. This arrangement presents an obscure and enigmatic atmosphere surrounding the two boys talking. The true nature of Charlie Dillon is finally revealed when he takes some cheat sheets into his History exam to make sure he passes, so that his reputation will continue to shine with his excellence in school. His plan goes awry when David confronts him about the cheating, as he had seen him with the cheat sheets in the exam. Charlie says he will confess but instead blames it on David. Out of desperation and fear of failure the epitome of Charlie Dillon’s true nature is finally revealed to the audience by showing the extent to which Charlie would go to preserve his reputation and to acquire