Description: Sexism is the common enemy of both masculism and feminism. Sexist views confine men and women into socially constructed roles that are separate and oppressive, as individuals are constrained by expectations of behaviour taught within ideological state apparatus. But whilst Film Academia is rich with feminist critique, the term 'masculism' is barely defined for use. This study will begin to address the imbalance, providing a critique of oppressive representations of the male in modern Hollywood cinema. The lack of the masculist approach in academic Film Criticism has made it too comfortable for film to objectify the male in films without challenge, and channel them into oppressive role structures. A range of academic sources are explored, and films such as Thelma and Louise, Die Hard and Fight Club analysed to make a case for a masculist critique.
