Movies reflect the changing roles of men in the 21st century. Here is what our community says about an iconic one.
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Movies are powerful because they engage our emotions like no other art form can. Movies reflect the culture, but they can also change it. And whenever we engage with movies, we often see ourselves reflected in the characters, and we come away changed.
We’ve asked some of our regular writers to share how specific movies have impacted their thinking about men. Our objective is to find the intersection between these films and the themes and topics we address at The Good Men Project. We asked them questions like:
- How does the film deal with a topic that is relevant to men or affects them in a significant way?
- How does the film portray men and masculine stereotypes? Was it positive or negative, and could they be challenged?
- Does the story offer advice or examples for a positive shift in perceptions of men? How?
- Does the story illustrate equality or inequality, and does it advocate for marginalized groups?
A number of panelists commented on Dead Poets Society, the 1989 classic starring Robin Williams as a teacher who inspires his students to love poetry and calls them to seize the day.
Read the comments from our panel of writers after you watch this classic clip from the movie. Please share your comments too, we’d love to feature some your thoughts in another post.
Here are the GMP Perspectives:
“Even though Robin William’s character in Dead Poets Society is that of a teacher, and not a father, the movie is one of the most iconic “Dad” movies ever made. Williams in a fatherly position, influences a class of boys to look beyond the dead poets on the pages of old books and to allow their creative and individual expressions to flourish. In this regard, the film’s message to men is one that points out the need to be driven not by tradition and cliche, but rather by the inner drivings of their human soul. It also shows that such a drive is not without cost, and the opposing oppression can be life threatening.
Ultimately, in an iconic scene when Williams’s character is fired and being sent from the room, the students leap to their desktops to declare their loyalty. In doing so, they send the message how the oppressed may find strength in community, the contagion of inspiration, and definition that the true rite of passage for a man is to find his own voice.”
Rob Watson, Lead Editor Dads and Families, The Good Men Project
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“Dead Poets Society is often portrayed as an allegory for homosexual acceptance, despite it including no openly gay characters or even subtle homosexual behavior. The trouble with this idea is that implies boys sharing poetry, acting in Shakespearian plays and expressing emotion must be “gay.” Instead, this film needs to be held up as one of the best examples of the importance of male expression, regardless of sexual orientation.”
Gail Hoffer-Loibl, The Good Men Project Author
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“Robin Williams channeled his mania into a hybrid coach/teacher/therapist in two of his greatest films, Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting. He was an accessible adult male role model to boys coming of age through the pain and alienation of young adulthood. Robin Williams was their life raft in the sea silence that society expects from young men. Heartbreakingly, this is not a case of life imitating art as the actor ended it all, ensuring that he will never find the support for himself that he offered on film for so many others.”
Anna Palmer, The Good Men Project Author
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“Dead Poets Society is so deceptively powerful that it snuck up on me like a philosophical ideal and then planted itself in my brain for the rest of my life. Robin Williams proved in this performance that funny and profound can continue to live together in harmony if an artist works so hard that sweat becomes concrete. The nobility of the teaching profession is so perfectly and humbly illustrated in this master work that you almost miss the unlimited power of optimism in youth and friendship for life, but you don’t, because the layers resonate. I love this movie for the song it sings, the chant it chants.”
Ken Goldstein, Board Member and The Good Men Project Author
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“Dead Poets Society is like a starter’s guide for men allowing themselves to feel their feelings. It makes it really uncomfortable, so you never forget what you learned. And who doesn’t love standing on a desk saluting a captain?”
Feelings Detective, The Good Men Project Author
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“In 1989 as a senior in High School with the world in front of me, Dead Poets Society opened my eyes as a know it all young adult, to the world of aspirations, difficult decisions, and how we could make mistakes, yet still live and come back with integrity. “O Captain!” was a battle cry for the humbled to rally around.”
Sean Ackerman, The Good Men Project Author
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“Did you ever notice how alive Neil becomes when he decides to audition for the part of Puck? How alive he is when he’s rehearsing, when he’s performing? Of course we notice how NOT alive he is after his confrontation with his father, but notice too the contrast between the driven roboton of a student we meet in the beginning of the movie; the man-child who knows his destiny because he knows what is expected of him, versus the awakened artist, the poet with a leafy crown and bright eyes who takes the stage, the blossoming dreamer who has begun to believe that he might be in charge of his own fate.
That is what we do to men when we feed their dreams, or when we kill them. As parents, as friends, as lovers, as mentors, as influences in their lives — we have that power. We can awaken their inner artist. Or we can kill their self-identity. Not all of them will choose to die a physical death, but when the dreamer dies so too does beauty.”
Dixie Gillaspie, Managing Editor, The Good Men Project
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Photo: Touchstone Pictures
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If anything, the movie should inspire you to READ the poetry and works that were featured. Shakespear of course – but I would start with Thoreau’s Walden. The individual can stand against, and without society.
Excellent observations!
What a powerful obsevation by Dixie Gillespie who notes, “That is what we do to men when we feed their dreams, or when we kill them. As parents, as friends, as lovers, as mentors, as influences in their lives — we have that power. We can awaken their inner artist. Or we can kill their self-identity. Not all of them will choose to die a physical death, but when the dreamer dies so too does beauty.” So many men have their dreams killed at an early age when they’re turned from wild-man poets and dreamers into practical, safer, “tamed” eunuchs,… Read more »
That truly was a beautiful movie on so many levels. So kudos to the director who wrung every ounce of the human heart out of it. But my favorite movie of all time is also a Robin Williams film. “The Fisher king” talk about humanity! Both he and Jeff bridges were phenomenal and the special effects so incredible to emulate insanity.
Great job launching this new feature section, Kent! Can’t wait to see our house archive expand and become a reference point for ongoing conversation around old movies and new!